Sony SupportILCE-7RM3

Article ID : 00249459 / Last Modified : 14/08/2024Print

How to use a Sony camera as a webcam using the Imaging Edge Webcam software

    The Imaging Edge Webcam software is an application that makes it possible to use a Sony camera as a high-quality webcam.

    • Benefits of using the Imaging Edge Webcam software: A Sony camera can be used as a high-definition webcam for livestreaming while taking advantage of its unique and diverse features.
      Note: The Imaging Edge Webcam software does not handle audio from the camera’s built-in microphone or an external microphone. Use your personal computer’s built-in microphone or an external microphone.
    • Supported operating systems: 
      • Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 computer with an Intel or AMD processor (The software will not run on computers based on ARM processors)
      • macOS 12 (12.3 or later), macOS 13, macOS 14
      For other operating systems
    • Supported cameras: Please refer to this confirmed list of supported models: https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/app/webcam/l/download/

    How to install the Imaging Edge Webcam software?

    You can view this video tutorial or skip to the steps below.


    Tip: Learn how to turn captions on or off when watching Internet videos from YouTube

    Please follow these steps:

    1. Install the Imaging Edge Webcam software on your computer.
      Notes:
    2. Turn the camera on.
    3. Perform the following sample settings on the camera screen:
      Note: The displayed terms may differ depending on the camera.
    4. Connect the camera and computer using the supplied USB cable.
      Note: If a USB cable is not supplied with your camera, use a commercially available USB cable.
      Image of computer and camera connected with USB cable
      Note: It is not possible to connect to the camera when the Imaging Edge Desktop (Remote) software is active. Quit the Imaging Edge Desktop (Remote) software first and then connect to the camera.

      • When using the ILCE-7M2, ILCE-7S, ILCE-7SM2, ILCE-7RM2, ILCE-5100, ILCE-6300, ILCA-68, ILCA-77M2, DSC-RX1RM2, DSC-RX10M2, DSC-RX10M3, DSC-RX100M4, or DSC-RX100M5
        Before proceeding to step 6 below, first set the camera to  (Auto Mode). After launching the livestreaming/web conferencing service and starting the video, change to movie mode.

      • When using a camera other than those listed above
        • Set the camera to movie mode.
        • If you use the camera with the Cinematic Vlog setting or the XAVC S-I DCI 4K setting, you cannot use Imaging Edge Webcam in these modes. Use a setting other than Cinematic Vlog or XAVC S-I DCI 4K.
    5. Launch the live distribution/web conferencing service on your personal computer.
      Note: You may have to install additional software or register an account beforehand.
    6. Change the appropriate setting in the live distribution/web conferencing service to switch the camera to be used from the computer’s built-in camera to the Sony camera.
      Note: The setting procedure will differ depending on the service you are using. For detailed setting instructions, refer to the user’s manual or help page of the service.

    Notes:

    • The aspect ratio is automatically set to 16:9.
    • We recommend that you disable the sleep mode of your PC when using the Imaging Edge Webcam.
    • When using the Imaging Edge Webcam software, do not unplug the USB cable of any USB device such as a camera or headset, and avoid operations such as releasing the shutter or changing camera settings such as drive mode.
      When using the Windows version
      If the live view screen is interrupted by such operations, you may be able to recover by performing the following operations.
      1. Turn off the video of the web conferencing system.
      2. From the Windows Start menu, select Imaging Edge Webcam → USB Reset.
        Image with [USB Reset] under [Imaging Edge Webcam] in the Windows Start menu
      3. Turn off the camera, and then turn it on again.
      4. Restart the video of the web conferencing system.
      If you are unable to recover by performing the operations above, turn off the camera and restart the PC.
    • Imaging Edge Webcam does not handle audio from the camera’s built-in microphone or an external microphone. Use your personal computer’s built-in microphone or an external microphone.
    • If your camera has USB Power Supply as an option, we recommend that you set it to On. If you will be using Imaging Edge Webcam for an extended period of time, we recommend that you make sure the camera is fully charged beforehand.
    • The resolution is 1,024 × 576 pixels.
    • If you are using an operating system other than Windows 10 (64-bit)/ Windows 11/macOS 12.3 or later/macOS 13/macOS 14, or if you would like to improve the resolution/framerate, refer to the following article for an explanation of how to livestream without using the Imaging Edge Webcam software: https://alphauniverse.com/stories/how-to-use-your-sony-alpha-and-rx-cameras-for-livestreaming/.

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Q. Movement is not smooth in the video.
    A. For smooth movement, try  (Auto Mode) instead of movie mode.
    Q. During use, the video is suddenly cut off. The camera is hot to the touch.
    A. The camera turns off automatically when the temperature of the camera body rises beyond a certain point. If you will be using the camera for an extended period of time, use  (Auto Mode). On a camera with an Auto Power OFF Temp. setting, selecting the High setting will extend the length of time you can use the camera continuously.
    Q. I cannot start the video of the web conferencing system.
    A. Another web conferencing system that you are not currently using may be causing the problem. Make sure the camera setting of the other web conferencing system is set to something other than Sony Camera (Imaging Edge).
    Q. Sony Camera (Imaging Edge) does not appear in the camera settings of the web conferencing system. Alternatively, the live view screen is not displayed even after I switch the camera setting.
    A. The web conferencing system may not be compatible. If the web conferencing system is available in both an app version and a browser version, try both versions.
    Q. [Windows version] The Imaging Edge Webcam logo remains visible and the live view screen is not displayed.
    A. When using the Imaging Edge Webcam software, do not unplug the USB cable of any USB device such as a camera or headset, and avoid operations such as releasing the shutter or changing camera settings such as drive mode.
    If the live view screen is interrupted by such operations, you may be able to recover by performing the following operations.
    1. Turn off the video of the web conferencing system.
    2. From the Windows Start menu, select Imaging Edge Webcam → USB Reset.

      Image with [USB Reset] under [Imaging Edge Webcam] in the Windows Start menu

    3. Turn off the camera, and then turn it on again.
    4. Restart the video of the web conferencing system.

    If you are unable to recover by performing the operations above, turn off the camera and restart the computer.

    Q.  [Mac version] Installation has completed, but Sony Camera (Imaging Edge) was not added to the camera setting options for the livestreaming/web conferencing service.
    A. The Imaging Edge Webcam extension may be blocked. In Privacy & Security under macOS System Settings (macOS 13 or later) or Security & Privacy under System Preferences (macOS 12), click Allow.


    Q.  [Mac version] The Imaging Edge Webcam logo remains visible and the live view screen is not displayed.
    A. When using Imaging Edge Webcam software, do not unplug the USB cable of any USB device such as a camera or headset. Also avoid operations such as releasing the shutter or changing camera settings such as drive mode. If the live view screen is interrupted by such operations, turn off the camera and then restart your Mac.
    Screen showing Imaging Edge Webcam logo
    Q.  [Mac version] Even though the camera is connected properly, the Imaging Edge Webcam logo remains visible and the live view screen is not displayed.
    A. Sometimes the image from the camera may not be displayed if the livestreaming/web conferencing service is launched while an online storage application or an application that operates the camera remotely is running. If this happens, temporarily quit the other running application, wait for about one minute, and then relaunch the livestreaming/web conferencing system.
    Screen showing Imaging Edge Webcam logo