topic Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First in EOS Webcam Utility Pro - Discussions

EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 16:37:10 GMT

I did not see any instructions for the EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 that specifically said to start the camera before the software. In fact the software reminds the users to make sure the camera is turned on, but that's already too late because the software is already running.
Trial and error allowed me to deduce that the camera must be connected and turned on before the software is turned on. The software is unable to connect to the camera when the camera is turned on after the utility is running.
This is one of several issues that I encountered when attempting to make maximum use of this utility. The documentation appears to me to have never been tested by users who would have surely provided feedback on this issue before I encountered it.

For the record, the operating system is Windows 11. Is it possible that the operating system has some influence over the functionality of the EOS Webcam Utility 2.0?

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Far-Out-Dude — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:01:55 GMT

This is like saying you did not know you had to turn the car on before you put it in drive.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Stephen — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:02:30 GMT

Hello HansenJC!

The software's most current version, the Getting Started Guide, and all other relevant instructions can be found on the EOS Webcam Utility site HERE.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Waddizzle — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:05:59 GMT

Many people have experienced issues getting started. Most are not following any set of directions or online instructions. Do you have link to the online instructions that you used?

Canon EOS Webcam for Windows - Use Your DSLR as a Webcam

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:14:45 GMT

Hello Stephen,

I read through that site rather thoroughly and it sure did not seem to me to clearly state that the order of operation requires that the camera be turned on before the software. If you can find it on that site please identify where it is.
I apologize for being cranky, but there was way too much marketing crap before the real substance.
Too many pictures and not enough instructions.
I simply never saw it in spite of me spending easily an hour scouring that site.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Stephen — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:30:07 GMT

The getting started guide (under the giant "BEFORE YOU BEGIN" section) lays it out step-by-step. HERE is a link for it, and here is the text from the section that matters:

HOW TO SETUP:
1. Once restarted, using your USB cable, connect one end of the USB cable to your camera, and
then connect the other end to your computer. A direct connection to the computer is
recommended.
2. Set your camera to [Movie Mode]. Use your camera’s Mode Dial, Mode Switch or Mode Button interface.
3. Lastly, open your web conferencing/streaming app of choice. Find the [Audio/video settings] menu and set “EOS Webcam Utility Pro” as the camera of choice. Confirm that your computer’s built-in microphone is selected as your “microphone”

I hope this is helpful!

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:33:33 GMT

Hello Waddizzle,

The video which you linked to was created in 2020 before version 2.0. And while I did watch it, I had connected my camera to my computer long before I had updated to version 2.0. And while the video had all the steps in the proper order, it said nothing about the requirement that the software must NOT be turned on until after the camera is turned on.
Fast forward to yesterday when I updated and paid for the subscription for the version 2.0 utility software. The camera was already connected to the computer, it just wasn't turned on. But the instructions for the utility software never stipulated that the camera must be operating prior to starting the utility software. This order of operation is key to getting the software to work and I feel it should have been mentioned.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Stephen — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:35:41 GMT

I want to clarify - that wasn't meant to sound snarky! I was being descriptive/matter-of-fact! 🙈

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 18:25:34 GMT

Actually, this situation is nothing like an automobile with an internal combustion engine. This is like turning on the computer before you turn on the monitor. There is no requirement that the monitor be turned on before the computer is powered up. The order of operation does not control the outcome.

There are many other computer-related devices that do not require a particular order or sequence of being powered on for them to operate properly. A router does not have to be on for the computer to operate properly. Printers and scanners may be turned on after the computer is already running. Microphones and audio mixers do not need to be turned on before the Canon EOS Utility software is turned on. So the vast majority of these devices have set a reasonable expectation of what is most likely to be intuitive to most users.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Waddizzle — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:56:54 GMT

It will works the same way, just as you have noted. And, there is no app in the computer to “turn on”, not unless you are referring to a user app like OBS.

I must admit that I do not understand you complaint regarding turning on the software. The webcam software is a device driver. The Operating System turns it on when it detects a camera has been connected to the USB port.

When you start your user app, like OBS, these apps will look for cameras when it starts up. Most of them do not check for cameras again after the initial startup. Why would they?

In some of the newer MILC bodies, you do not even need to install the Webcam Utility because the cameras have a “webcam mode” for using the USB port.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Waddizzle — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 18:00:43 GMT

It sounds like your issue is with the third party apps, not the Canon Webcam Utility. What instructions does your third party app say regarding a USB webcam? When does it tell you to turn on the webcam?

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 18:04:36 GMT

Hello Waddizzle and Stephen. This would be a good time to recognize the fact that there are no instructions for version 2.0. And given the fact that I am now paying for a subscription, where can I learned the requirements for using multiple cameras? It makes me wonder that if I chose to have multiple cameras, would I be required to have all cameras operational before the software is started, or whether the software would be forgiving enough to allow each camera to be added separately in sequence after the software is running.
If you can identify specific instructions for the latest version 2.0 I'm eager to read it.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Waddizzle — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 18:08:30 GMT

@HansenJC wrote:
Hello Waddizzle and Stephen. This would be a good time to recognize the fact that there are no instructions for version 2.0. And given the fact that I am now paying for a subscription, where can I learned the requirements for using multiple cameras? It makes me wonder that if I chose to have multiple cameras, would I be required to have all cameras operational before the software is started, or whether the software would be forgiving enough to allow each camera to be added separately in sequence after the software is running.
If you can identify specific instructions for the latest version 2.0 I'm eager to read it.

