G9 as Webcam and FW 2.2

[manso]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

 

[Kiyuri]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

Hi there.

Could you provide any pointers on how you set up OBS?

I'm trying to use my GH5 with Zoom, but when I run OBS it asks for my streaming server and key. But I don't want to stream -- I want to use it as a webcam for an online meeting.

Thanks for any tips you could offer.

 

[Ergellegre]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

Try contacting them through Facebook or Instagram. They should have a feedback process through those channels.

They should have made and sold their own hassle-free capture card, but they are being daft.

 

[hindesite]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

Hi there.

Could you provide any pointers on how you set up OBS?

I'm trying to use my GH5 with Zoom, but when I run OBS it asks for my streaming server and key. But I don't want to stream -- I want to use it as a webcam for an online meeting.

Thanks for any tips you could offer.

You need to install the Virtual Camera plugin, this makes the output from OBS appear as a webcam to Zoom etc. Then select that camera in Zoom. Easy, works well.

Audio is a different issue :-(

 

[hindesite]

What happened to 2.1? It seems to have disappeared.

 

[manso]

Hi there.

Could you provide any pointers on how you set up OBS?

I'm trying to use my GH5 with Zoom, but when I run OBS it asks for my streaming server and key. But I don't want to stream -- I want to use it as a webcam for an online meeting.

Thanks for any tips you could offer.

No need to start streaming when using the camera as webcam. Watch this video:

 

[Emsquared]

I'm just a G85 peasant no tether for me, but with a $28 capture card it works great as webcam. Image App on phone lets me focus when auto is too slow, plus zoom in/out on PZ and EZ lenses.

 

[Emsquared]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

Hi there.

Could you provide any pointers on how you set up OBS?

I'm trying to use my GH5 with Zoom, but when I run OBS it asks for my streaming server and key. But I don't want to stream -- I want to use it as a webcam for an online meeting.

Thanks for any tips you could offer.

Try the free Webcamoid. It has a virtual cam option that works with all the chat apps I've tried. The entire OBS webpage seems to be down. I like OBS for recording but haven't been able to try their virtual cam plugin.

 

[manso]

What happened to 2.1? It seems to have disappeared.

It's still available for download here: https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/g9.html

 

[manso]

Try contacting them through Facebook or Instagram. They should have a feedback process through those channels.

They should have made and sold their own hassle-free capture card, but they are being daft.

Thank you. I just sent them a message at instagram.com/lumix/

 

[manso]

You need to install the Virtual Camera plugin, this makes the output from OBS appear as a webcam to Zoom etc. Then select that camera in Zoom. Easy, works well.

Audio is a different issue :-(

Just connect a microphone to the computer's main audio-in port. Then choose the audio source in the chatting app.

 

[manso]

I'm just a G85 peasant no tether for me, but with a $28 capture card it works great as webcam. Image App on phone lets me focus when auto is too slow, plus zoom in/out on PZ and EZ lenses.

The tether app allows the user to focus as well, but it's inconvenient during meetings.

 

[Kiyuri]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

Hi there.

Could you provide any pointers on how you set up OBS?

I'm trying to use my GH5 with Zoom, but when I run OBS it asks for my streaming server and key. But I don't want to stream -- I want to use it as a webcam for an online meeting.

Thanks for any tips you could offer.

You need to install the Virtual Camera plugin, this makes the output from OBS appear as a webcam to Zoom etc. Then select that camera in Zoom. Easy, works well.

Audio is a different issue :-(

Thanks. It seems that things aren't so straightforward with Macs, so still trying to figure this out.

I actually have 2 capture devices already, but using Lumix Tether I am hoping to connect my GH5 directly to my Mac and use it as a web camera going through CamTwist so that I can switch back and forth between the other cameras -- basically giving me a 3 camera set up.

 

[manso]

Thanks. It seems that things aren't so straightforward with Macs, so still trying to figure this out.

I actually have 2 capture devices already, but using Lumix Tether I am hoping to connect my GH5 directly to my Mac and use it as a web camera going through CamTwist so that I can switch back and forth between the other cameras -- basically giving me a 3 camera set up.

