How to Use the SONY ZV-1 as a Webcam for Zoom the Easy Way! - Cheap Amazon HDMI to USB Capture Card
Zoom meetings are here to stay. I've got more virtual meetings now than ever before and I wanted to up my game. No more tinny sound and blurry video for me. I dove in and tried to find solutions for my Macbook and Sony ZV-1.
I ended up super frustrated trying to get my Sony ZV-1 to be recognized as a webcam using the software method. There isn't any all-in-one easy solution to get the Sony ZV-1 recognized as a webcam (yet). Maybe Sony will make one? For now, the process is multi-step and annoying.
It involved downloading Sony Imaging Edge Desktop and trying to get the "Remote" app to work.
Unfortunately, it would never recognize my camera. I spent an hour on the phone with Sony Tech support (Level 2) and got it to work once. The only way it would work was if I shut down a bunch of other apps, such as Google Backup and Restore.
Once I got it working, I had to use Camtwist to capture the Remote window. It is able to spoof the window as a webcam for use in other programs such as Zoom.
Even when I got it working, it was a bit slow and taxed my poor Macbook 15".
I tried another method which involved using OBS to send the image to Zoom, but Zoom decided that it would no longer work with OBS virtual cam.
I really tried.
So, failing the software method I looked into hardware. I knew there were HDMI to USB video capture cards out there, so I did some searching.
The Elgato (https://amzn.to/30A4SRS) was pretty highly recommended and cost $120.
I had also heard of the Pengo (https://amzn.to/3jqd0Ni) unit for $90.
I didn't want to spend that much.
Then I found this card (https://amzn.to/3juz0Xe) on Amazon for $30.
I saw a few reviews and thought I'd give it a whirl. Other have found it for even cheaper at $15 so shop around.
I think for $30, it is a great solution. The video it outputs is true 1080p and looks much better than my built in webcam. The price makes it a no brainer. This would make it great for presentations, livestreaming as well as vlogging.
It totally streamlines the workflow as well, making things much more efficient and easy.
If you want, it can also send the audio from your HDMI feed as well.
The only downside is that it can't do 4k output. For me, this is a non-issue since I only work in 1080p.
Let me know if you have questions!
List of stuff I use. They are Amazon Affiliates which gives me a kickback for sending you there.
USB HDMI Adapter (the device in this review)
https://amzn.to/3fqlIsx
My new camera:
Sony ZV-1
https://amzn.to/2OmCU6q
Neewer USB Mic with pop filter and boom arm
https://amzn.to/2B3sqG0
HDMI to mini-HDMI cable for camera to USB card:
https://amzn.to/3ia4xfO
Cheap, but really good lavalier mic from Pop Voice.
https://amzn.to/2CFtv76
Cheap, but useful tripods from Amazon.
https://amzn.to/2Cz2P8b
Surprisingly high quality, yet affordable studio light set with backdrop from Neewer.
https://amzn.to/3h3K4ca
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