In Livestream Studio, you have the option of using a Windows desktop system as a remote camera source by connecting it to Studio over your local network connection. This is great for adding a slideshow presentation into your production.
Installing & Configuring the Remote Client
First, be sure to connect your remote Windows computer to the same network access point to which the computer running Livestream Studio is connected.
Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen steps to run the installation wizard, then click Finish.
Remote Camera will launch in the background of your PC. Right-click on the icon in the bottom toolbar and select Settings.
Here you can adjust your remote camera’s name as well as set which video and audio signals are visible from that PC. In this example, only the Desktop screen is visible, but other video sources that are later added to this computer can also be detected (e.g. webcams).
Computer Name: The name that will appear in the remote camera module for your remote camera source.
Checked sources will be available to use from this system as a remote camera source. This includes any connected cameras and screens. Uncheck any sources you do not want to Studio to access.
Encoder Quality: The resolution you want the video to stream over your network to Livestream Studio. Slower CPU's should use a lower resolution.
Encoder Framerate: The frame rate you want the video to stream over your network to Livestream Studio. Slower CPU's should use 'half-speed FPS (30p).'
Add the Remote Desktop to Studio
Back in Livestream Studio, go to the Inputs tab. You can add your remote PC to Studio by selecting Add Input > Remote, then select the name of your PC.
The Remote source will be added to your list of inputs. You can rename it if you wish or change it to a different remote source from the drop-down menu that appears. You will also see a status (e.g. "Perfect streaming") indicating its connection strength.
To configure settings for the remote input in Studio, select the gearwheel to the right of the input.
Under the General tab, you'll see additional options:
Video Source: The remote client has the ability to use either the system's desktop, an attached webcam, or an installed Blackmagic capture device as a video source. Use the drop-down menu to select which one you want to use.
Monitor: If you select 'Desktop' as the video source and the remote system has multiple displays, you can configure which display you would like to use as a source by selecting it from the drop-down menu.
Capture Device: If you select a Blackmagic Capture Device as your video source and have more than one installed on your system, choose which one you want to use.
Audio Source: You also have the option of selecting from any of your available audio devices. The default is the standard system audio output.
Capture Mouse Cursor: Unselect this option if you would not like to see the mouse cursor on the remote system.
Learn more about configuring additional input settings.
Troubleshooting
If you are not seeing any options on the list within the Remote Cam tabs, please check the following:
- Make sure the remote system is on the same network, connected to the same Router or Access Point as your Studio system.
- If the system is on the same network but using a different access point, the Remote Camera will not properly connect.
- Check that the following ports are open if you use a firewall:
- UDP: 5353, 60936 - 61036
TCP: 60936 - 61036
- UDP: 5353, 60936 - 61036
- Check that Bonjour Service has started.