Steve'sDigicams

loukarg · Jul 31, 2004, 1:58 PM

Hallo everybody! Is there anyone who could suggest a way I could use my Olympus 350z as a web camera for live video conferencing through netmeeting (or any other programm)? I already tried connecting my c350z to the PC, opened netmeeting and followed the path tools->options->video. The only device listed under "video capture device" is my hauppauge win TV capture device, my camera is not listed. I think the problem is that the only thing you can do with the camera when it is connected to the PC is view the photos and copy them to the HDD. I don't know if and how it is possible to take photos or record a video when it is connected to the PC. Is there a program or a button combination or anything that can change it? It is rather stupid that adigital camerathat cost me 350 Euros can't work as a web camera...

CAN ANYONE HELP ME? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Red Viper · Jul 31, 2004, 4:07 PM

Yeah, and just think about all those poor pros with 14MP Kodaks who can't use them as webcams either..how terribly unfair.

If you want a webcam, buy a webcam. You already have a decent digital camera, and I don't know of any product that does both as well as a single device can in each category.

Mikefellh · Jul 31, 2004, 6:03 PM

You can't use them as a webcam, not that you'd want to...when the camera is in use for long periods the CCD heats causing hot pixels, and those hot pixels will eventually become stuck pixels over time which can show up in every picture.

Do you really want to ruin your 350Euro camera on a job a 15Euro webcam can do?

loukarg · Aug 1, 2004, 4:41 AM

Thank you for the answers... Thought that "ruined" pixels are only a TFT Monitor's thing! Thank you for the info!

Mikefellh · Aug 2, 2004, 1:11 AM

Nope, CCDs are notorious for problem pixels, more as it heats up; the longer the shutter speed, the more chance for hot pixels, and with age they show up more easily.

Here's an example of a stuck pixel:
http://humu.ipac.caltech.edu/sirtf/i...n2hotexamp.jpg

Example of dead pixels:
http://humu.ipac.caltech.edu/sirtf/i...2deadexamp.jpg

Some newer Olympus camera have "pixel mapping" which maps out bad pixels so they don't appear in the picture.

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Jul 31, 2004, 1:58 PM	#1
loukarg Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	Hallo everybody! Is there anyone who could suggest a way I could use my Olympus 350z as a web camera for live video conferencing through netmeeting (or any other programm)? I already tried connecting my c350z to the PC, opened netmeeting and followed the path tools->options->video. The only device listed under "video capture device" is my hauppauge win TV capture device, my camera is not listed. I think the problem is that the only thing you can do with the camera when it is connected to the PC is view the photos and copy them to the HDD. I don't know if and how it is possible to take photos or record a video when it is connected to the PC. Is there a program or a button combination or anything that can change it? It is rather stupid that adigital camerathat cost me 350 Euros can't work as a web camera... CAN ANYONE HELP ME? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Jul 31, 2004, 4:07 PM	#2
Red Viper Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 118	Yeah, and just think about all those poor pros with 14MP Kodaks who can't use them as webcams either..how terribly unfair. If you want a webcam, buy a webcam. You already have a decent digital camera, and I don't know of any product that does both as well as a single device can in each category.

Jul 31, 2004, 6:03 PM	#3
Mikefellh Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 1,707	You can't use them as a webcam, not that you'd want to...when the camera is in use for long periods the CCD heats causing hot pixels, and those hot pixels will eventually become stuck pixels over time which can show up in every picture. Do you really want to ruin your 350Euro camera on a job a 15Euro webcam can do?

Aug 1, 2004, 4:41 AM	#4
loukarg Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4	Thank you for the answers... Thought that "ruined" pixels are only a TFT Monitor's thing! Thank you for the info!

Aug 2, 2004, 1:11 AM	#5
Mikefellh Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 1,707	Nope, CCDs are notorious for problem pixels, more as it heats up; the longer the shutter speed, the more chance for hot pixels, and with age they show up more easily. Here's an example of a stuck pixel: http://humu.ipac.caltech.edu/sirtf/i...n2hotexamp.jpg Example of dead pixels: http://humu.ipac.caltech.edu/sirtf/i...2deadexamp.jpg Some newer Olympus camera have "pixel mapping" which maps out bad pixels so they don't appear in the picture.