MEVO as WIRED WEBCAM with MacBook Pro 2020 M1

The COMPUTER is the device that CONNECTS to the WIRED internet with the MEVO in WEBCAM MODE.

The MEVO BOOST can not be used when the MEVO is in WEBCAM MODE. 

Here's the HOW TO:

Mevo Wired and Wireless Webcam Mode (Beta)

How To: Create Better Video From Home

If you've watched any late-night TV lately (Jimmy Fallon, SNL, or literally any other show producing remotely), you know that creating quality video from home is NOT easy! Even for TV veterans.

Video blogging pioneer and "Get Seen" author Steve Garfield of SteveGarfield.com shares some tips for creating better video from home. 

We'll talk about audio quality, getting your background camera-ready, lighting tips, and more!

#Marketing Profs PRO video live stream interview with MarketingProfs' Kerry O'Shea Gorgone, and StoryLeader's Chris Brogan, about How To Create Better Video From Home.


AUDIO

Q: What's the most important part of video?
A: Audio

I've done research. If the video quality is less than perfect, but the audio is good, and the content is interesting, people will keep watching your video.

If the audio is bad, they will leave.

If you are recording with a smartphone, the closer you are to the device, the better your audio will be. 

- Know where the microphone is, and talk into it. 

To get better sound, add an external microphone, for a smartphone, video camera, or computer. 

You can use a set of headphones with an attached microphone, or a standalone microphone. 

One tip is to get a floor stand, and swing the microphone around to where you are sitting. That reduces any noise you might make by tapping on your desktop. 

LIGHTING


For lighting, be aware of the light around you. If you are inside and near a window, have the window facing you instead of behind you. If the window is behind you, and you are using a webcam, it probably has auto exposure, and it will set exposure to the light behind you. That's not good. 

In the above photo, I sat in front of the window to make sure this location was perfectly bad to start from. 

The webcam is at desk level, looking up at me. The light is behind me, screwing up the auto exposure of the webcam.

This is the shot that lots of people use from their laptops webcams.

DO NOT DO THIS. 

TIP: Raise the level of the webcam in your laptop camera to meet or line up just above your EYE LEVEL. You can easily do this with a stack of books. 



In the above photo I've added light from TWO SOURCES, a MAIN light and a FILL light. 

The main light is an LED light just to the right of my webcam. The fill light is my desk lamp with an LED bulb. 

I also added a small LED light pointed up towards my bookcase as a back light to allow the webcam to see added depth, but it's small, and not too big to screw up the auto exposure of the webcam. 

BACKGROUND

Set up your webcam and take a photo of where you will be sitting. 















Look at the background. How do you think you might be rated by Room Rater on twitter? Take a look at his twitter feed and see what comments he makes on how to make backgrounds better. 

In this example, after looking at the photo, I decided to move the webcam towards the left to allow more of the bookcase to show up on both sides of me, rather than having the black bookcase look like it was growing out of the top of my head. ;-)

Click through to Steve Garfield's Ultimate Video Gear List: Cameras, Microphones, and Lights to see a list of gear I use.  

What's the Best Webcam to Get for a Laptop Computer

I’d get the newer (2013) one below…

Logitech C920 has been the best and it has a tripod mount.

NEW
Looks like Logitech have a new one, the Pro Webcam: The Logitech Webcam C930e.



Here are the specs:

PRO WEBCAM
Ultra Wide Angle HD Webcam
For desktop video meetings, live feeds, webinars and more

LIST PRICE: $ 129.99
The Ultra Wide Angle webcam that brings pro-quality HD video and stereo audio to desktop video meetings.

• Full HD 1080p video calling (up to 1920 x 1080 pixels) 720p HD video calling (up to 1280 x 720 pixels) with supported clients
• 90 degree field of view
• H.264/SVC video compression
• Supports H.264 1080p for Skype® for Business, along with optimizations for best call performance in single or multiparty HD video.
• Zoom to 4X in 1080p
• Optional light application for control of pan, tilt and zoom
• ZEISS® lens certification
• Autofocus
• External privacy shutter
• Rightlight™ 2 Technology for clear image in various lighting environments, even low light
• Built-in dual stereo mics
• Automatic low-light correction
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified (USB 3.0 ready)
• Tripod-ready universal clip fits laptops, LCD or CRT monitors

From Amazon.com, The Logitech Webcam C930e:

The latest technology for fluid full HD video calls
First 1080p HD webcam with on-camera video processing

Make a professional impression in vivid full HD video at up to a smooth 30 frames per second—without taxing your PC processing power. UVC H.264 encoding technology frees up bandwidth by putting video processing within the camera.

Easily focus in on details
Pan, tilt and zoom

With the ability to digitally pan, tilt and zoom, you can easily focus on visuals and presentations with the highest level of HD video detail. (To control experience, downloadable software application may be required.)

Extended 90-degree field of view
Widest-view business webcam

Now your video meetings can easily include whiteboard presentations or product demos. With an extended 90-degree field of view your clients and colleagues can clearly see you and whatever you’re presenting. And when the webcam is not in use, a convenient privacy screen covers the lens for added privacy and security.

Certified for Lync and Skype
Compatible with most video conferencing apps
Plug-and-play deployment

Enjoy easy USB connectivity to PCs or Macs and seamless compatibility with your familiar video apps—certified for Microsoft Lync 2013 and Skype, compatible with most UC and web conferencing applications, and supports H.264 1080p for Lync 2013.

Automatically adjusts for poor lighting
Autofocus. Auto light correction.

Smooth autofocus keeps your video image razor sharp, even in close ups. Logitech RightLight 2 technology automatically adjusts for low light or backlit situations so you’re always seen in just the right light.

Buy it at Amazon.com (affiliate link)


Logitech C930e 960-000971 USB 2.0 1920 x 1080 Video Webcam

Stay tuned for a hands on review. Here's PCMAG a review from 2013.

WebCamMesh

WebCamMesh, a photo by stevegarfield on Flickr.

WebCamMesh
An HTML5 demo created by freelance web developer Felix Turner that projects webcam video onto a WebGL 3D Mesh.

Use the mouse to tilt and scroll wheel to zoom. Change parameters with the control panel.

I can see some interesting uses for this technology, especially related to Max Headroom!

stevegarfield on USTREAM: #SANDY LIVE video stream from BOSTON

Live Video app for Facebook by Ustream


Image: Ustream

Watch LIVE on Ustream Channel #SANDY from BOSTON by @stevegarfield

Broadcasting using the new Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam for HD Video Streaming, Calling, Recording - Black (960-000854) (Affiliate Link)



Earlier: Installing the Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam

Disclosure: Review Unit http://cmp.ly/1

Sandycam - Hurricane Sandy Live 24/7 on Livestream

Watch: Sandycam - Hurricane Sandy Live 24/7

iSight vs Live Cam Optia Pro

iSight vs Live Cam Optia Pro - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Creative Technology sent me a Live Cam Optia Pro webcam to check out. When I installed it I was surprised at the high quality of the image and the added screen real estate that the wide angle lens provides. Wow! The camera also swivels around so that means I could capture video of things that are in front of my MacBook Pro. It's also attached via a USB cable so I guess I could also attach it to my hat and show up on Justin.TV. Ha ha.