don't know if it helps but I also run x4 webcams over some distance from my comp as well. I ditched my hub (though it was in combination with a cat5/usb adapter to get the distance). I soon realised that investing in some active USB extender cables was a much better combo. I run 30 metre, 20 metre and 15 metre active extenders (with the 4th cam going straight into the comp) and it's maintenance free really. Before i was getting grey screens and drop outs with my hub/cat5 extender combo. My feeling is I could probably run all 4 cams on the maximum usb extender cables (30/35 metre ones?) if I wanted to, i can't confirm it would work, many variables with the biggest being your CPU useage etc.
yeah, another vote here too for an audible alarm (while asleep). I've got an app on my iphone from my last webcam setup that allows you to configure alerts of all types and volumes, but it is email based. It really is the only thing that concerns me in this otherwise top little program.
hi, just an update in case my experience helps anyone else. I used to run 4 webcams (all the same logitech 9000's) with various extensions: cat 5 to usb converter over 30 metres, an active repeater over 20 meters and good old straight into the computers usb's with the remaining 2. I had freezing problems and crashing quite a lot.
I stripped everything back to basics, flushed the registry settings with a file you can get on this forum, then reinstalled the program again and setup the 4 cams straight into the comp, all this running ok on my Core Duo 1.97 GHZ comp with 2gigs ram. My CPU averages between 40-60% - quite high but this is my dedicated security computer - used for nothing else.
I then set about attaching x3 usb active extender cables. 15, 20 & 25metres and ran the 4th cam straight into the comp, and that's where i'm up to now. I'm having the occasional freeze of the odd camera but am stretching things a little so it isn't too surprising. Getting rid of the Cat5 to USB extension cable seemed to help me and staying with active usb repeater cables.
For those that want to go the extra mile - you can setup repeating scheduled tasks which can run a batch file to restart Icamsource every few hours (or whenever you like really), this hopefully rectifies any occasional freezes or glitches that might occur, also the comp reboots itself once a day. All in all I can mostly leave the comp running without needing the monitor, and that's my (almost) maintenance free system. It's hard not to fiddle for better performance every now and then though!
regards. Sean
...forgot to say that am also using Dropbox to store files off site, and thanks to OUAntony for help with troubleshooting and suggestions.
i'd start by turning off icam and trying to get the 2 cameras to show using their native programs, I imagine if one is built into the laptop and one connected that they are both different and using different drivers. I run x3 logitech cams and can raise them all (one at a time) with my logitech software. This would be the first step before looking for them both in icam source, raise them both seperately first if you havn't already. Then turn off the manufacturers programs and the respective cameras/drivers should be found in the drop down menu when setting your camera(s) up. Hope that helps a bit.
droberts, I watch with interest as your experience is v similar to my own, though i have more hardware issue to explore in whats causing my freezing/killing of sessions. There is good support here so hopefully this issue will be understood.
Hi Jay, I think iv'e probably spoke to soon as my system has a bunch of variables that I could eliminate - ie coming up from 1 camera again going straight into the computer and watching for freezing. For the record i'm running x3 logitech 9000 webcams and a cheaper little trust webcam, but my issues probably exist in the fact that i run one cam on a cat5/usb 40 metre extension (with powered hub at the end of it) and another cam on an active usb repeater, so there are possible issues (or not) there.
All in all im very pleased that i can run 4 cams, now I have to get past this freezing problem, hopefully my machine can handle it, cPU = 30ish, and it displays fine in my iphone. I'll report back if there's anything to say after getting more basic with my setup again.
Hi, i have built up my icam setup (Win XP, dual core processor, no other programs running and the comp set to never sleep/always on) to 3 cameras now, but the same problem occurs in that the images freeze usually after about 3 or 4 hours, requiring restart of icam source. CPU is running at about 30 something usually and i'm fairly competent with getting the best from my machine, I'm open to any suggestions that might cure my freezing.
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