Zoom Newbie Needs Help!

[The Elf]

If you end up doing this regularly, Mike, one thing that has helped me mightily is my Elgato Stream Deck.

On there I can instantly switch cameras/screens, mute mics, etc, with nice, friendly icons to help my poor brain! It would be worth considering, and it has uses far beyond this.

[Mike Stranks]

Thank 'e kindly young sir!

I'll bear it in mind, but at the mo I'm thinking of switching HDMI sources upstream of the PC.

That said, the Elgatos do look very useful little bits of kit...

[Mike Stranks]

Further update...

HDMI-USB converter now installed. Excellent!

I may now even put in an appearance at tomorrow's SoSZoom...

[Sigh!]... and that ATEM Mini looks a lovely bit o' kit... [Sigh!]... makes live-streaming a doddle...

[The Elf]

[Sigh!]... and that ATEM Mini looks a lovely bit o' kit... [Sigh!]... makes live-streaming a doddle...

HDMI inputs aside, this is essentially what you get with OBS. As long as you can get the cameras connected OBS will take care of the rest. And it's free! All you then do is flip between the 'Scenes' you set up that includes any combination of your video and audio inputs.

I've not used OBS to connect to Zoom, but maybe I should try it...

[Mike Stranks]

[Sigh!]... and that ATEM Mini looks a lovely bit o' kit... [Sigh!]... makes live-streaming a doddle...

HDMI inputs aside, this is essentially what you get with OBS. As long as you can get the cameras connected OBS will take care of the rest. And it's free! All you then do is flip between the 'Scenes' you set up that includes any combination of your video and audio inputs.

I've not used OBS to connect to Zoom, but maybe I should try it...

Quite true... and I've had a look at various bits of in the box software... impressive stuff.

But you know me... inherently lazy and always looking for the easy solution. Something like the ATEM or a cheaper seamless switcher means that the computer - and thus YouTube - sees it all as simply a webcam. Going live is thus a cinch!

BTW - screen-sharing is sorted now I'm on the 'grown-up' PC and have worked out how to optimise the screen to be shared. I can drop in and out at will now without getting screen lock-ups.

This afternoon I've been fiddling around with light panels. My make-up kit is due tomorrow!

[ManFromGlass]

and don’t forget the famous red jumper!

[MrRandom]

I also consider Zoom audio to be really difficult with an interface and can't find out why. Even over a really fast link, I get cracking at times. Finish up just using iPad over skype/facetime/hangouts through the air and most of the time it works fine.

[shufflebeat]

[Sigh!]... and that ATEM Mini looks a lovely bit o' kit... [Sigh!]... makes live-streaming a doddle...

HDMI inputs aside, this is essentially what you get with OBS. As long as you can get the cameras connected OBS will take care of the rest. And it's free! All you then do is flip between the 'Scenes' you set up that includes any combination of your video and audio inputs.

I've not used OBS to connect to Zoom, but maybe I should try it...

I've used OBS, Droidcam (to connect my phone as camera) and Voicemeeter connecting SSL2+ and Reaper output) simultaneously with Zoom on a very common-or-garden laptop without major issue.

Happy to discuss details.

[wireman]

I'm hoping to use OBS with Zoom but at the moment I get choppy audio from my capture card, still trying to work it out. Although I may not really need OBS in the middle.

[Mike Stranks]

Hmmm....

'Seamless' switcher arrived... it isn't

While it doesn't give me smearing or tearing it does go blank for about 1-2 seconds. That's interpreted by the downstream capture card as 'no signal' so it switches to colour bars until the signal comes back.

Blank screen I could live with... colour bars I can't...

Think again time...

[The Elf]

That's a shame, and seems to go against all the reasons for employing such a device!

[shufflebeat]

Hmmm....

'Seamless' switcher arrived... it isn't

I'm sure there's 20 good reasons ehtly this is inappropriate but, being of a cheapskate persuasion:

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/hdmi-switch-4k ... _campaign=(GB:%20SAD)%20Electronics%20&%20Technology&utm_term=4575548924741376&utm_content=(GB:%20SAD)%20Electronics%20&%20Technology%20-%2012

I like to think of it as outboard hardware.

[Drew Stephenson]

linky no likely

[zenguitar]

If you highlight the entire link you should be able to cut&paste it into a new browser tab/window. That worked for me.

Andy

[Drew Stephenson]

I did try that but got nowt. Must have missed a bit.

[shufflebeat]

Apologies, lazy thumbing:

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/hdmi-switch-4k-techole-hdmi-switch-3-in-1-out-with-hdmi-cable3-port-hdmi-splitter-manual-hdmi-switcher-support-4k-3d-1080p-plug-and-play-for-xbo~c11498~p26860960/?exta=bingsh&lid=36725109&stat=eyJpcCI6IjMyLjk5IiwiZHAiOjYuOTksImxpZCI6IjM2NzI1MTA5IiwicyI6IjMiLCJ0IjoxNjExMTI2ODgzLCJibWMiOiIxLjAifQ==&exta=bingsh&msclkid=994fec5d7e1817f430da8c55eb792c5d&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(GB:%20SAD

[N i g e l]

and don’t forget the famous red jumper!

wearing a red jumper never works out well in Star Trek.

ZOOM:

I use a microbook II as my interface with an LDC and in ear phones & a long extension cable.
Zoom lets you test the audio interface with a headphone tone and by echoing speech.

if you Google "Zoom test", you can visit the zoom site and do a "TEST MEETING" before hand to check everything is in order before you go live.

[Kwackman]

linky no likely

Does this work?

Link

[Drew Stephenson]

Links all good now, thank you.

[shufflebeat]

I could really have just posted up an image and saved us all the trouble :



(Not the same one but suspiciously similar)

[Mike Stranks]

Yup! There are scores of HDMI switchers available like that or with buttons/IR remote like mine...

Unless you're paying upwards of £150 they all seem to have variations on the theme of output interruption when you switch - unless someone here can show different from direct experience. (Please do! )

Apparently, one of the problems (but not the only one) is scaling - different inputs at different HD formats, frequencies etc.

Once you get to switchers that can reliably deal with whatever's thrown at them you're starting to get close in price point to the 'proper' video switchers - eg the ATEM Mini and the LivePro L1 - both at about the £275 mark.

[shufflebeat]

Got it.

My only experience of HDMI switching is with the most basic of domestic toys for connecting TV, PS4, CCTV but didn't notice any delay or psychedelia.

There would be the option of having a usb/wireless option to be active while switching is happening in the background.

Nota bene, I struggle to switch out of cheapskate mode myself so this is probably highly inappropriate, in which case - apologies, please ignore.

[Mike Stranks]

I was about to but an ATEM Mini, but then thought again about The Elf's comments re: OBS. He's a man whose judgment I trust so I jumped in...

Bearing in mind live-streaming is a a 'possible' for the future I've deemed it wise not to splurge on kit which, much as I should enjoy playing with it, could well never be used 'in anger'.

So, at least for now, I shall continue exploring OBS and buying modest bits and pieces to support that mode of delivery.

BTW... I'm now very comfortable with Zoom... I can almost make it sit up and beg!

[ManFromGlass]

Following this with interest. If you ever solve the main problem I find with zoom you will be my guru! That problem is the one where if you don’t look head on at the camera then it looks like you’re not paying attention. But it’s unnatural to constantly appear to be an interested talking head as we like to move our heads and focus on many things while we converse.
I’m not sure how to deal with this.