Build a 3 Camera Studio with OBSBOT 4K Tiny PTZ Cameras
Last year I took 3 OBSBOT Tiny 1080p cameras and made a video studio around it. Since then, OBSBOT has come out with the OBSBOT 4K Tiny camera. As last time, I’ll be setting up the 3 cameras to do a recording, livestream, and more.
The Gear:
- OBSBOT 4K Tiny
- Studio lights (NEEWER panel lights)
- Computer (Intel NUC)
- Computer ( Apple Mac Mini M1)
- Microphone – Heil PR-40
- Software: Telestream Wirecast
Time Stamps
- 00:00 Intro
- 1:20 OBSBOT 4K Tiny
- 6:00 OBSBOT software & settings
- 14:07 OBSBOT Camera Setup
- 25:20 OBSBOT 4K Tiny 3 Camera in Production
- 30:57 Sound coming from OBSBOT 4K Tiny Microphones
About the OBSBOT 4K Tiny
This is a USB-C web camera Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) with AI ability to follow you as you walk around. The camera itself is really small – 3.52 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches. Inside is a Sony 1/2.8″ sensor that can capture up to 4K/30fps at F/2.2 (MJPG, H264). It can also capture 1080p video at 60 fps.
The PTZ camera has the ability to pan 360 degrees (180 left and 180 right), while tilting 180 degrees (90 up, 90 down). The Tiny 4K can also digital zoom 4x, as opposed to it’s 1080p counterpart, which only could zoom 2x.
The camera can sit on top of any monitor or laptop screen with the 3-fold magnetic mount. a 1.4 inch threaded nut is also on the bottom if you need to attach to a tripod.
OBSBOT AI
Both the OBSBOT Tiny and the OBSBOT 4K Tiny include AI tracking options with hand gestures. Raise a hand to turn on the AI pan/tilt, and hold up a “L” to have the camera zoom in/out. You can even pass host by who holds their hand up.
You can see this in my video from CES 2018 and the OBSBOT Tail.
Control OBSBOT 4K Tiny PTZ Camera with Software
In the video, I go through all the settings to set up the PTZ camera, including turning on and off the AI tracking and gestures. This is important for the 3 camera studio, as we need one camera to stay static for product shots.
Pros and Cons of OBSBOT 4K Tiny
The biggest issue was connecting up 3 high-data rate cameras into one USB bus. The cameras have a secondary power option, which is needed when you connect more than one camera.
To run 3 cameras, the USB bus is important. In some of my testing, connecting 2 cameras caused the second to scramble. This even includes connecting a 1080p and a 4K. Once I moved the second camera to another bus, it functioned fine.
The software can also see 4 cameras, but I was not able to get 4 to work (3 4K and 1 1080p).
The hand raise AI is nice, but if you use your hands a lot, the OBSBOT can get confused. Better to turn off gestures, then lock/unlock the camera option.
The software does allow you to set scenes, however, you can only activate them with your mouse (no hotkeys). Turning hotkeys on to control the camera pan/tilt will take over your keyboard – which is bad if you need it to type. I am hoping OBSBOT will include VISCA control soon, which will open up to using items like a Stream Deck.
The cameras also cannot be individually labeled. Therefore, you’ll have to keep track as to which one is camera 1, 2 and 3. This can change from a simple computer reboot or disconnection/reconnection of the camera.
Ultimately, this system is small enough to fit all on a desk. With a couple tripods, you can set up a one-on-one interview, product demonstration, and more from a hotel room, conference hall, small apartment, and more.
OBSBOT 4K Tiny Price
The 4K Tiny retails around $269, which you can get here. The 1080p Tiny is also available for $199 here.
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