Can any camera work with LB?

[ehendrix (Eric Hendrix)]

I have a VIVITAR DVR 786HD camera in a drawer. Would this even work in Lightburn?
I could easily build a mount… Maybe

[Dskall (D Kallenberger)]

Most usb cameras work.

[LSS (Samuli Samuelsson)]

Hi.

@ehendrix

Would this even work in Lightburn?

Define work

While You can use almost any camera for monitoring and observation, chances are that the advanced functions won’t work with any random camera.
Ages ago I tried two different cheap cameras, neither would calibrate properly so I gave up and use it solely for monitoring purposes.

Regards,
Sam

[Aaron.F (Aaron)]

@ehendrix

VIVITAR DVR 786HD

This looks like an action cam that only records to an SD card.
I don’t think, it’s sending a live image over the USB connection. But try it. If it shows up as a storage drive without the option to change a mode on the camera, it won’t be possible, unfortunately.

As a rule of thumb, if Windows Photos or MacOS “Photo Booth” can see it, it can be used in LightBurn.

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@LSS

Ages ago I tried two different cheap cameras,

It’s the best time to give it another go!

@LSS

neither would calibrate properly

That’s the main difficulty. Mainly the Lens Calibration.
When you have multiple cameras, it’s important to do a Lens Calibration for each of them individually. This process corrects the bulge, skew, and other things, inherent to any lens.

Capture image shows black screen

LightBurn version 2.0 brought a ton of new camera features! Some of them are not immediately visible, like the completely rewritten Windows drivers. The change to QT6 also opens the door for more exciting camera capabilities in future updates. A list of new features: We introduced a new, post-stoneage way to calibrate the camera lens using the new calibration card with AprilTags and tracking function. (The circle pattern should not be used anymore) [image] …

[LSS (Samuli Samuelsson)]

Hi.

@Aaron.F

It’s the best time to give it another go!

Nah, while I fully undertand the value those advanced camera features offer for certain types of workflows, in mine they offer zero advantage.
Should the situation change at some point, I’ll definitely revisit it.

@Aaron.F

That’s the main difficulty.

It sure was.
I do fully admit that the two main reasons for the failure I experienced, was very cheap and basic cameras paired with a height-restricted enclosure.
If either would be improved, I’m sure that the results would improve as well.
But when I find the time needed for it, a head mounted camera will be the priority for me.

Regards,
Sam

[ehendrix (Eric Hendrix)]

I am going to have to use a USB Bus, I think that is what it is called, due to not having enough USB ports on my laptop. will this cause any issues?

[Aaron.F (Aaron)]

@ehendrix

USB Bus, I think that is what it is called

USB is the Universal Serial Bus, so that’s correct! What you meant is a USB Hub

Yes, they can cause issues with devices. Just be aware and check that first when troubleshooting.

A high-resolution camera can also saturate the USB (2) bandwidth.

Is this about your VIVITAR DVR 786HD or something else? Because, from a quick glance, this camera does not stream live video over the USB

[ehendrix (Eric Hendrix)]

@Aaron.F

What you meant is a USB Hub

Yes, a Hub!

Would I be able to get buy with a cheap Hub or should it be a powered Hub?

I guess the only way to see is by just doing it and see what happens.

Thanks!

[Aaron.F (Aaron)]

@ehendrix

Would I be able to get buy with a cheap

Maybe. It really depends on which devices you are connecting.

@ehendrix

Hub or should it be a powered Hub?

A powered Hub is mainly needed, if your devices draw more current than your USB port on the computer can provide. The fact that it’s powered does not say anything about its quality.

@ehendrix

I guess the only way to see is by just doing it and see what happens.

That’s the spirit! Go for it!

Let us know what you discover.