Why does my video stop and start?

This can happen for several reasons including:

  • A lot of people moving around on cam
  • Flashing lights
  • Picking up your cam and moving the view to show something in the room to your viewers
  • Poor Wi-Fi or ethernet connection
  • Poor cell phone connection (if using the C4 Broadcaster app or similar)
  • Excessive background animations
  • Incorrect OBS Studio configuration
  • Older, outdated, or poor hardware (computer, camera, or web cam)

Why does it happen?

To make the video flow smoothly, only those pixels that change are transmitted with each frame. There is no reason to keep transmitting static pixels (those displaying the wall behind you for example), this keeps the amount of data being resent with each frame to a minimum and the video is smooth. For example, if you have multiple people moving around or a lot of flashing lights, then there are more changes, meaning more pixels need to be transmitted with each frame.

If you have an 8 Megapixel camera (8 million pixels) that runs at 30 frames per second, that works out to 240 million pixels per second that need to be transmitted to keep up with the movement. The result of this is a jerky video.

Two things to remember!

  1. When you are looking at your own video, this is displayed locally on your computer. So, it will run more smoothly for you than for those watching your broadcast elsewhere
  2. If you move your cam to give your viewers a “quick look” at something, they are unlikely to see what you are trying to show as your cam will start dropping frames as it struggles to keep up with the changes.

Choosing the Best Webcam

A good cam does not have to be expensive unless you opt for high-end quality. Below are some links with the current top cameras at various price points. You can decide which one is best for you.

*Cam4 is not affiliated with any of the merchants below. Links are provided as examples only.

Logitech C925E

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1370830-REG/logitech_960_001075_c925e_webcam.html

Logitech C922 Pro

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1374480-REG/logitech_960_001087_c922_pro_stream_webcam.html

Logitech C930E

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1604031-REG/logitech_960_000971_c930e_business_webcam.html

Logitech StreamCam

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1547008-REG/logitech_960_001280_stream_camera_plus_graphite.html

Logitech BCC950 (with remote)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/877890-REG/Logitech_960_000866_BCC950_ConferenceCam_Video_Conferencing.html

HuddleCamHD 3X Digital Zoom USB 3 HDMI

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1495842-REG/huddlecamhd_hc_eptz_usb_3x_digital_zoom_usb.html/DFF/d10-v21-t1-x979218/SID/EZ

Panasonic Lumic DMC-G7 Mirrorless Camera

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1208931-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_g7_mirrorless_micro.html

Canon EOS-M50 Mirrorless Camera

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1393461-REG/canon_2680c011_eos_m50_mirrorless_digital.html

How To Buy The Best Webcam

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/how-to-buy-the-best-webcam

How do I switch cams?

If you are not using OBS or a similar external encoder program and are using the Regular Streaming broadcast source option, you have the option to choose a different camera or webcam.

Choose the desired camera or webcam within the drop-down list of the Video Input area on the Cam4 broadcast window.  This is located at the top right under Audio/Video Settings

If the selected webcam or camera has not been used to broadcast with previously, your web browser may prompt you to allow use of the camera. Choose to Allow the camera and then continue to start your broadcast.

How Can I Get My Cam On The Trending Page?

There are many different factors that will automatically place you on the Trending Page.  Some of them are (but not limited to) your webcam stream quality and resolution. Also, your time spent performing online.

How can I get better stream quality and resolution?

  • Use an ethernet internet connection rather than Wi-Fi.
  • Stream with a quality webcam, Mirrorless or DSLR camera that offers a minimum resolution of 720p (1080p preferred)

What length of time is generally standard for live broadcasts?

  • When possible, spend a minimum time of 3 hours online for each webcam broadcast (scheduled consistently throughout each week)

Billing Support

Contact the payment processor you used when purchasing your Gold membership by visiting their support link. Your transaction ID can be found on your bank/credit card statement. You can also contact the payment processor via email or phone.

For your discretion, your charges will appear as GRANITY ENTERTAINMENT on your statement.

Epoch – Credit Card Support

If you wish to cancel your Gold membership purchased through Epoch please visit https://epoch.com/find_purchase?ref=bl

SegPay

If you wish to cancel your Gold membership purchased through SegPay please visit https://cs.segpay.com/

DialXS (Payments made via iDEAL, Bankcontact, GiroPay, Sofort/Klarna & Dankort & Credit card payments to CuroPayments)

If you wish to cancel your Gold membership purchased through DialXS please visit www.dialxs.com/cam4cancel-subscription/

Commdoo

How can I remove my credit card information?

If you wish to remove the credit card information stored, you need to do the following:

  • Log into your CAM4 account if not logged in already
  • Click on your circular profile avatar located at the top right of the page
  • Select My Account within the drop-down menu
  • Select the upper middle tab labeled Account Settings
  • Click the Payments & Subscriptions button
  • Turn the switch next to Enable 1-Click Checkouts for Easier Purchases to the off position

This will require you to enter your payment information each time you make a purchase.

You can re-enable the 1-Click Checkout option by following the above steps and toggling the switch next to Enable 1-Click Checkouts for Easier Purchases to the on position