Best Camera for Skype Lessons: Logitech Brio 4K Webcam 

Thank you for saying that!

I always use Skype. You can right click your window preview and change your camera during the lesson. If you have more than one usb camera, Skype will recognize them and allow you to switch between them.

Good questions. First, no one really uses the Brio for 4K. It’s got a very good 1080p image for a webcam, and Skype allows 1080p. It really looks quite good on Skype. With regards to FOV, I think it matters because it allows for more flexibility in camera placement. For example, I want the camera to be right above the monitor so it looks like I am making eye contact. With another camera, I would have to move my whole setup backwards another foot or so because of the limited field of view and trying to fit the entire keyboard and my face in the frame. This was significantly easier to do with the Brio, and the camera could be closer to me. Also, resolution and frame rate matter because they can help with content creation in addition to online lessons. Hope that helps.

You shouldn’t be experiencing latency or sync issues between audio and video with this webcam. How do you know that you are? You can test it in quick time or OBS.

I use an at875 shotgun mic currently.

I am glad you find my channel helpful! FaceTime is probably the best quality experience, but its completely limited to Apple devices with their onboard cameras. If you want to teach students that don't own Apple products or wish to upgrade your own cameras (and perhaps run more than one that you can switch to), you will need to be on Skype or Zoom.

I wanted to follow up with you and correct a mistake in my comment about FaceTime. Apparently, it is possible to use your external webcams with FaceTime but I have not tested this. Regardless, many of your students will use Windows computers, which means you still won't be able to use FaceTime. I still recommend picking between Skype or Zoom and sticking with your choice for all students.

@@FlexLessons Thanks so much! Recently I have taught a few lessons on FaceTime using your external camera recommendations ;-) Now I need to figure out how to set up Skype but it seems like most of my students are actually FaceTime users.

A question regarding ZOOM: So far as I did my first step with zoom, I find it more complicated to invite students, especially when the schedule changes spontaneously. Skype or facetime: you just call the person - that's it. How is your opinion or experience whith ZOOM?

I agree with you with regards to the ease of use of Skype and FaceTime. That is why I generally prefer Skype. Zoom is more capable technologically speaking, and I can see myself going in that direction in the future. I don’t have much experience running back to back lessons with Zoom yet (bc it’s so easy with Skype!).

Agreed!

I have upgraded my setup since this video. I now use a Sony a6100 camera for the side profile, and I moved the Brio up over the piano. I use an Elgato Key light mounted to my desk. I do currently use Zoom.

1920x1080 for this video. I don't have a 4k monitor so I haven't messed around with 4k at all.

Thanks!

Straight to usb. Recorded this with the Brio using QuickTime on the Mac.

I know! Phones, tablets, and laptops will all work for the time being.

@@FlexLessons I was able to find a Logitech C922X Pro Stream from Newegg.com. I just ordered it today. Will be like two weeks before delivery.

I am using a dedicated mic and audio interface for my RU-vid videos. The Brio mics aren't horrible, but they aren't very good either. Its pretty easy to make them clip. You can set your levels in the OS to avoid this, but I have seen Skype adjust this in the past (maybe they fixed this?). I think a student can get away with it, but a teacher should probably use a nicer mic. My MacBook mics are better than the ones on the Brio.

@@FlexLessons Fantastic, thank you very much

I put it in the video description.

I am using a separate mic.

@@FlexLessons could I ask which one you use or can recommend?

I use the AT875R shotgun mic with a Scarlet 2i2 interface, but you could get along fine with something like a Blue Yeti or equivalent.

I am not sure. If it’s not a full desktop OS, I would say no.

My Brio is on the side, and I don't shoot in 4k. I believe you can use OBS or something to actually get that resolution, but it won't be sent over Skype. My overhead webcam is a c920, which is just 1080p. Check out my video "How to setup an overhead webcam" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oeD21hZc0SA.html to learn about getting it properly oriented.

@@FlexLessons What do you think of Zoom Q2n or Zoom Q2n-4K to combine a good micro with a camera with is capable for streaming /as a webcam? My cello-teacher was enthusiastic of it, he is doing his first online steps like me (piano-techer) caused by Corona here in Germany, so we both have no good experience in hardware .... So I appreciate your videos and texts very much!! Recently I bought a Zoom H2next Handy recorder for other goals....so I have now the choice to add a camera (like you I tend to logitech) - or to buy two in one. (even if I have a different opinion about online teaching as you ;-) : Corona gives me the experience of all the lacks of digital culture; nothing can substitute the personal contact with a human being: Online I can't make music together, I can't touch the hand or bag of my student to give a hint for rhight attitude or make him sensitive for muscular tensions. ;-) ; then we have up to now in Germany many areas with bad internet connections :-( )

One further question to your setup: You have two cameras, a mic and headphones - - -> I think all of them must have a connection to your mac. How do you do it: cable length.... number of usb (port?) ? Your headphones are BT or do they go into the mac?

You need a good internet connection to have the sort of experience that makes you forget you are online...sorry about it not being great in Germany! Those cameras would probably be better than webcams if you could get them to be detected as a webcam. That being said, it’s very helpful to have the mic separate from the camera, as the ideal placement for the mic (as close to your voice as possible) is pretty far from the ideal placement for the camera.

I use an audio interface (scarlet 2i2) to connect the mic and the headphones (wired). I think the head phone cable is 8 feet or so. My MacBook has 4 usb c ports. One of the usb c ports is connected to a hub where I plug the camera and the interface in.