# Using Video Capture Device and Capture Card Device Source (Mac) In the macOS version of PRISM Live Studio, two distinct source types are provided based on the characteristics of your hardware. Before you start your live stream or recording, add your camera or capture card using the appropriate source type to ensure optimal performance. *** ### 1. Selecting Source Type and Adding a Device When clicking the **\[+] (Add source)** button in the **Sources** tab, you can choose between two types: * **Video Capture Device:** Best suited for standard webcams and PRISM Lens. It supports both system presets and manual customization for resolution and color. * **Capture Card Device:** Specifically optimized for capture cards. It focuses on manual configuration for resolution, frame rate, and input formats. {% hint style="info" %} **If the device does not appear or the screen remains black:** * **Check System Permissions:** Go to `System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera` and ensure that PRISM Live Studio is allowed to access the camera. * **Check Connections:** If you are using a hub or adapter, try switching to a different port or re-plugging the device. * **Close Conflicting Apps:** Ensure that other software using the camera (e.g., FaceTime, PRISM Lens, or other streaming apps) is completely closed. {% endhint %} *** ### 2. Video and Quality Settings **Use Preset — Applicable to Video Capture Device** * **High / Medium / Low:** You can quickly set the image quality using system presets without manually adjusting resolution and frame rate. If the device does not support a specific preset, that option will be grayed out or unavailable. **Custom Settings — Applicable to Capture Card or when 'Use Preset' is disabled** * **Resolution:** Select a specific resolution (e.g., 1920x1080). If the device does not support the selected resolution, it will remain in the list but may be marked as unavailable. * **Frame rate:** Choose a frame rate that matches the capabilities of your device and the selected resolution. * **Input format:** Select the video pixel format. If the image does not appear, try switching to a different format. **Advanced Properties** * **Color Space / Video Range:** Generally, keeping these at **Default** or the device’s recommended values is the most stable choice. * **Buffering:** Checking this enables buffering, which improves stability and reduces stuttering. Unchecking it reduces latency for real-time interaction. * **Screen Orientation:** If the orientation is incorrect, you can adjust rotation or flipping via the source's **Filters** or the Transform menu in the scene. *** ### 3. Audio and Device Recovery * **Audio Input:** Video capture sources on macOS may not include audio input automatically. To use a microphone or internal computer audio, please add a separate **\[Audio Input]** source and use it alongside your video source. * **Automatic Reconnection:** If a device is disconnected, the software will detect it and may display a "Device removed" message. Once reconnected, PRISM will receive a system notification and attempt to resume the capture automatically without requiring a restart. If it does not recover automatically, simply re-select the device in the properties menu. *** ### 4. Frequently Asked Questions and Solutions Q: I get a "No Permission" error or the camera feed is black. A: Check `System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera` on your macOS and ensure PRISM Live Studio is toggled **ON**. You may need to restart PRISM for the changes to take effect. Q: The message "Device is busy" is displayed. A: This means another program is already using the camera. Close apps like FaceTime or other streaming software. After closing them, refresh the device list by re-selecting the device in the source properties. Q: PRISM Lens is selected but it doesn't work. A: Ensure the PRISM Lens application is installed, running, and has been granted camera permissions. Also, make sure you have selected the correct Lens device name in the PRISM Live Studio device list. Q: The video is stuttering, lagging, or tearing. A: If you are using a hub or adapter, ensure the connection is stable and the cables are reliable. Enabling the **Buffering** option can often help enhance stability in these cases. [Desktop](/desktop/overview.md), [Guides](/desktop/guides.md), [Sources](/desktop/guides/sources.md), [Video Capture Device Source](/desktop/guides/sources/video-capture-device-source.md) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guide.prismlive.com/desktop/guides/sources/video-capture-device-source/using-video-capture-device-and-capture-card-device-source-mac.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.