how to use Sony SR12 as web cam. HELP!

[pftjim]

I am trying to use my Sony HDR SR12 as a webcam instead of the built-in webcam on my Sony Vaio. Does anyone know if this can be done and how?

JIM

[mL999]

I have a Panasonic HDC SD5 camcorder which has a similar (but lower) specification to yours. I use it for reading because of my bad eyesight. It feeds a monitor (or tv set) through the HDMI oullet and gives about 5x magnification. It has to be on a very rigid stand (table-clamp monitor stand not tripod) .
Try as I may, I can not get it to feed the monitor through the computer. It might be possible through a suitable captutre card. but even then the computer is not likely to be capable of treating it as a web cam without more software.
Some digital still cameras are advertised as being able to be used as webcams. I tried one that happened to available in the family. The resolution was not good enough for a reading aid. The output was 'Viewfinder' quality not 'photo' quality.

Please post here if you have any success.

Good Luck from mike

[edDV]

Unlike DV/HDV over IEEE-1394, AVCHC cams aren't well supported over USB for live capture or live viewing.

MiniDV/D8 cams often have a webcam mode (352x240 CIF) that works over USB.

Orange Micro has software (WebDV?) that converts 480i/576i DV over IEEE-1394 for webcam use.

Used MiniDV/DV cams are cheap on Craigslist or eBay.

[pftjim]

Thanks. I just found out that my expensive camcorder cannot be used as a web cam. i will have to buy a different one with USB streaming for that purpose.

Thanks!

[edDV]

Few consumer level MPeg camcorders (other than HDV) or digital cmeras stream video over USB.

Most have SD interlace analog video outputs that can be captured.

Webcams are a different breed of product.

[template]

a nice camcorder that can usb stream with nice color and clear, what would someone recommend....don't want to have to buy the internal capture card....how about dazzle?.....layman terms please have a hard time understanding all of this..

thanks!

[Nitemare]

There is an awesome piece of software called ManyCam that might help you. It can select almost anything as a camera source... even your desktop (or you can specify a box that you've clicked and dragged on the desktop to be your source).

If your camera connects to the computer at all and shows any kid of a "live preview", you can tell ManyCam to use the "selected box" on the desktop as a source and then draw the box around your preview window.

My brother does this with an old digital still camera that has a live preview window. Best of all.. freeware!
http://www.manycam.com/

[template]

windows 7 is not recognizing older camcorders?

[edDV]

windows 7 is not recognizing older camcorders?

Win7 like all previous Windows versions supports live streams from webcams, TV tuners and DirectShow codecs. DirectShow supports live DV/HDV steams over IEEE-1394 among other streams.

Most video over USB (ignoring WDM tuners and webcams) is proprietary.

Consumer digital cameras and AVCHD/MPeg4 camcorders mostly don't stream live over USB. They transfer pre-recorded files. Most will output analog SD video that can be captured with an analog capture device.

[template]

usb streaming was ok on xp.. ..need driver for "sony dcr-hc38" for windows 7 64 bit...can't find it if i tried for days...thanks!

anyone have a suggestion on how to connect the sony dcr-hc38 without the cd....actually it has a cd that is only "picture motion browser version....but after installing that the camera will not even be recognized on the pc...no link to click nothing..for a driver to download?..

[edDV]

All DV and HDV cams stream over Firewire. Orange Micro had an app called WebDV that converted the DV stream into a webcam stream.

Many Sony D8 and MiniDV camcorders also had a low res CIF webcam feed over USB. Most messaging software recognized the Sony USB stream as a webcam.

The SD MPeg2 cams, still cams and now AVCHD cams lack this "live" mode.

[template]

are you saying to buy one that is firewire?........
is this orange still in business?
why did the sony dcr-hd38 work on xp?

i made a thread somewhere and now can' find it?....

need step by step instructions what to do please and of course many thanks!