Excuse the simple question, but I'm back a generation (or two) on equipment experience.
Do the consumer level cams with HDMI output ports stream live on those ports or is it only playback capable? I'm looking for a live output on something with LANC.
I use the Sony HDR-CX700/690 connected via HDMI cable to the Sony CLM-V55 5 inch monitor (battery driven). They work well together - also the peaking focus help is supported - but the camera might work with any monitor.
My next purchase will be the small but still full HD Sony HDR-AS15 action cam which wifi's what you record to a smartphone - and it can be controlled from the smartphone too - if I understand the specs correctly, that is.... sounds nearly too good to be true ... but I will preorder one asap.
You need to be aware that the signal may not be good for recording but only viewing. For example the Sony VG20 HDMI out is a 4:2:2 signal therefore I can record to a nano flash recorder “apparently” I wanted to record to a nano with VG20 but what for, no real benefit.
In some cases the CAM HDMI outputs 8-bit 4:2:2 YCrCb upsampled from 4:2:0. so all you can do is avoid AVCHD compression.
"Do the consumer level cams with HDMI output ports stream live on those ports or is it only playback capable?"
RalphM,
As others have replied, yes, some do indeed. In my case, I have a now older but still faithful Canon HV30 (launch MSRP was around USD $800-900 though I got it for $500something) with HDMI out and I can use one of my 24" LCD monitors with HDMI ports as a live monitor instead/in conjunction with the camcorder's much smaller flip-out LCD. I use a compatible 25' HDMI cable - no need to go through a computer or video card, plugs right into the back of the monitor.
What I'm intending to use this for is the function of a remote wall mounted camera at my church. We stream video for deployed military and others who are unable to come to the services.
Right now I'm using a donated SD camcorder that works fine for the steaming video, but I want to also make the video available to volunteers in the nursery and parents in the cry room. Most inexpensive smaller TVs do not display SD very well, so I'm thinking about going to an HD camera. HD PTZ cameras are rather expensive, so the camcorder approach seems the more cost effective solution.
Soniclight - your mention of the HV30 is great because my daughter has one that she rarely uses. (It was sitting on the shelf behind me) I had forgotten it had an HDMI port. It's lacking LANC which I need to control the zoom, but i can probably accomplish that with an infrared extender and the HV30's remote control.