Have one PC with Windows 2000 Pro and 2 USB webcams. Need to operate 2 identical webcams on one PC.
Purpose: Want first webcam directed at site one, and second cam directed at site two. Both images from Cam1 and Cam2 do not have to appear at sametime so I can switch images from Cam1 to Cam2, vice versa, for viewer to see.
Problems (potential/real):
1. Identical webcams use same software. Loaded Cam1 with Cam1 software. Then trying to load Cam2 with Cam2 (identical to Cam1 software) just overrides Cam1 software. Hence, only one Cam can use only the one installed software.
2. Thought of using a USB switch box to allow one hookup to the PC and two hookups to cams: Cam1 and Cam2. PC has one program loaded. To switch broadcasting cam, I switch to either device 1 (Cam1) or device 2 (Cam2). Will this work? Will I have problems with the PC’s autopaging of it’s usb ports when it senses that Cam1 signals have stopped for a millisecond only to be resumed via Cam2. (I suspect the PC will not be able to distinguish whether the signals are coming from Cam1 or Cam2 since signals from both cameras have been (will be) switched back and forth via the USB box.)
3. If the use of the usb switch box works, I’ve encountered a problem with the physical construction of the box. The female plugs in the back of the box for 2 usb devices to 1 pc are constructed differently. The 2 usb female recepticles are A connectors (flat) and the one PC female recepticle is B conncetor (square). If you notice that the male plugs from all USB devices are A flat connectors then trying to connect the two USB cams will have two usb male flat (A) to two female recepticles B square. I’ve found B to B male cables (for connection to routers) but have not found A to A male cables.
Summation: Attaching 2 identical usb devices with one installed software and run both devices alternatively via usb switch box. Can this work?