Panasonic has released LUMIX Streaming (Beta) for Mac to allow live streaming using LUMIX Tether (Ver.1.7). Supported cameras are: S1H, S1R, S1, GH5S, GH5, and G9. As the software is still in Beta, there is no support, so use at your own risk. Note that macOS 10.15 Catalina is not yet supported, with some bugs still needed to be fixed.
Panasonic has also announced the development of the LUMIX Webcam Software for Win/Mac for the end of September (Win) and October (Mac) which will not require the LUMIX Tether (Ver.1.7), but will allow a compatible LUMIX camera (S1H, S1R, S1, GH5S, GH5, and G9, with the G100 release date yet to be determined) to be used as a webcam over a USB connection for both live streaming and video conferencing.
Most of the software that has been released lately has been to allow you to use your camera for live streaming. Without requiring elaborate and expensive equipment, you basically just connect your camera to your computer via USB cable, run the Webcam software on your computer and whatever your camera records is streamed live to the Internet, reaching as many people who can connect to your site. Potentially, you can reach dozens, hundreds, thoudsands, or even millions of viewers. However, you cannot communicate with them back and forth via voice. Usually, you would communicate via text. So, that’s why you would see a person who is live streaming look to the side from time to time to read the text his or her viewers are sending, asking questions or making a comment.
Video Confenrencing
Video conferencing allows two-way live streaming, i.e. not only can your audience see and hear you, but you can also see and hear them (as well as communicate silently via text). This means that everyone who participates in the video conference requires access to the software. This allows team collaboration. Ideally you are video conferencing with a smalll team, because the monetary and performance costs grow as you add participants, and it can quickly become unmangeable. It takes lots of bandwidth, a performing computer and unlimited high-speed Internet access.
Lately, during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place, schools have experimented with video conferencing for distance-learning, with mixed results. Some kids (and teachers) loved it and even thrived, but others missed the personal interaction and shunned it. But, now that the genie is out of the bottle, school video conferencing seems to be one more tool teachers have to master, and it may well be the way forward for the foreseeable future. Like it or not, teachers, students, parents and the software companies involved have to all find a way to make distance-learning video conferencing better, easier and the applications MUCH more intuitive.
If you use the Tripod grip DMW-SHGR1 and/or the LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. /MEGA O.I.S.(H-FS12032) lens, then you would want to apply the appropriate firmware update for your LUMIX camera.
Panasonic Announces the Release of Firmware Update Programs for LUMIX G Series Cameras, “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” for Mac and the Development of “LUMIX Webcam Software” for Windows/Mac
July 14, 2020
Newark, NJ – Panasonic is pleased to announce the release of firmware update programs for the LUMIX G Series of Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Cameras and software programs “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” for Mac and the development of “LUMIX Webcam Software” for Win/Mac.
The firmware update programs are for DC-GH5,GH5S, G9, G95, G85 and GX9 to improve compatibility with the new Tripod Grip DMW-SHGR1 and operational stability with LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. /MEGA O.I.S.(H-FS12032) lens. Meanwhile, “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” and “LUMIX Webcam Software” enhance work-at-home activities using LUMIX cameras.
- Firmware update programs for DC-GH5, GH5S, G9, G95, G85 and GX9
| Model
Firmware Version |
･Tripod grip DMW-SHGR1 can be used.
|
･Improved operational stability with the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. /MEGA O.I.S.(H-FS12032) |
| DC-GH5
Firmware Version 2.7 |
Yes | Yes |
| DC-GH5S
Firmware Version 1.6 |
Yes | – |
| DC-G9
Firmware Version 2.2 |
Yes | Yes |
| DC- G95
Firmware Version 1.2 |
Yes | Yes |
| DC- G85
Firmware Version 1.5 |
Yes | Yes |
| DC-GX9
Firmware Version 1.5 |
– | Yes |
The firmware program will be available at LUMIX Global Customer Support website https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/ on July 21, 2020.
- LUMIX Streaming (Beta) for Mac
Followed by the release of “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” for Windows, the “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” for Mac has also been released. It is derived from conventional “LUMIX Tether (Ver.1.7)” with an additional display option for the cases where this software is used for live streaming purposes. It may help user convenience in the growing self-streaming opportunities.
As “LUMIX Tether” is a software program originally designed for tethered shooting, GUIs such as a focus area mark as well as control panels are displayed with live view images on the PC monitor during USB tethering. However, these graphic items become a hindrance when the software is used to capture camera view for live streaming. In response to the demands of customers to resolve this issue, LIVE VIEW mode has been added on “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)”. It enables displaying camera view only, making it easy for the separate streaming software to read it. Users can choose to show or hide these graphic items during USB tethering according to the usage purpose.
“LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” is provided as a pre-release version that is currently still under development. Please note that this software is not eligible for operation warranty and customer support.
Compatible models: DC-S1H, DC-S1R, DC-S1, DC-GH5S, DC-GH5, DC-G9
LUMIX Tether for Streaming (Beta) for Mac Operating Environment
| OS | Mac OS X 10.11,
Mac macOS 10.12, macOS 10.13, macOS 10.14 *Operation with macOS 10.15 Catalina is under verification but some issues are reported. https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/info/macos_tether.html (When to officially support macOS 10.15 Catalina is yet to be fixed.) |
| CPU | Intel CPU of 1 GHz or higher |
| Display | 1024 x 768 pixels or more |
| RAM | 1GB or more (32bit),2GB or more (64bit) |
| HDD | Free space of 200 MB or more for installation |
| Interface | USB 3.0/3.1 |
LUMIX Tether for Streaming (Beta) web page with download link
https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/lumix/lumixtether.html
- LUMIX Webcam Software
While the “LUMIX Streaming (Beta)” is basically a software for tethered shooting that can also be used to capture camera views for live streaming, the upcoming “LUMIX Webcam Software” makes it possible to use an applicable LUMIX camera as a webcam over a USB connection not only for live streaming, but also for video conferencing, etc.
Compatible models: DC-S1H, DC-S1R, DC-S1, DC-GH5S, DC-GH5, DC-G9, DC-G100 *
Release Date*: End of September (for Windows) / End of October (for Mac), 2020
*The release date of LUMIX Webcam Software for DC-G100 is yet to be decided.
Panasonic is committed to continuous improvement with its LUMIX product line, including the Full-Frame S Series and the Micro Four Thirds G Series, by providing customers with valuable products and services, a part of which are these firmware and software update programs.
･Specifications are subject to change without notice.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Blu-ray players, Home Audio, Technics, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Beauty, Grooming, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2018, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to consumers, businesses and government agencies across the region.