Cameras to laptop

[BeeJ]

I want to hook up several cameras to a laptop.
If I use USB webcams I can write code to view and do security stuff.
BTW the software is already written and running.

But the cable length is too limiting even with USB extension cables.

I have access to the USB cams and the built-in laptop cam just fine.

If I use video out cams CCTV what is the best way to get the video into
the laptop such that it looks like a USB webcam?

Or an ethernet cam that has a ethernet to USB converter.

Or suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Desireless]

There are video to USB converters - google
dazzle

You can usually run the video cable long distances with no problems.

Yeah, I use a mixture of USB and vid-to-USB connections, I've
been through a few of them during testing and found KWorld was
the least hassle:

http://tinyurl.com/broyzeh

(USB 2860 device) works well in Windows XP and Ubuntu.

 

[Jasen Betts]

I want to hook up several cameras to a laptop.
If I use USB webcams I can write code to view and do security stuff.
BTW the software is already written and running.

But the cable length is too limiting even with USB extension cables.

even the 10m ones?
http://www.dynamix.co.nz/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=BF-3010Y&ID=6297652

I have access to the USB cams and the built-in laptop cam just fine.

If I use video out cams CCTV what is the best way to get the video into
the laptop such that it looks like a USB webcam?

video-to-usb adaptors.
https://secure.vividcluster.crox.net.au/jaycar2005/productView.asp?ID=XC4991

Or an ethernet cam that has a ethernet to USB converter.

laptop doesn't have ethernet already?

Or suggestions.

usb-over-cat5
http://www.dynamix.co.nz/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=USB-EXT03&ID=6297654
Have not seen these retail. Have not looked.

 

[Desireless]

even the 10m ones?
http://www.dynamix.co.nz/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=BF-3010Y&ID=6297652


video-to-usb adaptors.
https://secure.vividcluster.crox.net.au/jaycar2005/productView.asp?ID=XC4991


laptop doesn't have ethernet already?


usb-over-cat5
http://www.dynamix.co.nz/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=USB-EXT03&ID=6297654
Have not seen these retail. Have not looked.

I'm not sure but aren't these USB1.1 only?

 

[Desireless]

I have a USB cam 70 feet from a mini-ITX PC; one 10 foot passive cable
and two 30 foot active extenders, one of them outdoors. Works fine.

ftp://jjlarkin.lmi.net/CABIN.JPG

You can put a powered USB hub or two into the system, too.

I tried this (only one time) - buying a repeater cable but it failed
miserably for me, purchased from eBay - can you tell me what
make your extenders are please? I'd like to try it again.

 

[asdf]

I want to hook up several cameras to a laptop. If I use USB webcams I
can write code to view and do security stuff. BTW the software is
already written and running.

But the cable length is too limiting even with USB extension cables.

I have access to the USB cams and the built-in laptop cam just fine.

If I use video out cams CCTV what is the best way to get the video into
the laptop such that it looks like a USB webcam?

Or an ethernet cam that has a ethernet to USB converter.

Or suggestions.

Thanks!

A dirt cheap four channel USB video capture card might do.

<http://www.dealextreme.com/p/easycap-4-channel-4-input-usb-2-0-dvr-video-
capture-surveillance-dongle-11127>

I have one identical to that one, works like a charm and is Linux
supported. Just don't expect fast frame rates as the four inputs are
multiplexed, not a big limitation for video surveillance purposes though.

 

[Jasen Betts]

I'm not sure but aren't these USB1.1 only?

Yeah, but 13Mb/s should be fast enough for std resolution video.
there may be a faster version out there somewhere.

 

[Desireless]

Yeah, but 13Mb/s should be fast enough for std resolution video.
there may be a faster version out there somewhere.

Just on a side note, I was reading about USB 3.0 and it turns
out the max (normal) length is no longer 5m, but 3. Bah!