From b8b7ee2ac52b67828c6422959b41be9b868e8223 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Konstantin Nazarov Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2021 21:50:25 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add more posts --- .../note.md | 51 +++++++++++++++++++ .../note.md | 22 ++++++++ 2 files changed, 73 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/posts/how_to_use_sony_cameras_as_webcam_in_linux/note.md create mode 100644 content/posts/minimalist_linux_teleprompter_idea/note.md diff --git a/content/posts/how_to_use_sony_cameras_as_webcam_in_linux/note.md b/content/posts/how_to_use_sony_cameras_as_webcam_in_linux/note.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d3fd63 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/how_to_use_sony_cameras_as_webcam_in_linux/note.md @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ +X-Date: 2021-11-13T14:30:22Z +X-Note-Id: fe1e98c9-b6ef-40ac-bac2-45b463f73cc9 +Subject: How to use Sony cameras as webcam in Linux +X-Slug: how_to_use_sony_cameras_as_webcam_in_linux + +I've finally found a setup that allows me to get good picture +quality on video calls and in youtube videos, while keeping the +number of hacks and configuration necessary at zero level. + +Now I'm using a Sony a6400 camera with a simple HDMI cable, and +a cheap $10 HDMI to USB capture card. It allows the camera to be +detected in my system as a plain old webcam, while keeping all the +benefits of a good camera, like autofocus and good color balance. + +Most guides on the internet will tell you to use companion software +from the vendor, and connect the cameras through USB directly. But +this has a few shortcomings: + +- The software is often buggy and gets fixes rarely. This is because + the direct capture from the camera to USB is a rare use-case, and + the vendor doesn't earn any money with making this software reliable. +- The software only works on Windows or Mac. Or even only on Windows. +- Virtual webcams created by the software are often not visible in + certain apps like Skype without special hacks. And it may break with + new releases as well. + +The only reliable way is to use a real HDMI capture card. One of the +reasons this works is because modern mirrorless cameras have HDMI +output that is used in professional settings (e.g. monitoring the +video feed from the camera on external screens). So if you buy a +camera that supports clean HDMI output, you may be certain that it +will just work. And if it works when you buy it, there's no need to +update the firmware or fiddle with anything. + +One caveat I've found with this approach is that you need to be careful +which vendors you buy the cameras from. There's a law in Europe that +says that everything that can record more than 30 consecutive minutes +of video is considered a movie camera and is taxed with an additional +tax. So Canon cameras, for example, don't even allow you to get a +continuous and uninterrupted video stream. They are just programmed to +auto-shutdown after 30 minutes, and there's nothing you can do about it. + +Sony, on the other hand, apparently decided to make their cameras a bit +more expensive, but include the uninterrupted video functionality. +So I just purchased one of their latest products, the a6400. + +One of the best things about these Sony cameras is that they have a smart +sleep functionality. If the receiving end is not actively reading data from +HDMI, it will fall asleep after a certain period of time. So if you've +ended a video call or recording, but forgot to switch off the camera, it +is smart enough to shut itself off. diff --git a/content/posts/minimalist_linux_teleprompter_idea/note.md b/content/posts/minimalist_linux_teleprompter_idea/note.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8499452 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/minimalist_linux_teleprompter_idea/note.md @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +X-Date: 2021-11-08T23:22:34Z +X-Note-Id: fa98a093-818f-489f-823b-49d73b43eda6 +Subject: An idea: minimalist Linux teleprompter +X-Slug: minimalist_linux_teleprompter_idea + +As I have a [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXl4fIN0Rix5lkbwQ0UI43w), I use +lots of tools that help me with filming videos. One of such tools is a teleprompter. This is +a device that helps me remember key points that I want to talk about without looking sideways. + +Before recently, I used my phone as a teleprompter. But since Apple now refuses to accept my +cards (due to region locking), the phone teleprompter stopped working. So I was thinking -- +maybe it's possible to do something simple that would work on Linux? I mean, there are small +external HDMI displays you can put into the telemprompter instead of a phone. + +The only problem is that there are no simple teleprompters that are lightweight. Here are my requirements: + +- Accept Markdown as input +- Produce a scrollable area with light text on dark background (to reduce the bleed of reflection into the camera) +- Allow remote control through a macropad or an analog wheel + +I don't think I'm asking for too much. It can really be done with just a little bit of code. +Maybe I'll even take it as a next side-project.