Recording and live streaming with the Sony camcorder

All equipment required for this setup is available to borrow through Maths IT. Please arrange a booking before your event.

This setup can be used for both recording and live streaming through OBS Studio on a Windows laptop. The camera provides the picture, while the RØDE wireless microphone provides the sound directly to the laptop.

Equipment required

Sony camcorder, HDMI cable and tripod.
Magewell HDMI capture device and USB cable.
RØDE Wireless GO II transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX), with a USB cable.
Windows laptop with OBS Studio installed. The Reception laptop has OBS installed.

Setting up the equipment

Make the connections with the equipment switched off.

Camera and capture device

Mount the Sony camcorder securely on the tripod.
Connect the camera’s HDMI OUT port to the Magewell capture device’s HDMI IN port.
Connect the Magewell capture device directly to a USB port on the laptop. Use a USB 3.0 port where available.

The camera is already configured for this setup. No camera settings need to be changed.

Wireless microphone

Connect the RØDE receiver (RX) to the laptop using its USB cable. It acts as a USB microphone.
Clip the RØDE transmitter (TX) to the speaker’s clothing, approximately 15–20 cm below their chin.
Keep the microphone clear of clothing or jewellery that could rub against it.

The receiver connects directly to the laptop for this setup.

Switching on

Switch on the Sony camcorder and open its screen.
Switch on the RØDE transmitter and receiver. (Press and hold the button for 3 seconds) They should connect automatically if already paired.
Switch on the laptop if it is not already running.

The Magewell capture device receives power through its USB connection.

Setting up OBS Studio

Add the camera picture

Open OBS Studio.
In the Sources panel, click + and select Video Capture Device.
Name the source Sony Camera and click OK.
In the Device list, select the Magewell capture device. It may appear as Magewell USB Capture HDMI, or similar.
Click OK and check that the camera picture appears in the preview.
Adjust the camera and tripod to frame the speaker.

Checking the picture

Check the camera’s screen and the preview in OBS before recording or streaming.

Use the W/T control to adjust the zoom and frame the lecturer or blackboard area.

Add the microphone

In the Sources panel, click + and select Audio Input Capture.
Name the source Speaker Mic and click OK.
In the Device list, select the RØDE Wireless GO II receiver.
Click OK.
Ask the speaker to talk and check that the Speaker Mic level meter moves in the Audio Mixer.

Set the microphone audio to mono

In the Audio Mixer, open the menu next to Speaker Mic.
Select Advanced Audio Properties.
Tick Mono for Speaker Mic.
Close the window.

This ensures the speaker’s voice is heard through both left and right channels.

Mute other audio sources

The Magewell capture device can also carry audio from the camera over HDMI. If this appears in the Audio Mixer, mute it.

Mute any other microphone sources that are not needed, including the laptop’s built-in microphone. Leave Speaker Mic unmuted. Multiple microphones capturing the same speaker can cause doubled or echoing sound.

Test before the event

Check that the camera picture is correctly framed.
Ask the speaker to talk at their normal speaking volume.
Check that the Speaker Mic level meter moves without reaching the red clipping region.
Confirm that Mono is enabled for Speaker Mic and other microphone sources are muted.
Check the recording location under Settings → Output → Recording and ensure the laptop has enough free storage space.
Click Start Recording, record a short sample, then click Stop Recording.
Play back the saved file and check the picture and sound.

Recording and saving

Click Start Recording in OBS at the beginning of the session.

At the end, click Stop Recording and allow OBS to finish saving the file. You can open the recording folder from File → Show Recordings.

Play back the file to confirm that the recording has saved correctly, then copy it to your intended storage location before returning the equipment.

Recordings made using this setup are saved on the laptop.

Recording presentation slides

Slides filmed with a camcorder may be difficult to read. Ask the speaker for a copy of their presentation if you need a clear record of the slides.

Troubleshooting

No camera picture in OBS

Check that the camera is switched on.
Check the HDMI connections at both ends.
Check that the Magewell capture device is connected to the laptop.
Confirm that the Magewell device is selected in the Sony Camera source properties.

No microphone sound

Check that both the RØDE transmitter and receiver are switched on and connected to each other.
Check the receiver’s USB connection to the laptop.
Confirm that the RØDE receiver is selected for Speaker Mic and that the source is unmuted.
In Windows Settings → Sound → Input, check that the receiver is detected and responds when the speaker talks.
If the units are not paired, follow the RØDE Wireless GO II pairing instructions.

Sound is heard on only one side

Open Advanced Audio Properties in the OBS Audio Mixer and check that Mono is ticked for Speaker Mic.

Echoing or doubled sound

Mute the camera’s HDMI audio and any additional microphone sources in OBS. Leave Speaker Mic active.

Capture device not detected

Connect the Magewell device directly to a different USB port, preferably USB 3.0. If it is still not detected, restart the laptop and check the device selection in OBS.

Live streaming and Zoom

Set up and test the camera and microphone as described above, and check that the laptop has a reliable internet connection.

YouTube: Configure the streaming service and event in OBS before starting. Follow the YouTube live streaming instructions.
Zoom: Use OBS Virtual Camera to send the camera picture to Zoom. Follow the OBS Virtual Camera guide. Select the RØDE Wireless GO II receiver separately as the microphone in Zoom.

Standalone recordings with the Sony camcorder