Webcaster X2 currently has a Beta feature that lets you connect and stream a USB camera or connect a plug-and-play USB microphone that is a UAC device (i.e. it doesn’t require you to install drivers). This feature works with any of the available streaming platforms.
If you connect a USB camera and an HDMI video source to Webcaster X2, the audio from the HDMI source is used by default. If you want to use the audio from the USB camera instead, enable both the USB camera and the USB audio source (beta) options.
This feature is beta and is still in testing, so we cannot guarantee success when using a USB camera or USB microphone. Some USB devices work better than others with Webcaster X2. This feature does not support video capture cards.
Video signals up to 720p are supported. When using a USB camera, you can switch between the USB and the HDMI video sources, as well as switch between different layouts during the live stream. Just connect a USB camera to Webcaster X2 to create PiP layouts and switch between your HDMI and USB camera sources. Interlaced and PAL signals are not supported.
Webcaster X2
. Email our support team (Webcaster X2 USB camera Beta feedback
and share the make and model of your devices. Be sure to include how you used the device and what worked well or poorly.To help us with this Beta feature, tell us more about which USB camera(s) and USB audio devices you use with. Email our support team ( support@epiphan.com ) with the subject lineand share the make and model of your devices. Be sure to include how you used the device and what worked well or poorly.Thanks for being part of the Beta process!
What do I need?
To stream a USB camera you need:
Webcaster X2
An Internet connection with a minimum of 6 Mb/s uplink for 1080p, or 3 Mb/s for 720p . Each Webcaster X2 you connect to your network needs a constant uplink bandwidth of 3 Mb/s to 6 Mb/s by default. Any popular internet speed test can help you determine the peak bandwidth you have available. We recommend allowing for at least 1.5 times the amount of bandwidth you expect to need for your live stream because other devices, including personal computers and voice over IP phone systems, can use a significant portion of your available uplink.
This example shows you how to stream an HDMI camera, but you can use any other HDMI source you like (camera, computer, video mixer, etc.), as long as your source (or media) sends video at 720p or 1080p and does not have High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), and sends audio at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.
Here's how you enable using a connected USB camera or USB audio device.
Webcaster X2
.HDMI IN
port.USB
port that is beside theHDMI IN
port. Always use this port for your USB devices. You can only connect one USB device at a time for use withWebcaster X2
.HDMI OUT
port.Webcaster X2
by plugging in the power cord;Webcaster X2
executes its boot-up sequence.Webcaster X2
supports HDMI input signals of 720p (1280×720) and 1080p (1920×1080), progressive signals only. Interlaced signals (e.g. 720i and 1080i) arenot
supported. If your camera isn’t supported (or is experiencing another signal issue), the front screen and attached display show a message that saysHDMI IN No Signal
. Audio is supported over HDMI at 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz. Or using the (beta) USB camera feature, you can use the audio from a connected USB webcam or a plug-and-play USB microphone that is a UAC device.Always connect your USB camera or USB audio device to the USB port on the same side of
Webcaster X2
as theHDMI IN
port. Plug the USB device in before you power onWebcaster X2
.Beta
feature.Preferences
icon at the lower right corner of the screen. The Preferences screen opens.Use USB audio source (BETA)
in theStream Details
section. Right click to exit the Preferences and save the changes.Beta
feature.Preferences
icon at the lower right corner of the screen. The Preferences screen opens.Enable USB camera (BETA)
in theStream Details
section.Use USB audio source (BETA)
in theStream Details
section if you want to use the audio from the connected USB camera instead of audio from the HDMI source.Not all cameras are detected immediately. If the
Multisource
section is not present on the Preferences page when the USB camera feature is enabled, rebootWebcaster X2
with the USB camera connected.Webcaster X2 can show your USB camera and HDMI camera on the screen at the same time.
Multisource enabled
checkbox to turn on or off picture in picture mode.Webcaster X2
.With two video sources connected, you can switch between your HDMI and USB source. If you're using picture in picture mode (multisource), the cameras swap with the larger one now taking the place of the smaller one.
If you're not in picture in picture mode, the whole screen is swapped for the new source, allowing you to switch between full-screen sources.
Switch inputs
checkbox to make the USB camera the primary camera (either the large camera in picture in picture mode, or the only camera on screen).Switch inputs
checkbox to reset the HDMI camera as the primary camera.Tab key
on a USB keyboard attached toWebcaster X2
.Webcaster X2 supports 8 different picture in picture layouts. You can switch between these layouts using the mouse from the preferences screen or with an attached USB keyboard.
Top right [1]
Bottom right [2]
Top left [3]
Bottom left [4]
Full screen overlap [5]
Twin (side by side) [6]
Two-third left [7]
Two-third right [8]
Layouts
in theMultisource
section; the layouts dialog opens.
The Fullscreen overlap option can be used to show a source full screen, or, if enabled, to apply transparency on the top layer so the bottom source is partially visible through it.
1-8
on a USB keyboard attached toWebcaster X2
.You can control the size of the embedded picture in the first four layouts. Choose small, medium, or large to change the size of the embedded image.
PIP size
in theMultisource
section; the PIP size dialog opens.
+
] or [-
] on a USB keyboard attached toWebcaster X2
.With padding, you control how closely the smaller video is to the edges of the screen.
PIP padding
in theMultisource
section; the PIP padding dialog opens.
Home
] or [End
] keys on a USB keyboard attached toWebcaster X2
.Webcaster X2 can apply a transition when switching between various picture in picture layouts and when turning on and off multisource mode. You control whether or not a transition is applied, and at what speed it happens.
Transitions don't apply to all layout changes, and don't apply to switches.
Transitions
in theMultisource
section; the Transitions dialog opens.
You can control the transparency of the topmost (primary) video source when using the Full screen overlap layout.
This beta feature can be intensive for
Webcaster X2
to perform and may cause frame rate problems. Turn offTransparency
if you see low output frame rates.Transparency
in theMultisource
section; the Transparency dialog opens.
PgUp
] or [PgDn
] keys on a USB keyboard attached toWebcaster X2
.This option is not fully used while the USB camera feature is in Beta mode.
USB source resolution
in theMultisource
section; the USB source resolution dialog opens.
Webcaster X2
will scale your USB camera source.Now you can make use of a USB keyboard to control layouts, switching, and your USB camera throughout your live broadcast.