NV-GS70 as web camera, help !!!
 

I'm having problem in setting GS70 as webcam using USB. What I got is blank screen on Netmeeting (as suggested by mfg) or Windows Messenger.

Some people in this forum have claimed that they have succeeded to connect the camera as webcam using USB but without revealing how to do it. Even panasonic support center seems to be having problem to answer my question. I'm starting to be disappointed with DVC from panasonic.

Can anyone help ?? :confused: :confused:

More than likely the problem is with the PC software rather than the camcorder. Many, many people have problems getting a camcorder to function with Netmeeting or Messenger. In fact, I cannot get my DV953 to function in that mode although otherwise it is fine.

Did you install the USB driver and webcam software that came with the cam? Can you download stills from the cam to the PC using USB? If so, the USB connection is working so the problem is not with the cam.

Make sure you have turned off all firewalls and virus checking software. They can block the cam from Messenger. In addition, firewalls have to be off or ports modified for webcams to work. If you are using a router, you will have to put the PC in the DMZ for webcam to work or modify the port assignments.

If you do an Internet search, you will find the forum board Microsoft maintains for Messenger/Netmeeting. There may be information available there to address your problem. Also, check outthe BigBlueBall. There is lots of information there on webcam solutions.

Update:

My laptop is installed with the latest (updated) windows XP. The problem is likely with the usb driver supplied by panasonic (developed in 2002?) because I read somewhere that the driver might not work properly if the pc has more than 1 usb (my laptop has 4 USBs). Panasonic still does not have any driver update.

Note that Netmeeting and windows messenger able you to review the video without connecting to internet. This facility is to ensure the webcam is working properly. Therefore firewall has no affect on this. Virus scan program may cause slowing down the transfer rate from the camera hence reducing video quality.

Today I just bought cheap firewire cable and wa..la.. everything done. But ...another problem come. By using firewire the camera is unable to run in webcam mode so it will turn off by itself due to the camera timer. Anyone know how to deactivate the timer ? By the way, removing the tape from the camera does not deactivate the timer.

I still very disappointed with panasonic service center, they are sucks (pardon my language !)

Has anyone found a solution for this yet?. I also am having problems with my GS70 and not showing a proper video screen in MSN. The problem only started in MSN 6.2 I think, but you cannot run older versions of MSN anymore. The problem does NOT exist in netmeeting.

If anyone has some answers, it would be greatly appreciated!.

Greetings to all!

Firstly congratulations on what is a tremendous forum full of quality information from knowledgeable people happy to share that info.

I too, am having difficulty setting up my GS70 as a webcam and am only able to come up with a black screen in MSMessenger. I get error messages telling me to check connections etc.

I have looked back though this forum trying to find a resolution to my problem.

I can download from SD card on the camera to PC via USB 2.0.

I have downloaded a USB driver from the Panasonic website to no avail.

I have multiple USB 2.0 ports on my PC.

I use XP home SP2.

I follow the Panasonic user manual to the best of my ability.

I did try the Firewire connection in both camera and webcam mode to no avail.

Is there another driver I should be looking at?

Any help with this matter would be most appreciate. As I'm sure it would by the multitude of other users with this same problem.

Many thanks and again, congrats on a marvellous forum.

Pete.

From what I have found out is that our camera will not work in MSN as a webcam. You CAN however use Video Conference in MSN and that will work...

I am using the GS120 as a webcam in MSN Messenger 6.2 (necessary) in video conference mode. The GS120 is set up over Firewire and works just fine. I will test USB and see if that can be made to work, too.

Ok, the GS120 and GS400 work with Firewire in Video Conference mode. I could get neither cam's video to work in USB although the audio does work.

Ok, a further update. On my desktop which has 6 USB ports, I cannot get USB to provide a picture to MSN Messenger although audio works. Video and audio work over Firewire with Video Conference. I cannot get webcam to work.

On my laptop, (HP Pavilion ze5300) which has 2 USB ports, USB works in both video and audio with Video Conference. Video conference also works with Firewire. I cannot get webcam to work.

Both computers are running Windows XP SP2 Home.

It looks like USB usability is computer dependent. It could be driver incompatibility. However, Firewire seems to be a viable option in lieu of USB. Speed appears to be better, too.

Guy and Kim,

Many thanks for you suggestions. I will trial MSMessenger video conferencing shortly as opposed to webcam.

Guy, I was interested to hear the different symptoms that presented on different computers with USB. I will report back when I've trialed Firewired video conferencing.

Thanks again,
Pete.

Greetings Guy,

No joy with the video conferencing either unfortunately. In either usb or firewire for some reason. I think I might be jinxed with such things.

Nevermind, its not a show stopper so I'll let it slide for now.

Thanks again for your help.

Pete.