Trying Different Camera Setups

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Animated Overlays
Using a modern camera as your webcam
Using your phone's camera as your webcam
Using a USB Camera

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Comparison

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Here are the results before you begin reading.

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Prerequisites

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I am running macOS and iOS but I will try to link the same steps for Windows as well. If you are running Arch, I assume you already know what you are doing and are using this post as an inspiration and not a how-to guide.

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I assume that you have Homebrew installed.

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OBS and OBS-Virtual-Cam

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Description

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brew cask install obs
+brew cask install obs-virtualcam
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Windows users can install the latest version of the plugin from OBS-Forums

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0. Animated Overlays

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I have always liked PewDiePie's animated border he uses in his videos

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Still grab from PewDiePie's video showing border

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The border was apparently made by a YouTuber Sleepy Tanooki. He posted a link to a Google Drive folder containing the video file. (I will be using the video overlay for the example)

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It is pretty simple to use overlays in OBS:

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First, Create a new scene by clicking on the plus button on the bottom right corner.

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Bottom Panel of OBS

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Now, in the Sources section click on the add button -> Video Capture Device -> Create New -> Choose your webcam from the Device section.

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You may, resize if you want

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After this, again click on the add button, but this time choose the Media Source option

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Media Source Option

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and, locate and choose the downloaded overlay.

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1. Using a Modern Camera (Without using a Capture Card)

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I have a Sony mirrorless camera. Using Sony's Imaging Edge Desktop, you can use your laptop as a remote viewfinder and capture or record media.

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After installing Image Edge Desktop or your Camera's equivalent, open the Remote application.

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Remote showing available cameras

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Once you are able to see the output of the camera on the application, switch to OBS. Create a new scene, and this time choose Window Capture in the Sources menu. After you have chosen the appropriate window, you may transform/crop the output using the properties/filters options.

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2.1 Using your iPhone using Quicktime

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Connect your iPhone via a USB cable, then Open Quicktime -> File -> New Movie Recording

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In the Sources choose your device (No need to press record). You may open the camera app now.

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Choose Source

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Now, in OBS create a new scene, and in the sources choose the Window Capture option. You will need to rotate the source:

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Rotation

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2.2 Using your iPhone using an application like Camo

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Install the Camo app on your phone through the app store -> connect to Mac using USB cable, install the companion app and you are done.

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I tried both my current iPhone and an old iPhone 5S

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3. A USB Webcam

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The simplest solution, is to use a USB webcam. I used an old Logitech C310 that was collecting dust. I was surprised to find that Logitech is still selling it after years and proudly advertising it! (5MP)

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It did not sit well on my laptop, so I placed it on my definitely-not-Joby Gorrila Pod i had bought on Amazon for ~₹500

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USB Webcam + +

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