4K camera use case question

[jtlewis81]

I'm not sure how to search for this question so I apologize if it has been addressed already. I am doing a recording/livestream setup for my church. I know that livestreams on Facebook only go out in 720p, but I want to record 4k60. I am plannign on using the Elgto 4K60 PRO internal capture card. My question is, do i need a camera that can record 60 fps at 4k to get a proper 60 fps recording via the hdmi output from the camera to the Elgato card. I am pretty new to doing these kinds of setups so I also aplogize if this is a noob question. Thanks in advance for any help

Other possibly helpful info: I record using OBS. The pc has a rtx 2060 gpu, a ryzen 5 3600x gpu on a x570 mobo, and 16 GB of 3600Mhz DDR4 RAM.

[AbydosOne]

2 minutes ago, jtlewis81 said:

I'm not sure how to search for this question so I apologize if it has been addressed already. I am doing a recording/livestream setup for my church. I know that livestreams on Facebook only go out in 720p, but I want to record 4k60. I am plannign on using the Elgto 4K60 PRO internal capture card. My question is, do i need a camera that can record 60 fps at 4k to get a proper 60 fps recording via the hdmi output from the camera to the Elgato card. I am pretty new to doing these kinds of setups so I also aplogize if this is a noob question. Thanks in advance for any help

Other possibly helpful info: I record using OBS. The pc has a rtx 2060 gpu, a ryzen 5 3600x gpu on a x570 mobo, and 16 GB of 3600Mhz DDR4 RAM.

First question to ask yourself: does anyone want to watch this in 4Kp60? The answer is "probably no one" or "they can live with 1080p". This will help your storage budget a year or so from now.

 

To answer your question: yes, the camera you use will need to be able to (at minimum) record at the resolution/frame rate you want to capture at (pixels can't be pulled from thin air, mind you). That said, 4Kp60 is a lot, and I'm not even sure there are cameras that can output that over HDMI that aren't full-on professional video cameras.

[Hackentosher]

One thing to look out for is recording time limits. Many DSLRs and other cameras limit the amount of time a single recording can be, at least if you're recording internally. Another thing you need to look out for is whether or not the camera can actually maintain hours of video recording without overheating, and if overheating is a problem when recording via an HDMI capture device. 

 

In addition, make sure to pick up a battery AC adapter thing that way you don't have to worry about running down the battery mid stream. Usually they're shaped like your camera's battery, but have a little cable poking out the bottom like this.

[kirashi]

33 minutes ago, jtlewis81 said:

My question is, do i need a camera that can record 60 fps at 4k to get a proper 60 fps recording via the hdmi output from the camera to the Elgato card.

 

Yes... your capture card only records at the source being provided to it, up to whatever resolution it supports. If your source is a BabiesFirst™ MiniCam™ SDquabbity™ model that shoots at 640x480p, your video can only ever be as good as said resolution.

[GDRRiley]

you need a camera that outputs 4k 60 to get 4k 60.

for most live streams I'd go 1080/720 30p

AG-AC30 would be a great camera no need for 4k

[jtlewis81]

Thanks for the feedback guys. When looking for cameras, I could not find any specs that said what the camera specifically pushed through the hdmi output. Having priced some different models it looks like I have to settle for 30 fps at 4k to stay under budget. Which honestly is probably more than fine. I am not too worried about storage. HDDs are cheap enough. I was just wondering if I was over-reaching for 4K60 and it looks like that was the case. I had been looking at Panasonic's AG-UX90 or HC-X1. Any thoughts on those? Also...any recommendations for a mount that can be attached to a window frame or sill and has remote pan/tilt? Preferably something with some shock absorption.

[GDRRiley]

why do you want 4k still? doesn't make any sense?

window frame mount is odd and good luck finding something that is motorized for cheap.

if you need those kinds of features your looking at a PTZ camera

[jtlewis81]

@GDRRiley I want 4K for local recordings for special events. It's a little bit of future proofing. The way tv prices have dropped I don't think it will be too long before 4k is widely used. It took me a long time to get a budget for this and I don't expect to get to do any upgrading for a long time, so I am planning ahead as much as possible. And I do know I will only be streaming 720p for facebook.

I found a small pan tilt thing on B&H Photo for $130, but it's not highly rated. I can spend a few hundred for a good mount, I just need to find one. I don't have much room to setup a tripod, so i need something that can go on a wall at least. Beign able to mount on the window in my booth would have been optimal, but a wall mount would do.

[GDRRiley]

16 minutes ago, jtlewis81 said:

@GDRRiley I want 4K for local recordings for special events. It's a little bit of future proofing. The way tv prices have dropped I don't think it will be too long before 4k is widely used. It took me a long time to get a budget for this and I don't expect to get to do any upgrading for a long time, so I am planning ahead as much as possible. And I do know I will only be streaming 720p for facebook.

I found a small pan tilt thing on B&H Photo for $130, but it's not highly rated. I can spend a few hundred for a good mount, I just need to find one. I don't have much room to setup a tripod, so i need something that can go on a wall at least. Beign able to mount on the window in my booth would have been optimal, but a wall mount would do.

for a motorized system this has decent reviews

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1462751-REG/logitech_960_001226_rally_camera.html

looks like no need for a capture card just plug in via USB+power

[jtlewis81]

@GDRRileyI've seen that one. The problem is it has been on back order for a while. We are wanting to move forward soon so we can return borrowed equipment. Thanks though!

[GDRRiley]

10 minutes ago, jtlewis81 said:

@GDRRileyI've seen that one. The problem is it has been on back order for a while. We are wanting to move forward soon so we can return borrowed equipment. Thanks though!

almost anything is backordered right now.

[Carrot1151]

I know its not any help with the motorised part but if you look up Flash wall mounts you can find a range of fitting that attach to wall and ceilings and have 1/4 20 threads (tripod thread) on a spigot that will allow you to fit most camera rigs to them. They go from small almost flush plates to extendable arms that can swing out to around 1.5 meters. Just a thought but have you looked at the remotely operated dslr gambles as a possibility to mount your camera have a look at this vid to see the sort i am suggesting many brands now to the same thing. It would also allow you to change out camera as you want in future.