Hello,

I'm not sure where this topic should be posted, but I hope it fits here...

I have been browsing around the Internet for information about using multiple webcams connected to a single computer (I'm interested in webcams for PCs). My problem is that, after a week of searching through the Internet, I haven't found anything that could really answer that question (and sales people at computer stores, including sales support at Logitech, haven't been able to provide me with any solid answer either). What I want is to use three webcams and process those images that come from all these webcams at once (i.e. within an application/software).

Does anyone know if it is possible to connect multiple webcams to a single PC? Has anyone connected and used more than one webcam with the same computer? If it is possible, does anyone know if the same webcam software (or other compatible software) can be used for all webcams involved, or if separate software is needed for each webcam? Or can anyone point me in the direction where I could find more information about this?

I am looking for an answer to these questions mostly because I don't want to go and buy extra webcams if it isn't possible to use multiple webcams in the way I would like to use them.

/Soo-Im

Yes, it is possible to connect multiple webcams to a single computer and have the computer detect and receive feed from all of them. No, I am not sure if it is possible to simultaneously receive feed from all of them.

Thank you for your response and information.

/Soo-Im

I would think that each webcam would have to be from a different mfr., otherwise how do you tell one from another?

Each piece of hardware has a unique serial number that allows the computer to recognize it, even if its the same product from the same manufacturer. Take, for example, a computer lab of networked computers hooked up to three identical laser printers. Each computer on the network can print to any of the printers hooked up to the network. This is actually a common occurrence in computer labs, small office networks, etc.

So you're saying each webcam has its own embedded serial number?
Possibly this info can be transmitted over the internet, and this would raise some privacy issues in much the same way the Pentium serial number scandal did.

I'm saying that usually hardware has some unique identifier - whether a serial number or what not - that allows an operating system to distinguish it.

For example, this is how the Microsoft WindowsXP activation works to disable pirating and warez. Your operating system takes a snapshot, so to say, of the unique identification of all your hardware, and then sends that information to Microsoft when you register your operating system.

You can have two exact duplicate systems - same exact hardware, manufactuer, etc. etc. but Microsoft still knows it's two different computers due to their individual hardware identifiers ... which is basically just Microsoft data mining.

Microsoft allows you to change three pieces of hardware in your system before it considers it pirating. In fact, Microsoft knows what hardware you have and what you change/upgrade/etc.

But of course they're not doing anything morally wrong. Oh, no, of course not ...

Ammendum ... that's why manufactuers have to buy multiple copies of Windows for each computer they manufactuer. The same copy of Windows won't install on multiple machines, even if they're the exact same hardware! The hardware's unique identifiers prohibit that.

Microsoft WindowsXP activation? I'm sorry, I don't know anything about that. :-)

This tread is quite timely because I am currently evaluating some 'el cheapo' webcams. I will try to get another one of the same model as one of the ones that I already have, and will see if two of the same model can be easily distinguisehed by various webcam software.