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content/posts/how_to_use_sony_cameras_as_webcam_in_linux/note.md

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+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.

content/posts/minimalist_linux_teleprompter_idea/note.md

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+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.