Panasonic Cameras are compatible to popular streaming platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, Facebook Live, and many more!
You can connect your camera to a capture device that transmits the video signal. As long as your camera has a clean HDMI output (no interface controls displayed through HDMI connection), the capture device will be able to transmit the video signal to be used for your streaming needs. You may still stream via HDMI if your camera does not have a clean HDMI output, however, you will have an overlay of the interface on top of your video.
While the models listed below can provide live, clean video, some will not be able to do so while in record mode.
Capture devices transfer a single display (usually over HDMI input) into a live video feed that can be broadcast or recorded. There are many of these available including products from Elgato, Magewell, AJA and Avermedia. Streaming applications can then take that video feed and broadcast it live.
For operational information of the devices listed above, contact the manufacturer directly.
There are plenty of programs available for streaming with a computer. We will focus on the free and popular OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS. Open Broadcast Software (OBS) is open source and a very popular choice for new streamers. StreamLabs OBS is another free software that’s based on OBS but includes various additional functions. Streamlabs OBS give users the ability to easily customize what their stream looks like. Users can create a number of different layouts (or Scenes as they’re called) and switch between them while the broadcast is running. These layouts can be made up of different inputs such as games, browsers, or other desktop apps, and even different cameras, and the ability to switch on the fly can make the stream look very polished.
Please do note that there is a 24 hour delay when registering for your first YouTube live stream. During this delay, you will not yet have the ability to stream.
Panasonic hybrid cameras have the ability to turn off power saving functions which turn off the camera when it thinks it is idle. This allows the camera to continuously output over HDMI without recording, as long as there is power.
Panasonic cameras have high efficiency when in video mode so most of the models will last close to 2 hours and some of the higher-level models over 3 hours if just outputting over HDMI. Selected mirrorless models feature USB charge and supply so they can be run using USB power. The other option is to use the optional DC couplers and AC Adaptors.
This is up to the discretion of the user and what they intend to stream. Someone who is playing live music may want to input the audio through the camera. However, someone who is moving around and wearing a headset may find a desk microphone more suitable. G and S Series cameras have the ability to input XLR microphones or audio mixers using the XLR adaptor.
Depending on what you are streaming, you can set your streaming bandwidth somewhere between 2.5Mbps to 6Mbps (6Mbps for 1080p60). Do some internet speed tests and check your streaming platform website for specific guides and recommendations, but most platforms do not recommend any higher than 6Mbps.
Cameras like the HC-X1500 / HC-X2 / HC-X20 / HC-X2000 / AG-CX10 feature RTMP capabilities allowing users to stream direct to the platform of their choice with no fuss. However, users may want a more polished option with multiple layouts, add overlays and the ability to switch scenes. This sort of user would benefit from using a capture card.
This will depend on the computer. Yes, using a capture card will add an additional load on your computer and can affect its gaming capabilities. Top level streamers sometimes use a second computer just to stream their gaming. That said, more powerful computers with faster processors/graphics cards may not see any drop in performance. Reducing the resolution of the capture down to 1080p on the camera will help reduce some of the load, also adjusting the output bitrate on the broadcast software.