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General discussion

using camcorder for webcam?

Apr 6, 2010 3:45AM PDT

I recently purchased a Canon FS200 to record church services. It has worked well, including the external mic jack. However, it appears that this camcorder cannot transfer live video, like a webcam, to an online site such as Ustream. Are there any software recommendations that can convert the webcam? If not, are there other camcorders that do provide this feature? The camcorder would need to have an optical zoom. Thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Why this is not done.
Apr 6, 2010 3:48AM PDT

Why this is not done has been discussed many times. Let's keep it short.

These camcorders are not built to run for hours at a time. And if someone did issue a driver you might sue them when the camcorder dies in a few days.

A web cam is the cheap fix.
Bob

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Webcam suggestion
Apr 6, 2010 4:36AM PDT

I appreciate your response. I do, however, need something that can zoom in from distances over 50 feet. Do you have any webcam suggestions that can zoom that far?

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Lots of gear out there.
Apr 6, 2010 4:44AM PDT

If you want to burn up a few camcorders look at connecting the camera with firewire and use Adobe Premiere to directly capture the content. Figure about 1K for the budget.

Again the reason the web cam is not done with camcorders is well known. I want to not write again and again about that. Sorry.
Bob

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Camcorders wearing out?? Not
Jan 16, 2011 11:53PM PST

I have been running a variety of camcorders providing a live stream to Ustream for over a year. They run 24 hours a day and they are often in the sun and i have had no problems. There are several people on the internet who keep peddling this mis information; i doubt they have tested any web cams. The 3 camcorders i use (and they give directions on how to use them as a web cam) are from Panasonic and i don't think they are made anymore.

Panasonic Model PV-GS85 (not the GS80)
Panasonic Model SDR-150
Panasonic PV-GS400

I wish Ustream users would please share the information about what camcorders they use; it is very hard to get good information from others (as the above) and especially from the manufacturer. They often say, yes a camera works as a web cam when what they really mean it that you can transfer video (already recorded) directly to YouTube etc. My guess is the cam corder makers must have to make a choice and so far YouTube is more popular than Ustream

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I like those models.
Jan 18, 2011 6:51AM PST

You have models that stand up to the camcorder streaming. This is not mis-information. Once you lose a camera over this, you figure it out.

You did pick models I've either owned or used that stand up to long hours of on time.
Bob

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Let's get back to Ustream use.
Apr 6, 2010 4:50AM PDT

It seems other temples do this. Read http://www.krishna.com/en/node/1153 and we see the usual AXIS cameras and more.

Again, your average camcorder is not suitable for this sort of use.
bob

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Camcorders can be used like webcams
Jul 23, 2010 1:38PM PDT

Many camcorders can be used like webcams and when you are capturing video for church services, it is much better to use a camcorder than a webcam. You just have to purchase one with firewire or a USB with that feature. It will not wear out the camcorder any quicker than if you are just recording the service and then transferring the video later. In fact, it may wear it out less, since you are not having to run the video twice.