Nikon D7000 as a webcam for Skype video chat?

[waveguide]

How can one set up Nikon D7000 as a webcam for skype video chat? Is it possible at all?

 

[inertia]

bump for a usefull question

 

[Lars Fosdal]

Simply inserting the USB cable and turning the camera on, won't make it available as a video cam to Skype or other video apps in Windows. Also - when connected through USB - the battery drains fast, so you would need the external power option.

Don't know if live video can be made visible to video capture using CaptureNX.

--
There are no stupid questions.

 

[wlad]

it's pretty easy - switch to live view, record a video, connect the camera to your computer, find the video file and send it over skype. Then wait for the other party to respond, and repeat the process.
easy as pie

why in the world should a DSLR function as a webcam ?

 

[Alexandro]

With a proper plugin for Skype that could be done. Check apps like Nikcontrol 3k (free) and Camera Control Pro 2 that can show LiveView on your desktop.

 

[Ben Seese]

With a proper plugin for Skype that could be done. Check apps like Nikcontrol 3k (free) and Camera Control Pro 2 that can show LiveView on your desktop.

Right, then once you've got the Live View displaying on your monitor, take a webcam & point it at the LV picture. Might get a little moire, but you've got all the depth-of-field & lens options that come with an SLR!

Actually, Skype does allow broadcasting the contents of a window on your desktop (called "screen sharing"), but the whole video-call system, including screen sharing, is disabled if a proper webcam isn't present.

--
http://www.benseese.com

 

[furballs]

Isn't this somewhat like asking how my Ferrari (I wish) could be used as a moving van? I suppose it can be done - but why (when there are dirt-cheap alternatives around that actually do the job without requiring several other moving parts?)

 

[larochelle]

Just follow these easy instructions.

1. Get $50
2. Go to Walmart
3. Buy a web cam
4. Plug it into your USB port.
5. Leave your D7K in it's bag.
6. Skype away!

 

[buellwinkle2]

$50, ouch, that's going to be some heck of a web cam. I would say don't spend more than $20 because HD sounds like fun, but most people don't have the bandwidth to make it happen. I do surveillence cams and the problem is that in order to send VGA at 30 frames per second over the internets, it takes about 800Kbps. That's more than the fastest DSL line can handle which is about 756Kbps of UPLOAD speed. Crank that up to HD and you'll need a few mbps of upload bandwidth.

I use Skype all the time with the built in cam on my PC and laptop and even at low res QVGA (320x240) it's not all that smooth or great at times.

Also, I'm pretty sure when you connect the D7000 via USB, it's not outputting 1080P, it's probably outputting what goes to the rear LCD display but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[MRM4350]

If you do figure out a way please don't come crying when you burn up the sensor because you talked for 10 minutes (or even 5 minutes).
--
Michael

 

[jreyman]

The D7K is also designed to capture HD-video, so why would it burn the sensor up if used as a webcam? All it's doing is capturing video.

 

[Colweb]

$50, ouch, that's going to be some heck of a web cam. I would say don't spend more than $20 because HD sounds like fun, but most people don't have the bandwidth to make it happen. I do surveillence cams and the problem is that in order to send VGA at 30 frames per second over the internets, it takes about 800Kbps. That's more than the fastest DSL line can handle which is about 756Kbps of UPLOAD speed. Crank that up to HD and you'll need a few mbps of upload bandwidth.

Only 756Kbps upload speed?? I have DSL and 3 mbit upload speed. And yes, I can really upload about 370 KB/sec (or just over 1.2 GB per hour).

 

[adestefa]

why in the world should a DSLR function as a webcam ?

I would like to use mine as a webcam because the very wide angle of most built-in webcams is very unflattering! I can use a longer lens with less distortion if I use my DSLR. Much better results.

 

[Scouten]

How can one set up Nikon D7000 as a webcam for skype video chat? Is it possible at all?

I haven't had time to test it myself but SparkoCam seems to be a possible solution for you from what I read.