Multiple switchable cameras in Zoom

[CoolC]

Is there a quick and dirty way to have multiple cameras that can be switched between in a Zoom call?

We want to test a proof of concept to deliver our usual in-house training out to customers in their own locations. The product we sell and therefore train is close up detailed stuff, so as a test to see if it would work in a Zoom (doesn't have to be Zoom) call we would like to set up two or three cameras that can be switched between. One wide to cover the talking about the subject and then a couple in closer to the piece to show the detail of what's happening at particular times.

This is a test to see if it would work in practical terms and if it does then a more professional set up can be invested in.

Between us, we've got a few different cameras and tripods etc, but don't really understand how to, if it's possible, do the switching between them and what would be needed to do that.

TIA

[zbc]

We do something similar at work but set up each camera as a separate connection to the call so that participants can choose to switch between them.

[robbieduncan]

I think (although I've never done it) you can use OBS (https://obsproject.com) with Zoom

[Mr Pointy]

CoolC said:

Between us, we've got a few different cameras and tripods etc, but don't really understand how to, if it's possible, do the switching between them and what would be needed to do that.

What sort of cameras are you talking about? Are they webcams or video cameras maybe with HDMI out?

[Mr Pointy]

Have a look at the Blackmagic Designs ATEM Mini:

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/atemm...

It's a little box you plug up to four HDMI sources/cameras into & you can cut (& more) between them - it's a mini vision mixer. The output is on HDMI & USB so it looks like a camera to software like Skype & Zoom. All this for just £245.

Edited by Mr Pointy on Wednesday 9th September 18:26

[CoolC]

Mr Pointy said:

CoolC said:

Between us, we've got a few different cameras and tripods etc, but don't really understand how to, if it's possible, do the switching between them and what would be needed to do that.

What sort of cameras are you talking about? Are they webcams or video cameras maybe with HDMI out?

Tbh I'm not exactly sure yet until I see them. I have a nice Nikon Coolpix with HDMI out and a colleague has a "gopro" but not sure which. I also have an older camcorder which iirc has HDMI out.

So I suppose another question from me is, what cameras and outputs do I need? and how do I connect them all to one laptop? Some kind of multi-junction cable?

[bigfoot7]

I use the ATEM Mini for work as well as the bigger Television HD version and stream events to all our employees via Workplace. The Blackmagic stuff is great and would recommend it. There also the Pro and Pro ISO models if you need more features. The Pro version had multiview out which is very useful.

[sjg]

+1 for ATEM Mini.

You can do a lot of this in software but it’s not straightforward to set up. The ATEM Mini is super simple just for camera switching and feeding into your conference software although it can do a lot more besides.

This is for Teams but good demo of what it can do: https://youtu.be/rmXZtJMS-A8

[CoolC]

Thanks bigfoot, that looks very interesting.

[eliot]

yeh those atem mini’s look really good - techmoan did a video on them recently

[nd0000]

You don't need anything special. If you have multiple cameras plugged in then Zoom will allow you to switch between them during the call without having to hang up.

I do this semi regularly because I have a USB camera on my WFH docking station that's nicer than the one built into my laptop.

[shed driver]

Canon DSLR cameras can also be used in conjunction with some applications like zoom.

I think nikon and Sony also have software available to achieve this. The advantage of using a DSLR is higher quality lenses including wide angle and macro.

SD.

[Watchman]

I'm just waiting for a refund on something irrelevant then I'm spending it on an Atem Mini to be used for video conferencing. There are loads of YouTube reviews and it's totally what I've been waiting for.

There's a "pro" and "iso" version too for people that need even more functionality but the standard "mini" is perfect for what I'm after.

My son streams using OBS but for my use, I'd need too many little additional components, like capture cards for each camera. The Atem resolves different HDMI configurations straight out of the box.

[Mazinbrum]

Just because your camera has hdmi out it doesn’t mean it will work, you need clean hdmi which sometimes isn’t available at all resolutions.

[ajprice]

Can you take photos of the different stages needed beforehand and screen share the images at the appropriate times in the call?

[Watchman]

ajprice said:

Can you take photos of the different stages needed beforehand and screen share the images at the appropriate times in the call?

With the Atem, you can load 25 images into it and drop them in at the touch of a button. You can also do PiP and chroma key, if you have a green screen.