The Sony ZV-1 is a great little compact camera for vloggers and the only thing missing until now has been the ability to connect it to a computer via USB for livestreaming.
You would have thought this would be a basic function for any vlogging-orientated camera, but makers seem to have been caught on the hop by the coronavirus crisis and the surge in webcam use and streaming.
In most cases, though, all it needs is a firmware update to add streaming capability to the camera’s USB connection. Essentially, this means that the camera can send video as a live video stream straight to the computer.
Sony ZV-1 version 2.00 firmware update
Sony says the ZV-1 version 2.00 firmware update improves the overall stability and performance of the camera, but the principal feature is the ability to connect the ZV-1 via USB cable to a PC or Xperia smartphone. (This applies to Xperia 1 II smartphones or Xperia 5 II smartphones that have been upgraded to Android™ 11. Update availability varies by region.)
This means it’s now possible to carry out livestreaming and general online communication using both the camera’s video and audio feed, offering better quality than you would get from a webcam or your computer’s inbuilt video camera and microphone.
Download links are below (US users – other territories have local Sony sites)
• Download Sony ZV-1 version 2.00 firmware update (Windows)
• Download Sony ZV-1 version 2.00 firmware update (Mac – Mac OS Big Sur not supported)
It’s unfortunate that livestreaming capability wasn’t built into the Sony ZV-1 in the first place, and doubly unfortunate that Mac OS Big Sur users appear to be left out. We are trying to clarify whether it is simply the firmware update installer which is incompatible or whether the ZV-1 will not be able to livestream to Macs running Mac OS Big Sur.
Read more:
• Best vlogging cameras
• Best cameras for streaming
• Best webcams
• Home working for photographers
• Best streaming services
