Howto use GoPro HERO9 Black as Webcam and for Video Live Streaming

Yesterday my new GoPro HERO 9 Black Action Cam has arrived and after first tests on my Mountain Bike to check out how 5k Videos and Hypersmooth 3.0 (can we already burn our gimbals?) works I went deeper into webcam and live streaming mode.

Webcam Setup

First of all you need to download the beta version of the GoPro Webcam Utililty Software here . You can also use Facebook and ask to join the Group to discuss. If you don`t have Facebook, you can download it here as well (but then you need to care about updates by yourself because you are going to miss Facebook announcements)

Find more instructions for setup here in GoPro`s Guide

DC Rainmaker made a good video and helps with questions around right USB Cable and firmware issues

Now Tool is installed on my Windows 10 machine and I can choose between wide, narrow and linear mode. Mac Users can choose between 1080p and 720p,so you won\’t be able to use it as 4K Webcam.

Currently Webcam Mode is the only way I am using GoPro 9 on my computer in video calls, Meetings and with OBS. No wireless options as we seen with Nikon and Canon. I am still using my GoPro 7 together with my video mixer Atem Mini but that´s not posstible out-of-the-box with GoPro Hero9 – and it`s not a matter of cables. I can connect my USB-C to HDMI cable with GoPro9 and Atem but HDMI Output is not supported and settings have been removed. I need to purchase a new Media Mod which is currently out of stock.

External Microphones?

I tried to connect my Rode VideoMicro with original Rode cables and USB-connectors but no chance to get detected. GoPro9 also doesn\’t offer a setting to choose between internal and external microphones. So using OBS Studio I added easily my external mics and got lip sync without delays (better than GoPro 7). But for a none PC/Mac/OBS solution I need to wait for Media Mod Case like mentioned above.

Now I have tested Tonor TC-777 USB microphone together with GoPro9, check out my Blogpost and my video review:

Video Live Streaming Destinations

gonna record videos later about my experiences streaming to these destinations, also Corporate Streaming topics like Microsoft Stream, Yammer and Microsoft Teams (custom RTMP)

FAQ

• Is 4K Video Streaming?
  That`s a great question but I am currently not aware about destinations which support 4K. YouTube 4K doesn\’t work. Please let me know more in your comments
• Webcam not recognized, I just see the GoPro default picture
  Make sure you have Firmware 2.0 installed. Reboot your machine after installing the webcam tool. Make sure your camera is in GoPro Connect mode: On your camera, go to Preferences>Connections>GoPro Connect
• My video looks laggy, Black, and/or scrambled.
  This is likely caused by a known USB 2.0 issue.  USB 2.0 Cables  (like the one that came with your GoPro) currently do not work in USB 3.x ports.  We are working on a fix for this but in the mean time, you can use a USB 3.1 or 3.2 cable to fix this issue.   Here is a link to one that has been tested and works.
  USB 3.1 Gen 2 A to C: https://amzn.to/31JZVaJ
  USB 3.1 Gen 2 C to C: https://amzn.to/3hzEI81
• which OBS settings are recommended?
  Settings/Video/
  – Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1920×1080
  – Output (scaled) Resolution: 1920×1080
  – Common FPS Value: 60
• Is GoPro internal microphone supported for webcam usage?
  Not supported at the moment
• I notice a delay between Audio and Video when using OBS
  go to \”Advanced Audio Properties\” setting in OBS and changethe Sync Offset setting. It\’s a bit tricky, you need to find the correct value.
  

Do you need an Action Cam which can use a Microphone as Webcam Audio Source?

I am currently using my Insta360 One RS as Webcam which supports internal and external microphones as webcam source