USB and webcams

Sep 18, 2006 7 Replies

Let's say i have 4 identical usb webcams, i want to use those as a security system. Sounds great, but i have found so far only programs with usb support that do only one camera, unless you wish to pay top dollar. Could i make a small circuit to quickly switch the usb leads? In other words, usb has four wires, could i just put a simple switcher between the 5V lines? If all cameras are identical, it should work if i buffer the 5V with a cap, or not? If above should work, what would be the most easy circuit to switch 1 input to 4 outputs?



Bart Bervoets


Why not use the network cameras and software designed for this kind of job?

Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to prove it. Member of DAV #85. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:57:37 +0200, Bart Bervoets Has Frothed:

Active WebCam

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Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker, June 2004 COOSN-266-06-25794

Bart.... I did a quick Google on 'multiple webcam freeware' and came up with some good looking prospects for you. They seem grouped in two type; one that uses one driver and spits the input, the with separate drivers for each device. HTH Regards Lee

Can you send me a mail, maybe you can code something specific or have something what i need. Thanks

Bart Bervoets

Actually, that active webcam program might do the trick, i try the demo and see.

Bart Bervoets

when you say top dollar what are you referring too? i have coded applications before showing all video cam's or sources available on the PC at once. you must remember how ever that bandwidth is a problem with USB. for best performance using a USB router is not good. what does work good how ever is the wireless network cam's etc...

Real Programmers Do things like this. http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

sure, just send me one first, my e-mail is at the webpage listed below. we can talk from there.

Real Programmers Do things like this. http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

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