For Mac, install this webcam add-on: https://github.com/johnboiles/obs-mac-virtualcam/releases

Make sure you set Video Output (in OBS Settings) to 720p before capturing the Tether Live View window.

 

[hindesite]

Earlier today, I did my first online meeting using G9 as webcam. Panasonic released a beta version of their 'LUMIX Tether' app for windows and mac that allows 'clear' video live view. It works great with OBS Studio and MS Teams.

I set my camera in iA+ mode during the meeting and the only problem I had was the very slow autofocus. G9 FW 2.0 introduced Continuous AF (mode 2) that works during standby. This mode only works in Creative Video Mode, which is an overkill for a webcam!

The Continuous AF mode 2 also works with HDMI Output. Now, the Tether app provides similar functionality as HDMI output, but over USB instead of HDMI. I hope Panasonic enables Continuous AF mode 2 when using Tether app in the next firmware update. (I searched for contact means to send this suggestion to Panasonic but could not find any!)

On the other hand, a new firmware version (2.2) is announced for G9 cameras as can be seen here . It will be available for download after a week it seems.

Hi there.

Could you provide any pointers on how you set up OBS?

I'm trying to use my GH5 with Zoom, but when I run OBS it asks for my streaming server and key. But I don't want to stream -- I want to use it as a webcam for an online meeting.

Thanks for any tips you could offer.

You need to install the Virtual Camera plugin, this makes the output from OBS appear as a webcam to Zoom etc. Then select that camera in Zoom. Easy, works well.

Audio is a different issue :-(

Thanks. It seems that things aren't so straightforward with Macs, so still trying to figure this out.

I actually have 2 capture devices already, but using Lumix Tether I am hoping to connect my GH5 directly to my Mac and use it as a web camera going through CamTwist so that I can switch back and forth between the other cameras -- basically giving me a 3 camera set up.

OBS will do all that for cameras it can see. You can additionally set up multiple scenes even for the same camera (different cropping, position, filters etc.

Additionally, OBS can be used to record a production, not just stream.

Virtual Camera plugin is available for Mac.

 

[Kiyuri]

For Mac, install this webcam add-on: https://github.com/johnboiles/obs-mac-virtualcam/releases

Make sure you set Video Output (in OBS Settings) to 720p before capturing the Tether Live View window.

OBS will do all that for cameras it can see. You can additionally set up multiple scenes even for the same camera (different cropping, position, filters etc.

Additionally, OBS can be used to record a production, not just stream.

Virtual Camera plugin is available for Mac.

Thank you both.

I suspect I'm not doing this right. OBS doesn't see Lumix Tether as a video capture device, but I am able to capture the Lumix Tether program's Live View window in OBS, and set that as a virtual camera.

Then in CamTwist I can pick up the OBS virtual camera (which is showing the Lumix Tether Live View window) and combine it with my two other cameras plus graphics.

It seems pretty convoluted since I need to have both Lumix Tether running and visible (can't minimize it) and OBS running to get the GH5 to show up in CamTwist, versus just selecting the GH5 as a webcam directly from CamTwist.

And the Mac sure gets hot doing all this processing!

 

[D4vith]

Using OBS in addition to Lumix Tether is quite fun.

You can add effects, overlays, share images or cast your screen.

It makes using Zoom or Skype a much more enjoyable experience I feel.

 

[BJN]

OBS on my Win 10 laptop only shows the Lumix Tether for Streaming control window for connection, not the live view window. And the Virtual Camera interface dialog opens up with the control spaces distorted and the text labels cropped and illegible.

 

[amtberg]

You need to install the Virtual Camera plugin, this makes the output from OBS appear as a webcam to Zoom etc. Then select that camera in Zoom. Easy, works well.

Audio is a different issue :-(

Just connect a microphone to the computer's main audio-in port. Then choose the audio source in the chatting app.

I'm doing that, but there's a really annoying lag between the video and audio. Can't figure out how to sync them up.

 

[amtberg]

Panasonic announced that they will be releasing a version late Summer/early Fall that will allow the camera to be seen as a webcam without the need for OBS and that whole rigmarole.