Trying to Zoom with my K-3 as webcam connected to PC laptop

AvaGondolier · 10-26-2021, 09:33 PM

When I connect to my laptop's HDMI port, nothing happens.
When I connect through USB, it just opens the folders of my two memory cards.

I have a 15mm lens and a stereo mic I really want to use to give more life to a small group in Zoom meetings but don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I checked software downloads on the Ricoh site but don't see anything that helps there. Any advice? Thank you.

ofer4 · 10-26-2021, 10:24 PM

You'd need an HDMI/USB video capture adapter to do this.

But you'd also need a camera that can output a 'clean' HDMI feed. I don't think that the K-3 can do this, but others might be able to correct me.

Ricoh really ought to provide an update/tool for this task since Canon has done so during the pandemic!

biz-engineer · 10-26-2021, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by ofer4

You'd need an HDMI/USB video capture adapter to do this.

I haven't tried, but it seems that a HDMI to USB adapter is the most simple solution.

Originally posted by ofer4

But you'd also need a camera that can output a 'clean' HDMI feed. I don't think that the K-3 can do this, but others might be able to correct me.

This is assuming we don't want any overlay on the output. If the video output at HDMI is the same as on the back display of the camera in live view mode, than the overlay at HDMI output should be minimal.
But I haven't tried, so I can't tell exactly how it is.

A thing I discovered in home office, is that a camera + lens would be much better than a webcam. Benefit of using a camera: possibility to adjust height on tripod, and choice of focal length.

**clackers** · 10-27-2021, 12:22 AM

Originally posted by AvaGondolier

When I connect to my laptop's HDMI port, nothing happens.

Your laptop can output HDMI, it can't receive it, Ava!

Ofer4 explains what you need, you can buy an external capture card.

**UncleVanya** · 10-27-2021, 05:48 AM

The k-3 doesn’t have a built in webcam function so connection to usb won’t work. The hdmi output of the camera will have to be captured and that requires some device external to the camera and laptop. (Some are as small as a cable) Additionally the hdmi output is likely cloned from the lcd panel output which will mean the camera data that shows up there will be captured and the resolution is likely limited to the back lcd’s resolution.

---------- Post added 10-27-21 at 08:50 AM ----------

Btw - my Sony A7rII could do this in theory. In practice it was quite finicky. The in camera function was far less reliable on that camera than what an external capture device is likely to have.

**Digitalis** · 10-27-2021, 07:41 AM - **1 Like**

you would need one of these:

Elgato cam link- it turns any device capable of outputting HDMI into a USB camera.

10-26-2021, 09:33 PM	#1
AvaGondolier New Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 1	Trying to Zoom with my K-3 as webcam connected to PC laptop When I connect to my laptop's HDMI port, nothing happens. When I connect through USB, it just opens the folders of my two memory cards. I have a 15mm lens and a stereo mic I really want to use to give more life to a small group in Zoom meetings but don't know what I'm doing wrong. I checked software downloads on the Ricoh site but don't see anything that helps there. Any advice? Thank you.

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10-26-2021, 10:24 PM	#2
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	You'd need an HDMI/USB video capture adapter to do this. But you'd also need a camera that can output a 'clean' HDMI feed. I don't think that the K-3 can do this, but others might be able to correct me. Ricoh really ought to provide an update/tool for this task since Canon has done so during the pandemic!

10-26-2021, 11:08 PM	#3
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,252	Originally posted by ofer4 You'd need an HDMI/USB video capture adapter to do this. I haven't tried, but it seems that a HDMI to USB adapter is the most simple solution. Originally posted by ofer4 But you'd also need a camera that can output a 'clean' HDMI feed. I don't think that the K-3 can do this, but others might be able to correct me. This is assuming we don't want any overlay on the output. If the video output at HDMI is the same as on the back display of the camera in live view mode, than the overlay at HDMI output should be minimal. But I haven't tried, so I can't tell exactly how it is. A thing I discovered in home office, is that a camera + lens would be much better than a webcam. Benefit of using a camera: possibility to adjust height on tripod, and choice of focal length.

10-27-2021, 12:22 AM	#4
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by AvaGondolier When I connect to my laptop's HDMI port, nothing happens. Your laptop can output HDMI, it can't receive it, Ava! Ofer4 explains what you need, you can buy an external capture card.

10-27-2021, 05:48 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	The k-3 doesn’t have a built in webcam function so connection to usb won’t work. The hdmi output of the camera will have to be captured and that requires some device external to the camera and laptop. (Some are as small as a cable) Additionally the hdmi output is likely cloned from the lcd panel output which will mean the camera data that shows up there will be captured and the resolution is likely limited to the back lcd’s resolution. ---------- Post added 10-27-21 at 08:50 AM ---------- Btw - my Sony A7rII could do this in theory. In practice it was quite finicky. The in camera function was far less reliable on that camera than what an external capture device is likely to have.

10-27-2021, 07:41 AM - 1 Like	#6
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	you would need one of these: Elgato cam link- it turns any device capable of outputting HDMI into a USB camera.