If by “starting the software” you are referring to starting a third party app, then I suggest that you refer to the documentation for the third party app that you seem to be referring to.

Good luck.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Stephen — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 18:30:12 GMT

The 18-page PDF I linked to above is for the EOS Webcam Utility Pro (which is the CURRENT version of the streaming utility). It goes into great detail as to how to use multiple cameras.

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with phone support at 1-800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666) Monday through Friday from 9am to 9pm (ET) and Saturday from 8am to 7pm (ET).

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 19:56:05 GMT

Hello Stephen,
the link that you shared takes me to a website not to a document I'm not sure what the issue is, unless it is simply an issue of too much clutter surrounding a link to a document. But in 18 page PDF cannot be found on that link. I've tried. Really I've tried. Tomorrow I will call the 800 number. But an 18 page PDF doesn't exist in my viewer. I've click that link multiple times. All I see is advertising. Am I using the wrong web browser? Sites like this are often times cluttered with marketing links and are quite deliberate at obfuscating the real meat and potatoes.
I don't go willy-nilly clicking on things that say download now when the entire Internet spends all its efforts on getting everyone to click on things they don't want to see. Okay I'll bite. I'll click on the link that says download now and see if I get lucky or get scammed. I am no longer as trusting as most people are these days. And what do I get? The download gets me the same installation package for the software, but inside that zip file I do not see any 18 page PDF users manual.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

Stephen — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 20:12:07 GMT

Here is the direct link: https://www.usa.canon.com/content/dam/canon-assets/product-assets/Cameras/camera-misc-pages/ewu/pdf/How%20to%20Subscribe.pdf

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 21:14:01 GMT

What I found when I downloaded the file called "Getting Started" is that the name of the file is called "how to subscribe". So naturally, I thought it was downloading the wrong file rather than the actual User Guide. I had already subscribed. So the issue was that the file name for the 18 page PDF file didn't appear to me to be the file I was looking for so I did not open it.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:48:06 GMT

Here is the exact text from the user guide:

At no time does it say to turn on the camera BEFORE starting the EOS Webcam Utility 2.0. In fact, it never says that the camera must be turned on.

HOW TO INSTALL:
1. Once the download is complete, locate the “EOSWebcamUtilityPro-WIN2.X.zip” in your computer’s “Down-
loads” folder.
2. Double-click the .zip file.
3. After opening and extracting the .zip file, open the folder labeled “EOSWebcamUtilityPro-WIN2.X”.
4. Read the Readme . txt file then double-click the “Setup . exe” file and run the installer.
5. Follow the installer instruction and install the software.
6. Once complete the installation, it is important to save any documents that you may be working on, close all
applications that you have running and then restart your computer.

HOW TO SETUP:
1. Once restarted, using your USB cable, connect one end of the USB cable to your camera, and
then connect the other end to your computer. A direct connection to the computer is
recommended.

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Set your camera to [Movie Mode]. Use your camera’s Mode Dial, Mode Switch or Mode Button interface.
3. Lastly, open your web conferencing/streaming app of choice. Find the [Audio/video settings] menu and set “EOS Webcam Utility Pro” as the camera of choice. Confirm that your computer’s built-in microphone is selected as your “microphone”
Optimal settings are a resolution of [Full-HD] and a frame rate of [29.97P] (30P). If your camera doesn’t have a [29.97P] (30P) setting, selecting [23.98P] (24P) will also work
Audio is not transmitted from the camera.

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

HansenJC — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 23:10:06 GMT

Device Driver?

OK, so I have been referring to the Canon EOS WebCam Utility 2.0 as software.
So now, let's talk about device drivers. Everyone's computer is full of device drivers and I have never experienced a need to activate or initiate a device driver that has been installed over the years. And yet now it seems that Canon has created a WebCam Utility that is actually a device driver and not a piece of software. I can deal with the difference in the name, but what I can't comprehend is the fact that nowhere in the documentation did it ever say that the camera must be on, and connected, and set to the right mode, prior to the user initiating the device driver.
(So sorry that all of my prior references were to a piece of software that I didn't know was a device driver. I have always been talking about the Canon EOS WebCam utility 2.0 I have ONLY been talking about the Canon EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 when I used the word "software".)

Re: EOS Webcam Utility 2.0 Instructions Fail To Inform Users to Start Camera First

shadowsports — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:16:13 GMT

Hello HansenJC.

I have several PC's running windows 11. I've not had the same experience as you. Although I typically use a card reader, I have left both of my cameras powered off but connected directly to a USB port on my laptops, desktops, etc. They detect and connect when powered on. They are also recognized by 3rd party apps when powered. If by chance you are using a hub, adapter or are connecting through another peripheral, I would suggest connecting the camera directly to an available USB port. Let's move forward. Steps 18, 19 and 20 are clear. Connect the camera. Put the camera into Movie Mode, Start your preferred 3rd party application. You now have the instructions for connecting and a tested method for using the webcam utility.