Camera Settings Guide

Per-camera configuration for the Multi-Camera Livestream Framework.

Last Updated: 2025-01-20 Version: 1.0.0

Overview

This document contains the specific settings for each camera in your multi-camera setup. Consistent settings across all cameras ensure seamless switching and a professional look.

Universal Settings

Apply these settings to all cameras for consistency:

Video Output

Setting Value Notes
Resolution 1920x1080 Or match DeckLink input
Frame Rate 60p Or 30p if all cameras match
HDMI Output Clean/No Info Display Critical!
HDMI Resolution Match capture format Don’t let camera scale

Exposure

Setting Value Notes
Mode Manual or Aperture Priority Consistency > auto
ISO 400-1600 (start at 800) Match across cameras; adjust for lighting
Shutter Speed 1/120 for 60fps Double frame rate rule
Aperture f/4.0-f/5.6 Balance DOF with light; wider for low-light

White Balance

Setting Value Notes
Mode Manual (Kelvin) Never auto
Temperature 5600K (daylight) or 3200K (tungsten) Match your lighting
Tint 0 (or match to grey card) Fine-tune if needed

Color Profile

Setting Value Notes
Picture Profile Standard/Neutral Easier to match
Contrast 0 or -1 Slightly flat is easier to grade
Saturation 0 Neutral
Sharpness -1 or 0 Avoid over-sharpening

Per-Camera Configuration

Camera 1: Panasonic Lumix G7 (Reference Example)

Role: Wide shot / Establishing shot Position: Center, 12ft back, elevated 8ft on truss mount Lens: Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II (24-70mm equivalent)

Settings

Resolution: 1080p60
HDMI Output: Clean (no info display)
White Balance: 5600K (daylight LED panels)
ISO: 800
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/120

Photo Style: Natural
Contrast: -1
Saturation: 0
Sharpness: -1
Noise Reduction: -2

Focus: Manual (locked at hyperfocal distance)
Image Stabilization: Off (tripod mounted)
HDCP: Disabled (critical for DeckLink capture)

Power: DMW-AC10 AC adapter + DMW-DCC8 DC coupler
Memory Card: Removed (prevents record prompt)

Menu → Setup → TV Connection
├── HDMI Mode: AUTO (defaults to 1080p when HDMI connected)
├── VIERA Link: OFF
└── Info Display: OFF (critical for clean HDMI)

Menu → Rec → Photo Style → Natural
├── Contrast: -1
├── Sharpness: -1
├── Noise Reduction: -2
├── Saturation: 0
└── Hue: 0

Menu → Motion Picture → Rec Quality
├── AVCHD: FHD/60p
└── (HDMI output follows this setting)

Menu → Setup → Economy
└── Power Save: OFF

Notes

  • HDCP must be disabled for DeckLink capture to work; this camera has no HDCP on live HDMI output (confirmed compatible)
  • Firmware v2.5 tested and verified
  • AC adapter eliminates battery heat and runtime concerns
  • 12-35mm f/2.8 at f/4.0 provides sharp edge-to-edge performance
  • Use DMW-RSL1 remote shutter release to start recording without touching camera
  • Sensor crop factor 2x means 12mm = 24mm equivalent field of view

Camera 2: Sony A6400 (Example Mirrorless)

Role: Medium shot / Speaker close-up Position: Stage right, 8ft back, tripod at eye level Lens: Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G OSS (27-157mm equivalent)

Settings

Resolution: 1080p60
HDMI Output: Clean (HDMI Info Display: Off)
White Balance: 5600K (manual Kelvin)
ISO: 640
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/125

Picture Profile: PP Off (neutral for matching)
Creative Style: Standard
Contrast: 0
Saturation: 0
Sharpness: 0

Focus: Continuous AF (Face/Eye AF enabled for presenter tracking)
Image Stabilization: Off (tripod mounted; OSS disabled saves battery)

Power: AC-PW20 AC adapter
Memory Card: Removed

Menu → Setup → HDMI Settings
├── HDMI Resolution: 1080p
├── HDMI Output: 4:2:2 8-bit
├── HDMI Info Display: Off
├── TC Output: Off
└── REC Control: Off

Menu → Camera → Picture Profile
└── Off (or use PP1 set to neutral values)

Menu → Camera → AF → Face/Eye AF
├── Face/Eye AF Set: On
├── Face Dtct Frm Disp: Off (no overlay on HDMI)
└── Subject: Human

