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How to Use The Nikon D7200 As An HDMI Webcam

There are two methods of using the Nikon D7200 as a webcam for live streaming…

This post shows you the method which achieves the best quality using your Nikon D7200.

It requires the use of a ‘Clean HDMI’ output and a capture card…

Don’t worry, we’ll tell you how to do it easily.

To summarise, the set-up we recommend is as follows:

  1. Connect your Nikon D7200 camera to a capture card using a ‘Mini HDMI to HDMI‘ cable.
  1. Plug the capture card into your computer into a USB 3.0 port.
  1. Use a suitable webcam software and use the feed from the capture card for high-quality video for video calls or live streaming.
  1. Enable HDMI for best results.

This post will guide you through the above steps in further detail and provide you with helpful tips to make sure you get the most out of this setup.

Can I use Nikon Webcam Utility for the Nikon D7200?

You may see online that you can use the Nikon Webcam Utility to use the Nikon D7200 camera as a webcam.

While this is an alternate method of using the D7200 as a webcam, you will not achieve the same level of quality as you would when using a capture card.

If you really want to use Nikon Webcam Utility then we have included a link in our further resources section at the end of this post.

What Accessories Do I Need to Use My Nikon D7200 as an HDMI Webcam?

To use your Nikon D7200 as a webcam using HDMI output you will need a few accessories.

Essential Accessories

1. Mini HDMI (Type C) to HDMI (Type A) cable

You will need this to connect your Nikon D7200 to your capture card.

The small side is the Mini HDMI (HDMI Type C) and the larger side is the standard HDMI (HDMI Type A).

2. Capture Card (we recommend the Elgato Cam Link 4K)

This is essential.

The best way to use the Nikon D7200 as a webcam is to use an HDMI output and a capture card.

The capture card will be outputting the footage straight from your camera to your webcam or live stream via an HDMI output.

We recommend the Elgato Cam Link 4K as Elgato is a highly reputable company with a product that is easy to use.

In addition, the Nikon D7200 meets the requirements to be compatible with a Camlink. The video below goes through these requirements.

The Elgato Cam Link 4K is also the most recommended product because it uses a UVC driver. 

This basically means it is universally compatible with any conferencing software that is able to use webcams e.g. Zoom, Skype, or OBS Studio.

The CamLink 4K is able to output 4K resolution video which is perfect since the Nikon D7200 has a max resolution of 1080p.

You can check the current price and availability for the Elgato Cam Link 4K on Amazon at the link below.

3. Webcam software e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, OBS Studio

You have quite a bit of freedom here.

You will need a webcam/streaming software that you want to use.

Luckily, the Elgato Cam Link 4K should work with most popular webcam or streaming software.

For extra information, you can check out Elgato’s page for ‘Supported Software for the Cam Link 4K’.

Optional Accessories

1. Recommended* – AC Adapter with Dummy Battery / DC Coupler

Having constant power is quite important if you are streaming or using the Nikon D7200 for a long period of time.

If you plan to stream for a prolonged period of time then you don’t want your camera to run out of power.

The AC adapter uses a dummy battery in the battery compartment of the camera and allows your camera to have continuous power.

This will ensure that you will not run out of power when streaming on the Nikon D7200.

Below is an example of a dummy battery kit that is compatible with the Nikon D7200. 

2. HDMI Extension cable

This is only necessary if you need a long cable length from your camera to the capture card.

Most people should be fine with just the Mini HDMI to HDMI that we linked earlier.

If you think the Mini HDMI to HDMI cable you have is too short for your setup then you can get an HDMI male-to-female extension cable.

This will allow you to extend the length of cable between your camera and the capture card.

E.g. A Mini HDMI to HDMI cable fits into the female side of the HDMI extension cable and the male side fits into the capture card.

Tip: To reduce the need for this, get a Mini HDMI cable to HDMI cable that is already long enough on its own. 

3. Tripod 

Having somewhere stable for your camera to sit is essential when using it as a webcam. 

The last thing you want is shaky footage or a camera that gets knocked out of place during a video call or stream.

If you don’t already have a tripod then you may want to invest in one as they can provide more flexibility and stability to your setup.

  • GorillaPod 5K – if you need a lot of flexibility you can attach this to pretty much anything.
  • SmallRig Tripod – if you have more space and don’t mind having a larger tripod.

What Software Do I Need to Use My Nikon D7200 as a Webcam?

To use the Nikon D7200 as a webcam or for live streaming you will need software that is compatible with the capture card you decide to use. 

Elgato Cam Link 4K is universally compatible with any conferencing software that is able to use webcams, like Zoom or Skype.  

You can also use it with popular streaming software like OBS Studio. 

To read more about compatibility with the Cam Link 4K check out the following link ‘Supported Software for the Cam Link 4K’.

If you decide to use a different capture card then please check the compatibility of that specific capture card with the webcam/streaming software that you intend to use.

Set Up the Nikon D7200 for Webcam or Streaming 

  1. Make sure your camera has enough battery or has an AC adapter connected to receive constant power.
  1. Use your Mini HDMI cable to connect your camera to the capture card.

    The small side of your Mini HDMI cable should go into the Mini HDMI port on your Nikon D7200.

    The larger side can go straight into the Elgato Cam Link 4K. 
  1. Plug the Elgato Cam Link 4K into a USB port on your computer. You should be using a USB 3.0 port (these USB ports are blue on the inside). 
  1. Go to your ‘Custom Menu’ (this is the pencil icon).
  1. Select ‘Timers/AE lock’.
  1. Select ‘c2 standby timer’ and make sure this is set to ‘No limit’.
  1. Scroll to ‘c4 Monitor off delay’ and select this option.
  1. Scroll down to Live View and set this option to “No Limit” 
  1. Open your webcam software and make sure your camera is turned on. 
  1. Select the appropriate setting so that the Elgato Cam Link 4K is your chosen video feed. (This will depend on the software you decide to use but you can use the Elgato help website for assistance).
  1. Now you should see a direct feed from your Nikon D7200 on your webcam/streaming software. Adjust your camera settings to suit your preference.

To make the most of this setup you need to make sure you have the ability to use a Clean HDMI feed on your D7200.

This basically means that the camera can output what it is recording without having all of the icons from the user interface such as the frames per second, battery life, etc.

Luckily the Nikon D7200 is able to output a Clean HDMI feed…

How to Enable Clean HDMI on the Nikon D7200

To enable a clean HDMI feed on the Nikon D7200 you need to do the following:

  1. Go to your Menu.
  1. Go to the ‘SETUP Menu’ this should be the one that looks like a wrench.
  1. Under the setup menu, you should find an option called ‘HDMI’ (you may have to scroll down to find this option).
  1. In the HDMI sub-menu select ‘Advanced’
  1. You should now find an option called ‘Live view on-screen display’. Make sure this is set to ‘OFF’.

The menu locations in your camera menu could change if you have firmware updates. 

The main thing to look for is the ‘Live view on-screen display’ setting and to turn that off.

Quick Recap of Items

The 3 main items you need to use your D7200 as a webcam with clean HDMI output are as follows:

Further Resources

If you are happy to sacrifice a bit of quality then you can also use your Nikon D7200 as a USB webcam without using a capture card.

Check out the link below to the ‘Nikon Webcam Utility’ for more information on the ‘USB method’.

The video below is a really useful video if you need further guidance on other settings on the D7200.