Use RheoCast as a webcam
Send Program, picture and sound, into Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams as a camera and a microphone, through the free NDI Tools.
You will end with RheoCast's Program appearing in Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams as a camera and a microphone, so the online congregation sees the service with its lower thirds and scripture, not a laptop webcam. About 15 minutes the first time, a minute after that. External Output is free on every plan.
What you need
- RheoCast and the meeting app on the same computer, or on two computers on one wired network
- The free NDI Tools, version 6 or later, from ndi.video. Older NDI Tools on macOS used a camera plug-in that recent macOS versions no longer load; version 6 ships a camera extension. If no NDI camera appears, update NDI Tools
- On macOS, a one-time approval of NDI Virtual Input's camera extension
- The Present tab's NDI Source switched off (Settings, Output): RheoCast sends one NDI feed at a time
Install NDI Tools and open NDI Virtual Input
Install NDI Tools, then open NDI Virtual Input from Applications (macOS) or the Start menu (Windows). On macOS the first launch asks you to approve its camera extension: System Settings, General, Login Items & Extensions, Camera Extensions. It has no window to speak of; it lives in the menu bar or the system tray, and it has to stay open for the whole meeting.
Switch External Output on in RheoCast
In the Broadcast tab's Controls column, switch External Output on. Leave the source on Program and the name as RheoCast Program. The line under it should say it is live on the network, picture and sound. It is off after every launch of RheoCast, on purpose, like every live feed into someone else's software, so this is the step to remember on the day.
If it refuses and names the Present tab's NDI Source, switch that off in Settings, Output, and try again.
Point NDI Virtual Input at RheoCast Program
Click the NDI Virtual Input icon and choose your computer's name with RheoCast Program after it. Its choice is not always remembered, so check it after each launch.
Pick the camera and microphone in the meeting app
In the meeting app's video settings choose NDI Virtual Camera (some versions call it NDI Video), and in its audio settings choose NDI Audio as the microphone. Restart the meeting app once if the NDI devices are not listed yet; after that it updates on its own.
Check it, and know what mirroring looks like
The meeting app's preview should show Program. If it shows text backwards, nothing is wrong: meeting apps mirror your own preview so it behaves like a mirror, and only your view. Everyone else, and a recording, sees it the right way round. Untick "Mirror my video" in the meeting app if it bothers you.
Say something into the microphone RheoCast is using, or play a video in a scene: the meeting app's microphone meter should move.
Every time after this
- Open RheoCast and switch External Output on.
- Check NDI Virtual Input is open and pointed at RheoCast Program.
- Join the meeting. The camera and microphone stay chosen.
If it does not work
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No NDI camera in the list | NDI Virtual Input not running, or its camera extension not approved; older NDI Tools used a plug-in recent macOS versions no longer load | Open it, approve the extension, restart the meeting app once |
| Camera listed but black | Nothing is being sent | Switch External Output on; choose RheoCast Program in NDI Virtual Input |
| Text reads backwards | The meeting app mirrors your self-view | Nothing is wrong; untick "Mirror my video" if you prefer |
| Picture but no sound | The meeting app's microphone is not NDI Audio, or the feed is the Present tab's picture-only one | Choose NDI Audio; use Broadcast's External Output |
| External Output refuses to start | The Present tab's NDI Source is on | Switch it off in Settings, Output |
The reference for the feed itself is Broadcast, External Output.