blog:vmix-zoom [v0ttis wiki]

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====== Live-Streaming Video Conferences with Zoom and vMix ======

Using Zoom (or in fact, any other video conferencing solution) together with vMix is not completely trivial. In this post I am going to explain how I do this with a single PC.

Of course one could use the built-in vMix Calls, which already handles a lot of things like N-1 audio routing, but there are quite some limitations.

===== How-To =====

==== Prerequisites ====

You need the following software installed and running on your vMix machine:

  * [[https://www.vmix.com/|vMix]] (4K or higher, some features are not supported in lower versions)
  * [[https://zoom.us/|Zoom]] (or any other video conferencing solution you prefer)
  * [[https://ndi.tv/tools/|NDI Virtual Input]] (part of the NewTek NDI Tools)
  * [[https://www.vb-audio.com/Cable/|VB-CABLE Virtual Audio Device]]

==== Configure Zoom Client ====

  - Start the Zoom Client and connect to the desired conference
  - For the camera, select "NewTek NDI Video"
  - For the microphone, select "Line (NewTek NDI Audio)"
  - For the speaker, select "CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)"

==== Configure vMix and NDI ====

  - Configure return audio bus 
    - Add a new audio bus in the vMix settings (you can use "Enabled" as the audio device) 
    - Add everything that is assigned to the master bus to the new audio bus
  - Configure return video feed 
    - Activate NDI for an additional output (not Output 1 as we will use a different audio bus) in the vMix settings 
    - Using the cog icon, assign the newly created audio bus to this output
  - Configure the NDI Virtual Input
    - In the Windows taskbar tray, right click on the NDI Virtual Input icon 
    - Select the previously configured vMix output
  - Configure screen capturing
    - Add a new "NDI / Desktop Capture" input
    - Select "Local Desktop Capture", then select the Zoom client ("Zoom 2" in my case)
    - As Window Capture Method, select "WindowsGraphicsCapture"
    - Resize the Zoom window so it best fits your production aspect ratio
    - Using the vMix input settings, you can now zoom into the window so it does not show any GUI elements anymore
  - Configure the audio input
    - Add a new "Audio Input" input
    - Select "CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)"
    - Assign the input to the master audio bus, but not the return feed audio bus

==== Screenshots ====
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{{:blog::zoom2.jpg?direct&100|}}
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{{:blog:vmix_video_out.jpg?direct&200|}}
{{:blog:vmix_audio_out.jpg?direct&100|}}
{{:blog:ndi_virtual_input.jpg?direct&100|}}
{{:blog:vmix_video_in.jpg?direct&200|}}
{{:blog:vmix_audio_in.jpg?direct&200|}}
{{:blog:audio_assign.jpg?direct&250|}}

==== Optional Steps and Remarks ====

If you want to talk to your guests before you put them on air, remove their audio from the master bus and put them on your headphones using the "S" button. Create a new microphone input with your own microphone and assign it only to the return feed audio bus. Keep in mind to assign the guests back to the master bus and remove your microphone from the return bus before putting them on air.

It is recommended to keep the Zoom client on a dedicated screen.