Experimenting with a multi-camera setup for zoom, streaming, board game vlogging

[mouser]

Today I decided to experiment a little with configuring a multi-camera setup with a top-down camera, for vlogging board games, etc.
With this setup I can switch between front and top down cameras, or combine them, and then easily disconnect the "boom" when not in use just swing away the boom out of view into the bookshelf when not in use (version 2).



Playing with greenscreened top-down overly:

[Shades]

Would such a system not help in allowing actual board games or tabletop games to be played remotely, if the remote player would be in control of which camera he/she chooses to use at any given moment?

After all, you did make an automated dice roller a while back....

[mouser]

I'd like to revive that dice fairness analyzer project..

[mouser]

The software I'm using currently is the commercial tool XSplit Broadcaster but I will also be trying out the open source alternative OBS (Open Broadcaster Software).
They both let you create "scenes" with different cameras and overlays and combine them into one virtual camera that another tool (such as Zoom) sees.

[wraith808]

In that last image, I can't even tell that they are not in the same frame.  It looks pretty amazing!  I've seen that one some videos on youtube, and thought it witchery!

I like your shelves! Just had to add that.  I'm obsessed with built-ins.

[mouser]

Yeah it is kind of witchery.
For the green screen working area I use a green fabric on my desk:
[attach]

[wraith808]

It could work really well with the idea of playing board games together.  Both of you could have the same board game, and you could visually see where the other person was moving, and mirror it on your own board.

[superboyac]

The software I'm using currently is the commercial tool XSplit Broadcaster but I will also be trying out the open source alternative OBS (Open Broadcaster Software).
They both let you create "scenes" with different cameras and overlays and combine them into one virtual camera that another tool (such as Zoom) sees.

I use OBS, I like OBS better.  I also use an elgato streamdeck for physical buttons that can do whatever you want, makes life a lot easier.
OBS probably has a more active community, and more features if you dig into it.

I want to do green screen stuff also.  I'll get around to it.  I have been working on my setup in these times as well.

How do you have 4 monitors connected?  what kind of gpu?  I tried to do 4 but i only had 3 slots, and after that the adapters dont work well. 

[mouser]

I have 2 nvidia display adapters, a GTX 1070 and a GTX 660.

The 660 is actually driving three of my displays, and the 1070 one.

[superboyac]

I have 2 nvidia display adapters, a GTX 1070 and a GTX 660.

The 660 is actually driving three of my displays, and the 1070 one.

ah that makes sense.
two nights ago, i was trying to get the 4th to work, and i was like I think i need a second card.  no amount of converters/adapters work after a while.

[mouser]

The 660 SHOULD be able to drive all 4 I believe, but I've never tried it.
The real annoyance with drying to drive all 4 from 1 display is that each card has a mixture of ports (dvi, hdmi, displayport), and I've had issues with monitors waking up weirdly when connected to some ports.. The current arrangement seems to work.

[mouser]

I also use an elgato streamdeck for physical buttons that can do whatever you want, makes life a lot easier.

Looks very fun and useful if you are streaming to switch views.

I wonder if there is a tool for a mobile phone or tablet that one could use instead..

[mouser]

I modified my setup to connect the wooden "boom" to the underside of the bookshelf such that I can just swing it away invisibly into the bookshelf when not in use.

[superboyac]

The 660 SHOULD be able to drive all 4 I believe, but I've never tried it.
The real annoyance with drying to drive all 4 from 1 display is that each card has a mixture of ports (dvi, hdmi, displayport), and I've had issues with monitors waking up weirdly when connected to some ports.. The current arrangement seems to work.

i just couldn't get 4 to work.  I also felt it was capable.  But it would require one to get disable to use the other, etc so even if there were 4 plugged in only 3 could be used.  But really, yes, not enough plugs essentially....one way or the other.

your setup kicks ass...i'm getting lots of ideas.