I wanted to play with some Stop Motion capture, so I got a cheap Logitech C270 webcam.

If I go to either the Stop Motion or the Snapshot tab on the Import page, I have no input device listed (and see nowhere to specify one).  But if I click on MultiCam Captuere, the "MultiCam Lite" window opens and I do see video from the webam there, so I know the webcam is working.

Should Stop Motion capture work with a webcam?

Any suggestions? 

SUMMARY : 

Snapshot = No Device Found

Stop Motion = No Input Signal

MutliCam Capture = This works... why not the others?

 

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Brand new Studio v24 installation on a new Windows 10 installation. 

 

AND...

Greetings!!!   It has been a long, long, long time since I've logged in here.  It was an amazing feeling to see the familiar forum pages again.  I hope this place continues to have the awesome spirit and knowledge and generosity I remember.

Hey Dennis,

What's up ?

No, webcams are not supposed to work with stop motion. Pinnacle Studio needs to be able to control the camera to take photos with it.

Only some cameras are compatible. Read this : http://forums.pinnaclesys.com/forums/permalink/767187/767187/ShowThread.aspx#767187

Hi,

My Logitech 905 work with Stop Motion. 

saby:

No, webcams are not supposed to work with stop motion. Pinnacle Studio needs to be able to control the camera to take photos with it.

Only some cameras are compatible. Read this : http://forums.pinnaclesys.com/forums/permalink/767187/767187/ShowThread.aspx#767187

 

Thank you for the reply.

For the most basic Stop Motion or Screenshot capability, it seems very odd to me that Studio cannot simply capture the incoming video stream and grab an image.  It's not like we need the camera to "take a picture" and store the image on the camera's memory card.  It is especially strange since the video is accepted by Multicam Capture.

Why does it work of "J-C R?"

For sophisticated control, such as if you were trying to have Studio manage the exposure settings and things like that, then it would make sense to support only limited camera brands or models.

 This would be some really good information to include in the online documentation for Stop Motion and Multicam Capture... "Only supported on limited Nikon and Canon camera models."  Burying it in an obscure forum post (and I did search before posting) is not good documentation.

It is also unfortunate that the "Help Desk" people do not know this.  I first looked in the documentation.  Then I tried an online "chat" with support.  Then I came here to the forum, where the knowledgeable and helpful people live (and where I almost went in the first place).

 

My Help Desk story...

The first "help" person gave me some instructions to try and then actually said "I hope this helps" and left the chat 20 seconds later while I was busy following his instructions.  Not impressive.  The second help person officially had no clue, said he'd reach back to his support, and I would get an email.  So far I have an email with a ticket number, but no answer.  If this is officially not supposed to work with a webacm, why don't the Help people know that? 

Closing... 

I did not come here to whine and complain, but I also felt it is important to share my experience.  Thanks again for replying.

Seems that your very recent experience shows that despite the user manual, I m right.

@Saby - It was so nice to hear from you.

 

saby:

Seems that your very recent experience shows that despite the user manual, I m right.

I am not surprised.  I immediately recognized your name and agree that you are a great source of accurate information.

 

Yet that does leave us with this interesting response:

J-C R:

My Logitech 905 work with Stop Motion. 

@J-C... can you add any more info to this?  Maybe a screenshot or anything?  Did you have to do anything special, or did it just magically work? 

My Logitech camera is a lower-end model C270.  It's native resolution is 720p.  I was planning to upgrade to a better camera if this worked and my wife had fun with it (I was considering something like the C920s).  However, if I should not expect any webcam to work, then of course I don't want to waste money.  On the other hand, even though I trust Saby, I do enjoy a good experiment.  Interesting situation.

Good morning from Brisbane,

 My Canon 700D & Logitech 905 work with Capture Video, Stop Motion & Snapshot.

I just connect Them that it.

I am using PSU 23.2.2.297 (64-Bit) 

Thank you.

If I get one (my local store does not have it in stock at the moment) I will post my results here. 

Hi Dennis :-)

FWIW, the webcam built into my laptop appears in both snapshot and stop motion. From memory, I've used an external webcam and a HDMI>USB3 converter successfully as well (I'm not at home to double-check)

 

Thanks, Jeff.  Nice to see you again.  :)

I did get a hold of a HD (1080) resolution webcam, but it made no difference.  I wonder why it works for some people.  What's the secret sauce?  The codec used?

If nobody reported success, I'd totally accept  Saby's statement that webcams aren't supported.  But the manual says they are, and so far at least two people have had webcam success for Stop Motion.  And it works fine for MultiCam Capture.

I'm on a desktop (so no built-in camera), Windows 10, Studio 24, and have attempted two Logitech cameras.  I'm not going to devote my life to this, but it sure would be fun if it magically started working. 

Info:

My Logitech 905 webcam software & driver are installed on pc & laptop & all good.

J-C R:

Info:

My Logitech 905 webcam software & driver are installed on pc & laptop & all good.

 Oooo... that's an idea.  Lotgitech s/w and drivers.  I just used the plug-and-play stuff that happens when you plug in a new USB device.  It was recognized by the MultiCam Capture so I didn't think about adding any non-Studio software.

Was that a specific Logitech application?  I'll look for some drivers and stuff.  I have not installed any Logitech software on my computer.  (I recently updated my motherboard and CPU, so there are a lot of little things I haven't installed yet.)

 

 

Screen Shot (3 in 1)

Thank you for the screenshots.

Not only does my system not recognize the webcam, but I don't even see an "empty dropdown list" for devices.  I don't know if that widget should be present (though empty) of if it really should be completely missing.  I've been considering uninstalling/reinstalling Studio.  Couldn't hurt, right?

 (Always remember, it works fine for MultiCam Capture.)

Any new info on camera compatibility? I love stop motion and was excited to get started on some projects with Studio 25. But I want minimize frustration with camera choice (desktop with no built in cam). Advice? 

@David_LPC, you gave no information about your camera. I tried it on PS25.

I have a desktop with an old Logitech webcam C210. I was able to use it without any issues, and I've never used Stop Motion ever... 

 

Same results here with a Logitech C920.

 Added: Perhaps you could download the trial version and see if it works with your webcam.

No problem here with this webcam checked in captture, snaoshot, stop motion and also multicam capture

Sorry for not being clear. By this "But I want minimize frustration with camera choice (desktop with no built in cam)" I meant that I need to buy a cam and I want to know what works. I do not have one yet.

Thanks! 

David_LPC:

Sorry for not being clear. By this "But I want minimize frustration with camera choice (desktop with no built in cam)" I meant that I need to buy a cam and I want to know what works. I do not have one yet.

Thanks! 

Just be clear we were answering the OP's question, I suggest if you want advise on a webcam to get you start your own post asking that question, it makes life easier for everyone