Connecting Cameras & Video Inputs
Visibox’s Camera Clip can display any live video feed — not just webcams. USB cameras are the most common input, but you can also feed in any HDMI source (a game console, a secondary computer, a video switcher, a broadcast camera) using an inexpensive HDMI capture adapter. If your computer sees it as a camera, Visibox can use it.
USB Cameras
USB cameras are often referred to as “webcams.” However, with various hardware adapters or software solutions, you can connect a wide variety of digital cameras to your computer. But in short, if it works with Zoom, it’ll probably work with Visibox. Additionally, most laptops have a built-in camera. Just set up the laptop next to your drummer, add a Camera Clip to your project, and bonzo! Instant drum cam!
HDMI Video Inputs
Want to pull in an HDMI source — like a game console, a video mixer, a second computer, or a broadcast camera — as a live feed in Visibox? An HDMI capture adapter (sometimes called a capture card or video capture device) is what you need. These devices plug into your computer via USB and present any HDMI signal as a standard camera input, so Visibox (and Zoom, OBS, or any other app) can use it just like a webcam.
What you need:
- An HDMI capture adapter (USB-based devices from brands like Elgato, Magewell, or generic options work well — look for “USB capture card” or “HDMI to USB capture”)
- An HDMI cable from your video source to the capture adapter
To set it up:
- Connect your HDMI source (game console, camera, switcher, etc.) to the capture adapter with an HDMI cable.
- Plug the capture adapter into a USB port on your computer.
- The device will appear in Visibox > Settings > Default Camera alongside your other cameras.
- Add a Camera Clip to your Song and select the capture adapter as the source.
Most USB HDMI capture adapters require no drivers on macOS or Windows — they show up automatically as a standard video device. If your adapter isn’t appearing, check that it’s fully seated in the USB port and that no other app has exclusive access to the device.
HDMI capture adapters vary in quality and latency. For live performance, look for adapters with low-latency pass-through and at least 1080p/30fps capture. Elgato Cam Link, Magewell USB Capture HDMI, and similar devices are popular choices in live production environments.
Virtual Cameras
Visibox also supports “virtual cameras” — software extensions that allow your computer to see an application as a camera. This software may capture a hardware camera input and add effects, or it may capture the output of a software application such as OBS or ManyCam. If you have a hardware network camera that sends a video stream over the network, it may create a virtual camera that you can use in Visibox. This is a great way to add additional camera or video feeds to your setup without saturating your USB bus.
Setting Up Cameras & Video Inputs
All connected cameras and video input devices will show up under Visibox > Settings > Default Camera. This is where you can choose which camera or input will be used when a new Camera Clip is added to your project.
Right-clicking on a Camera Clip in the Controller Window will allow you to choose a specific camera or video input for each clip. So if you’ve got three cameras and an HDMI capture adapter connected, you can switch between all of them independently.