Can't get Fujifilm Webcam software to work with X-S10

I just bought an X-S10 specifically to use for live streaming and as a webcam in Zoom. (I have an X-T4 as my main camera.)

However, I can't get the X-S10 to work as a webcam. Here are the steps I'm following:

1. On my X-S10 > Connection Settings > Connection Mode > USB Tether Shooting Auto
2. Connected the X-S10 to my Macbook Pro M1 Pro via USB cable (note: I had to use a USB-A to USB-C adapter to do this, because my Macbook Pro doesn't have USB-A ports)
3. Opened Fujifilm X Webcam 2
4. Opened Zoom and selected Fujifilm X Webcam 2 as the camera

However, I didn't see any picture. Instead, I get this error message in the video window where the picture from the X-S10 should be:

According to the manual, the cause of this is "The camera was connected in the wrong mode. Select USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO for CONNECTION MODE in the camera menus."

But as I explained above, I have already selected that in the camera menus.

Any ideas where I'm going wrong here?

I would like to get this to work. But if I don't need to use the features of Fujifilm X Webcam software (which isn't working for me anyhow), can I just connect the X-S10 directly to my Macbook Pro using HDMI? (The Macbook Pro has an HDMI port.) Or do I need a capture card like this?

Edit: whoops. Just read your own reply . I still think your problem is in the connection  
— — —

Try a different cable. I suspect that the cable you’re using might be a “charge only” cable that doesn’t carry the data.

mrswitters wrote:

jaberg wrote:

Edit: whoops. Just read your own reply . I still think your problem is in the connection
— — —

Try a different cable. I suspect that the cable you’re using might be a “charge only” cable that doesn’t carry the data.

Well, I just tried with an Apple USB-C to USB-C cable, and it still didn't work. Wouldn't that be a cable that passes data?

Ironically Apple makes two USB-c cables. One is a data cable, the other, as I recall, is charge only — though I might be confusing that with an Apple A <> C cable.

USB-C. One port to rule us all… by beating us into sniveling submission.

I hauled all of my non-compliment C cables off to Tech Dump and purchased Anker Powerline 3 cables to avoid this confusion. Beyond that all I can offer is that I can use either an X-S10 or an X-100V as a webcam on my 2016 MBP. It’s not a question of whether or not the app “works”. A reasonable question for those who struggle with the Camera Remote app.

I don't know if it'll work with MacOS, but I use OBS to take the feed from my X-S10 and then start the Virtual Webcam to feed that into other applications.

wantfastcars wrote:

I don't know if it'll work with MacOS, but I use OBS to take the feed from my X-S10 and then start the Virtual Webcam to feed that into other applications.

It can work — but adding an HDMI input device and OBS is an extra layer that should be unnecessary for using the camera as a “simple” webcam.

mrswitters wrote:

I just ordered a few of the Anker Powerline III cables as you suggested. They're supposed to arrive in a few hours (thanks Amazon!), so I'll be able to test them today.

Keep me posted and let me know if there are any specific tests I can do on your behalf. It’s a bleak day here so as soon as I finish this pot of coffee I’m planning to settle in at my computer desk and build the slideshow for an upcoming salon.

I saw this. I’ll pull my XS10 out after dinner and go through the steps.

I was just coming to say "it's not the cable…let's review your settings."

Glad you got it sorted — and sorry for misdiagnosing before. Whichever end you start at — the problem is certain to found at the opposite.

For future reference/readers the cable in this instance was a red herring.  I was able to connect my X-S10 to Zoom via the Fuji Webcam software using a "skinny" Apple C cable (I think it came with an iPhone), a "Fat" Apple C (that came with my MacBook Pro) , and an Anker Powerline III Flow (which is the cable I've standardized on here — save for two 90 degree C connector UGREEN cables I use for power connection at my desk. Given that this worked with all three cables, I assume it can work over an "old style" USB cable as well — it doesn't seem to require a "fast" USB connection.

mrswitters wrote:

Another interesting thing I just learned: it doesn't seem to work when using a dummy battery for continuous power.

Does anyone know if the USB cable will provide power continuously when the X-S10 is connected to the computer (as long as the computer is connected to power)?

I will be doing long live streams and webinars, sometimes up to 2 hours, so I'll need continuous power.

The X-S10 will not charge while powered on. As such, you cannot simply use a USB cable to keep it alive while in-use as a webcam. That being said, I have found that using the genuine Fuji battery that came with my camera gets me about 2.5 to 3 hours of battery life when used as a webcam. If you're looking to use it for up to 2 hours tops, you shouldn't have an issue as long as you can start with a fully charged battery every time. Additionally, also for me, once I got everything connected and working, I could simply turn the camera off, swap in a new battery, and turn the camera back on and have everything start right back up immediately.

That being said, it works with a dummy battery for me. Perhaps the power source you have for the dummy battery doesn't provide enough juice to keep the X-S10 powered on properly? I do have Windows though, so I wonder if there's shenanigans afoot with MacOS.

mrswitters wrote:

wantfastcars wrote:

mrswitters wrote:

Another interesting thing I just learned: it doesn't seem to work when using a dummy battery for continuous power.

Does anyone know if the USB cable will provide power continuously when the X-S10 is connected to the computer (as long as the computer is connected to power)?

I will be doing long live streams and webinars, sometimes up to 2 hours, so I'll need continuous power.

The X-S10 will not charge while powered on. As such, you cannot simply use a USB cable to keep it alive while in-use as a webcam. That being said, I have found that using the genuine Fuji battery that came with my camera gets me about 2.5 to 3 hours of battery life when used as a webcam. If you're looking to use it for up to 2 hours tops, you shouldn't have an issue as long as you can start with a fully charged battery every time. Additionally, also for me, once I got everything connected and working, I could simply turn the camera off, swap in a new battery, and turn the camera back on and have everything start right back up immediately.

That being said, it works with a dummy battery for me. Perhaps the power source you have for the dummy battery doesn't provide enough juice to keep the X-S10 powered on properly? I do have Windows though, so I wonder if there's shenanigans afoot with MacOS.

2.5-3 hours will be more than enough. In fact, 1.5 hours should be plenty for 90% of what I'm planning to use it for. It's just a lot easier not to have to worry about charging or swapping batteries.

Which dummy battery are you using? Maybe the one I have isn't great.

The only thing I'd be worried about is if constantly flogging the battery like that might have negative effects on the overall lifespan of the battery.

I live in Japan so I ordered this one off Amazon Japan:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B074GSQM7D/

It's just a cheap, no-name replacement, but it came with a pretty beefy USB wall-wart, which might make a bit of a difference.

mrswitters wrote:

wantfastcars wrote:

The only thing I'd be worried about is if constantly flogging the battery like that might have negative effects on the overall lifespan of the battery.

I live in Japan so I ordered this one off Amazon Japan:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B074GSQM7D/

It's just a cheap, no-name replacement, but it came with a pretty beefy USB wall-wart, which might make a bit of a difference.

Weird. I got this one, which also has a beefy USB brick, and it gets good reviews.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that some folks have had more luck with connecting to a power bank rather than AC power. I might try something like this along with an Anker battery I have.

The advantage to this solution is it would work for mobile video shoots.

That power supply seems to be up to the task — though I have no way of confirming what’s coming through the dummy battery contacts. From the reviews, others are able to use this system for webcam and broadcast. But there are some complaints that the dummy load is a little too short to maintain good contact. Maybe experiment (carefully) with thin shims between the battery door and base of the dummy load.