Here's a video I shared a few years ago, but has become even more relevant under today's pandemic circumstances. More and more people are working remote and having to deal with live video conferencing / meetings. Instead of a poor quality webcam, with this adapter you can capture the HDMI video feed (up to 4K resolution) and turn any professional camera into a webcam for conferencing applications like Zoom, Skype, Hangout, and even Facetime. Or use it for live streaming through services like Facebook or YouTube Live.

Yes there are cheaper video capture adapters, but most are only up to HD resolution. Even though most streaming services only support HD, by having the option with 4K resolution, you can use the extra resolution for faux camera angles and simulate a multicamera production. If you're offering a live stream service for a business or company, this could greatly help turn those boring static camera angles into a more interesting and engaging presentation for the viewers.

Software like OBS will allow you to create 'scenes' in which you could zoom in to different parts of that 4K resolution and then toggle between them by just using your keyboard. Live Keying (such as green screen) will also benefit from 4K capture as you have more information to work with. So virtual backgrounds will be cleaner. Not to mention that 4K just looks better when downscaling. So yes, while there are cheaper solutions to turn any camera into a webcam, not many can capture 4K resolution like these Epiphan Video Capture Adapters.

Epiphan Video 4K HDMI to USB Capture Record Stream Adapter

Anyone remember these shoulder rig camera stabilizers that have an adjustable chest support? Despite how cheap they feel, they work great for stabilizing shots. And they're less than $20 bucks!

Shoulder Stabilizer with Chest Support

But the main thing I hated about those stabilizers was that you couldn't just throw your rig back onto a tripod for a static shot. It's just not designed to work that way. I'm a big fan of a shoulder rig with chest support, it makes a huge difference keeping the camera from falling forward - and you won't need rear counterweights that just add excessive weight to your rig. So I decided to grab one of Sony's old camera stabilizers made for cameras like the EX1.

Now if you're looking at the OEM Sony Camcorder Shoulder Support (as seen here), you'll see they run upwards of $480 dollars+. Instead, you want to look at an aftermarket version will runs just over $100 dollars (which I have), and the quality is pretty much the same.

Foldable Camera Stabilizer Tripod to Shoulder Rig

The moment I received the shoulder stabilizer, I removed all the VCT mounts underneath, and just attached a manfrotto 501 plate. The front VCT QR plate can also be removed, and after stripping it down, I used this plate to attach rosette handles (had to drill two holes for the clamp). So not very much modification needed to have a functional shoulder rig stabilizer that easily sits back on to a tripod! It's worked so well, i'll probably be picking up one more for my Pocket Cinema Camera rig.

How can you use your Canon DSLR, Sony Mirrorless, or even your Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera as a webcam? That's been a common question these days. As more people continue to work from home, Video conferencing has become more of a necessity. While basic webcams are suffice, there may be reasons you will need cameras with more abilities and features. Features such as better low light performance, wide angle lenses to fit a large conference room, or maybe you need audio inputs from a wireless Lav mic when teaching a distance from the camera - simple features where a basic webcam may fall short.

[source Runplayback.com]

By simply adding a capture device, you can turn just about any camera into a webcam for use with applications such as Zoom, Webex, Skype, Hangouts and even Facetime. Rik Cordero from Runplayback.com gives us a look at a popular HDMI USB capture device from Inogeni.

INOGENI HDMI USB Video Capture

Just q quick reminder that if you want to get extra height with your cameras, you can use a variety of different and inexpensive Painter Poles found at your local hardware stores. Perhaps you need to hold up a portable flash, and LED light, or extend a microphone. The easiest way to adapt painter poles is to use one of these special adapters designed to thread to the standard hardware poles, and also have a locking set screw to prevent your accessories from coming loose.

Adapter for Telescoping Painter Poles

The ClickSnap Adapter is a bit more expensive, but it does already come with an articulating ball head. One less thing you need to add if you want to be able to tilt.

ClickSnap Painter Pole Adapter

The Insta360 ONE R 1" Edition is one of the key configurations of the modular ONE R action camera system. It includes the Core module, 1" Mod, Battery Base, and Mounting Bracket, also known as a frame. The 1" Mod features a large 1" sensor and captures up to 5.3K resolution video at 30 fps. It also captures 19MP and Raw photos. The Core module functions as the brain. It has a touchscreen live-view display with controls and is reversible so the display can be used for selfie/vlog shots. The 1" Mod and Core module mount side by side on the Battery Base, connecting into electronic contacts on it. The Battery Base has a built-in battery that powers the modules for approximately 65-70 minutes. The Battery Base is rechargeable via a USB interface.

Insta 360 ONE R 1" Edition

There's a lot of arguments of whether or not you need an 8K resolution, but let's not open up that can or worms today. I'll leave that up to the individual to decide. In the meantime you can check out some crispy 6K footage from the new Autel Robotics EVO II 8K Drone below.

The new Autel Robotics EVO II drone captures 8K Video footage and 48MP stills. Features up to 40-minutes of flight time, with a top speed of 45mph and up to a 9km range. The Autel Robotics EVO 2 now includes new sensors for omni-directional obstacle avoidance - which they claim is the best in the industry. With so many sensors, of course the drone is also able to follow subjects autonomously while navigating around obstacles at high speeds.

Autel Robotics EVO II 8K Drone