Feed alternative camera or video sources into Pathable's Zoom webinars Follow

When using the Pathable-integrated Zoom client, you can specify an external source for your video and audio inputs.  Below are two ways you can connect external video and audio sources as the Zoom presenter.

Using a capture device (dongle) or external USB camera

1. Before joining the meeting, connect your dongle or external USB camera to the machine that will be the ‘Presenter’ in the session.
2. Ensure that you have installed the Zoom native application, the latest drivers, and all factory software for your device.
3. Within the Pathable meeting, click ‘Join Now’ from the session page or through the ‘Manage’ button.
4. Once the native Zoom app is open, click on the caret ( ^ ) next to the video camera icon and select your video capture device.  The device name should be recognizable in the list.
5. Next, click on the caret next to the microphone icon and select the audio device that you will be using for your presentation. (note: this does not have to be the same as the video device)
6. Your Zoom presentation is now set to use your external video and audio sources.

Capturing a local network device with NDI 

1. 1. Before beginning, download and install the latest NDI tools on any machines that will be using NDI video.  (this may require a reboot)
   2. Physically connect all machines or NDI cameras through a gigabit ethernet switch or router using CAT6 ethernet cable.
   3. On any machine that will be an input ‘Source’, open the NDI Scan Converter app.  This will add a blue icon to your taskbar. 
      1. 1. Right click on the icon and set the source for the video and audio.
         2. With this tool, you are able to convert external devices, webcams, and displays to network sources.
   4. On the machine that will be the ‘Presenter’, open the NDI Virtual Input app.  This will add a yellow icon to your taskbar.
      1. 1. Right click on the icon and select the source device and the feed that you want to connect to Zoom.
   5. Within the Pathable meeting, click on the ‘Join Now’ button from the session page or through the ‘Manage’ button.
   6. Once the native Zoom app is open, click on the caret ( ^ ) next to the video camera icon and select the ‘NewTek NDI Video’ as the source.
   7. Next, click on the caret next to the microphone icon and select ‘Line (NewTek NDI Audio)’. (note: this does not have to be the same as the video device)
   8. Your Zoom session is not set to use NDI video and audio sources.

Using vMix to switch content in Zoom

1. Before joining the meeting, ensure that you have the latest vMix client, VB Audio Cable and the Zoom native application installed on your machine.
2. Open vMix and change the master audio output to “CABLE Input (VB_audio Virtual Cable)”. (if not already set, this requires restarting vMix)
3. Add your inputs as needed to vMix.
4. Click on the “External” button at the bottom of the vMix application.
5. Within the Pathable meeting, click ‘Join Now’ from the session page or through the ‘Manage’ button.
6. Once the native Zoom app is open, click on the caret ( ^ ) next to the video camera icon and select “vMix Video”.
7. Next, click on the caret next to the microphone icon and select “CABLE Output (VB_audio Virtual Cable)”.
8. Your Zoom presentation is now set to use your external video and audio sources.

Here's a tutorial that demonstrates connecting vMix to Zoom:

Examples

Type 1: Hybrid meeting with standard production workflow.

In this situation the AV Production Partner is switching content to screens with a switcher that outputs SDI video with embedded audio.

1. Using an external capture device, a “Magewell USB Capture SDI Gen2”, the Production Partner connects the dongle to the machine that will be logged into the Pathable platform as the ‘Presenter’.  
2. Production Partner ensures that the computer is physically connected via ethernet cable and ensures that the drivers for the device are current.  
3. The Production Partner connects the SDI cable to the dongle.
4. On the presenter’s computer, the Production Partner browses to the session and clicks on the ‘Join Now’ button as the presenter.  
5. The native Zoom app launches and the presenter selects the dongle input as the video and audio source.  
6. The Zoom meeting is now sending the local, in-room video and audio to the virtual attendees.

Type 2: Virtual production with NDI production workflow.

In this situation the AV Production Partner has an internal network for NDI production and can connect directly to the Pathable computer.

1. Using a Tricaser, vMix, Wirecast or other software production switcher, the Production Partner will send an NDI output to the internal gigabit network.
2. Production Partner connects the presenter computer to the NDI network.
3. Using the NDI Virtual Input application, the Production Partner sets the NDI source to the software production switcher’s NDI output.
4. On the presenter’s computer, the Production Partner browses to the session and clicks on the ‘Join Now’ button as the presenter.  
5. The native Zoom app launches and the presenter selects the NewTek NDI Video as the video source and ‘Line (NewTek NDI Audio)’ audio source.  
6. The Zoom meeting is now sending the virtual video and audio to the virtual attendees.