Menu → Setup → Power Setting
├── Auto Pwr OFF Temp: High
└── Auto Power Off: Off

Notes

  • Sony’s “High” temperature threshold allows longer runtime before overheating
  • Face/Eye AF works well for presenters who move; keep detection frame overlay off
  • PP Off provides most neutral image for multi-camera matching
  • USB power delivery does not work during HDMI output; must use AC adapter
  • Clean HDMI verified with DeckLink at 1080p60

Camera 3:

Role: Position: Lens:

Settings

Resolution: 1080p60
HDMI Output: Clean
White Balance: 5600K
ISO: 800
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/120

Picture Profile: Standard
Contrast: 0
Saturation: 0
Sharpness: 0

Focus: Manual / Continuous
Image Stabilization: Off

Power: AC adapter

Notes

-

Camera 4:

Role: Position: Lens:

Settings

Resolution: 1080p60
HDMI Output: Clean
White Balance: 5600K
ISO: 800
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter: 1/120

Picture Profile: Standard
Contrast: 0
Saturation: 0
Sharpness: 0

Focus: Manual / Continuous
Image Stabilization: Off

Power: AC adapter

Notes

-

Brand-Specific Settings

Sony Cameras

HDMI Output Settings:

Menu → Setup → HDMI Settings
├── HDMI Resolution: 1080p
├── HDMI Output: No Info Display
├── TC Output: Off
└── REC Control: Off

Picture Profile (Neutral):

Menu → Camera → Picture Profile
├── PP Off (or)
└── PP1 with:
    ├── Black Level: 0
    ├── Gamma: Still
    ├── Color Mode: Standard
    └── Saturation: 0

Canon Cameras

HDMI Output Settings:

Menu → Wrench/Setup → Video System
├── HDMI output: 1080p
Menu → Wrench/Setup → HDMI Output
├── Info Display: Off
└── Clean HDMI: On

Picture Style:

Menu → Camera → Picture Style
└── Standard or Neutral

Panasonic Cameras

HDMI Output Settings:

Menu → Setup → TV Connection
├── HDMI Mode: 1080p
├── Info Display: Off
└── Down Convert: Off

Photo Style:

Menu → Rec → Photo Style
└── Standard or Natural

Blackmagic Cameras

HDMI Output:

Menu → Setup → Monitor
├── Clean Feed: On
├── Status Text: Off
└── Frame Guides: Off

Pre-Show Camera Checklist

Run through this checklist for each camera before streaming:

  • Power: AC adapter connected (not battery)
  • Memory card: Removed or formatted (prevents recording prompt)
  • HDMI: Clean output confirmed (no overlays)
  • Resolution: Matches OBS/DeckLink setting
  • White balance: Manual, matches all cameras
  • Exposure: Manual or locked, levels matched
  • Focus: Set and locked (or AF configured)
  • Audio: Disabled or confirmed muted on camera
  • Auto power-off: Disabled
  • Recording: Not actively recording

Color Matching Procedure

Initial Setup (One Time)

  1. Set up all cameras pointing at same grey card
  2. Match white balance exactly (use Kelvin value)
  3. Set identical exposure (ISO, aperture, shutter)
  4. Set identical picture profile settings
  5. Take screenshot of each camera’s output in OBS
  6. Adjust picture profile if needed to match

Quick Match (Per Session)

  1. Verify white balance matches (same lighting)
  2. Check exposure levels (waveform/histogram)
  3. Quick A/B switch between cameras to verify

Post-Production (If Needed)

For recordings that need color correction:

  1. Apply same base correction to all cameras
  2. Fine-tune individual clips as needed
  3. Use scopes (waveform, vectorscope)

Troubleshooting

Cameras Look Different When Switching

  1. Check white balance (most common cause)
  2. Check exposure/brightness levels
  3. Compare picture profiles
  4. Verify same resolution/frame rate

HDMI Showing Overlays

  1. Find “HDMI Info Display” or “Clean HDMI” setting
  2. Disable all overlays, guides, histograms
  3. May need to disable record indicator

Camera Overheating

  1. Use AC power (reduces heat from charging)
  2. Remove memory card (reduces internal recording heat)
  3. Ensure ventilation around camera
  4. Consider camera cooling fan for long sessions

Auto Power-Off During Stream

  1. Find “Auto Power Off” setting, set to OFF
  2. Use AC adapter (some cameras won’t sleep on AC)
  3. Set LCD timeout but not camera power-off

See Also

Document maintained by Multi-Camera Livestream Framework team