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How to Connect an External Video Camera to MacBook Pro for Live Streaming

How to use an external camera on Mac? In this video, I demonstrate how I connect my GoPro (or other cameras) to my Macbook Pro for live streaming? See the links below the video for the list of equipment required for the setup. 

Links...
- Micro-HDMI to HDMI cable... https://amzn.to/2VnZNcC
- HDMI to USB Capture Device...
  Elgato Cam Link 4K... https://amzn.to/3a0Gcob
  Alternatives...
  Ansten... https://amzn.to/2W4mzGM
  Unisheen... https://amzn.to/2y9BDKS
  Magewell... https://amzn.to/3b2StJX
  ATEM Mini... https://amzn.to/2RtsDam
  Treaslin... https://amzn.to/2YidpHJ
- USB to USB cable... https://amzn.to/2VnhpVX
(Not required for Elgato Cam Link / USB to USB-C required for New MacBook pro)
- GoPro Hero7 Black... https://amzn.to/3a8oiA9
- Gekkopod Flexible Tripod Stand... https://amzn.to/2yOyosF

Like this video? Buy me coffee... 😋
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/VideoLane



Check out my latest posts:

ATEM Television Studio HD Setup with OBS Live Streaming 

In this video, I walk through my multi-camera live streaming setup using the Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio HD via MacBook Pro and OBS.


2-Camera Live Video Switching with BlackMagic and OBS - 

In this video, I walk through my 2-camera live streaming setup using Blackmagic Design Ultrastudio Mini Recorders on a MacBook Pro via OBS.


Feel free to leave comments and questions.

The original "idea" journal posted on Aril 28, 2015.

I have a request to shoot a corporate internal talk and stream it to a live audience in seven different countries.

First 3 things that came to mind is...

1. Video conferencing system.
2. Google+ Hangouts On Air with YouTube Live.
3. Other Streaming services like Ustream.

Video conferencing system is out as that would require a whole set of dedicated equipment.

All I have at this point is.

1. The Panasonic HMC151 AVCHD video camera.
2. The MacBook Pro Retina with GPU.
3. Fibre Broadband at the client's premises.

So YouTube Live and streaming services would probably work.

The question is how do I connect my live video camera to the MacBook Pro.

Here's what I found.

The Panasonic HMC151 has 2 live outputs.
  • Analog Composite
  • HDMI
The MacBook Pro Retina has 4 inputs.
  • 2 Thunderbolt ports
  • 2 USB 3.0 ports
Recommended video camera interface:
Recommend Live Streaming Software Options:
Popular Streaming Destination
  • YouTube Live
  • Google+ HOA
  • Ustream
YouTube Live
YouTube Live vs Google+ HOA
  • Others cannot join in the webcast vs up to 10 can join in. 
  • Higher video quality with custom encoder vs lower quality. 
  • Like TV broadcast vs interactive webinar. 
  • No watermark logo vs "Google+" logo on the top left. 
The configuration
  • Panasonic HMC151 → HDMI out → HDMI cable → Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder (US$145) →  Thunderbolt port →  MacBook Pro →  Wirecast (US$995) →  YouTube Live or Ustream →  USB to Ethernet Adapter (US$29) → Viewer software?? →  Live Audience
  • Flash configuration
  • Panasonic HMC151 →   HDMI out →    HDMI cable &→   UltraStudio MR (US$145) →   Thunderbolt port →   MacBook Pro  →  Adobe Flash Encoder (Free)  →   YouTube Live (Free) →  USB to Ethernet Adapter (US$29) →   YouTube Watch Page Link →   Live Audience
  • + External SSD for recording
Streaming speed
  • Internet upload speed must be 2x more than video/audio bit rate.
  • Use speedtest.net to test upload speed.
  • Streaming HD720 is 4000kbps and HD1080 is 6000kbps.
Alternative camera to consider in future
  • Panasonic AW-HE130 HD Integrated Camera 
Sources where I found the information:


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