Can live video from a miniDV camera be streamed over a network? If so, how?

Question

Is there any free software that can be used to stream live video from a miniDV camera connected to a computer to another computer? If answers could be provided quickly, that would be much appreciated as I have this project that needs doing tomorrow afternoon.

Answer 1

Assuming you have either a video capture card or chipset, or a firewire card or chipset...

How about Windows Media Encoder on the sending computer and Windows Media Player on the receiving computer?

Both are free!

(comments re Additional Details)

Yes, WME very definitely does real time live streaming encoding.  I know.  I'm the administrator of a college streaming server.

Also:  I'm sorry, I don't know what's available for live streaming on the Mac -- maybe Adobe Flash video or Real Media?

re USB cams - How good do you want this to look?  USB webcams are usually 1/4 screen 15fps.

Answer 2

a miniDV camera is a poor choice for internet streaming. that is because the datarate over firewire is fixed at 25 mbps. The fastest DSL lines are under 2 mbps. That is quite a crunch for the software to do in real time.

A camera that has USB connectivity can generate a much slower data rate, making the relay at the computer an easier task. Also USB is not a fixed rate, so data can be sent out from the camera in bursts freeing the processor to do IP tasks as needed.

Answer 3

Have you tried the software that came with your camera??Streaming video is done via USB!! Have you checked your camcorder support site??