Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 Compatibility with iCam

[Ron]

I hate to ask about specific webcams being compatible with iCam, but ...

I am about to buy the Logitech HD Pro C920 Webcam but, I'm concerned about the H.264 hardware compression. Seems to me I read somewhere that iCam doesn't like H.264?

I like the idea of 1080 Full HD and Carl Zeiss Lens.

Thanks in advance.

[OUAnthony]

Unless you plan on using the webcam with other programs, you will be disappointed. Currently, iCam downsizes all images (the captured motion events and the ones sent to the iCam app) to 640 x 480. Otherwise, it should work since it's a USB camera. The H.264 issue is with IP cameras. This person has a C920 and says it works:

http://skjm.com/forum/index.php?topic=4084.0

[Ron]

Thanks for the quick reply OUAnthony.

I hadn't thought about the resize thing. I really have no intentions of using the C920 with any other program other than iCam, so I think I'll hold off purchasing. I love iCamSource and the App for my iPhone and iPad 

I've got 6 webcams running and "knock on wood" no crashes or problems on Win 7. And 3 of the cams are Pan and Tilt Orbit AF. Wippee !! The multiple computer (same user name and password) is awesome! Even my netbook computer runs a cam. You guys are geniuses 

[OUAnthony]

I freakin' love this program too. haha There are some changes I'd like to see implemented, but they are minor features I'd like...and who knows how practical they are to add without significant changes to the code. One of those changes I'd like to see...allow icamsource to save the original-size image as a motion event (maybe a checkbox to enable this feature), and then resize it for forwarding to the iCam app. The more people who request it, the more likely they are to implement it (if feasible).

[Stefan]

I freakin' love this program too. haha There are some changes I'd like to see implemented, but they are minor features I'd like...and who knows how practical they are to add without significant changes to the code. One of those changes I'd like to see...allow icamsource to save the original-size image as a motion event (maybe a checkbox to enable this feature), and then resize it for forwarding to the iCam app. The more people who request it, the more likely they are to implement it (if feasible).

There are actually a couple of related issues with grabbing the full-resolution images from the webcam.  If the images are considerably larger then the CPU usage would go way up when performing the motion detection logic. Comparing two much larger images or resizing every image received from the camera before performing the logic would add to the already considerable amount of processing that the iCamSource does. This would also slow down the playback rate of the live stream as well as the Motion Events.

[OUAnthony]

I have no clue how feasible this would be...but what about cloning the camera feed (like ManyCam does), using one feed (original-size images) for motion events, and the other feed (resized images) for motion detection and streaming to iCam? On the other hand, I guess it'd be just as easy to download/install ManyCam and just use the software that came with the USB webcam to capture motion events. I'm not sure if ManyCam can handle HD webcams though. I'm really just thinking out loud. I guess programming this doesn't really make sense for a small number of users with HD USB webcams...

[OUAnthony]

Ron,

Just FYI, I went to ManyCam's website (http://www.manycam.com/user_guide/#ManyCambasicfeaturesoverview) and read under the "Altering Video Output" section (about 2/3's of the way down the page) that ManyCam can output video up to 1280 x 960. So with that being said, you should be able to install ManyCam to clone the webcam's feed, add one of the ManyCam feeds to icamsource for iCam use, and add the same ManyCam feed to the software that comes with the camera (most software includes a motion detection/capture feature). If you choose to try this, I would highly recommend that you download/install ManyCam and test it with one of your other webcams first. ManyCam is free, although there is a "Pro" version that you can buy (not sure what features it offers). I use ManyCam with a USB camera, but it's an older version. I tried a newer version months ago, but had issues with it. I'm not sure if those issue have been resolved, so I would test it. Another benefit of ManyCam...you could also use your HD camera with Skype/etc at the same time it's being used with icamsource and the bundled software's motion detection. The old version (with a 640 x 480 webcam) has minimal impact on the CPU usage...not sure what impact a HD camera might have.

[Ron]

OUAnthony,

Thanks for the heads up on ManyCam. For the moment I'm delighted with iCam. On the 3, Orbit AF Pan and Tilt Cams, I have them set up for 2 MP resolution. I have not noticed a slow down at all and the images are very sharp. It's taken me 3 days to get all this set up and hiding the wires. I needed extra cable length so I bought a Belkin USB 4 Port Powered Hub for $20. http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=901902&CatId=4753

Then I found a heck of a deal at CompUSA on a Sabrent USB-X20 USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable - 65 ft, up to 480 Mbps with Gold Plated connectors for $24.99. http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=690727&srkey=m501-2014. So I bought 2 of them. Just for giggles, I might get another as a spare for that price. It actually was a store stocked item.

I'm still learning iCam and it has been a bit of a trick configuring 3 of the same cameras. I wonder, now that everything is working, what will happen if there is a power failure? I hope all the iCam settings are locked in ... 

[OUAnthony]

Yes, the iCam settings are saved. When I first set it up, in icamsource, I click the start/stop/start button just to make sure the settings are saved (by cycling it through start/stop at least once), although I'm not sure if that's necessary. The settings are saved in the registry (on PC's), so I'm guessing they're probably saved as soon as you click start the 1st time, or maybe even as soon as you add a camera.

Another thing to consider, if you're worried about power outages, is to run icamsource as a service. There are threads on here that discuss that, and I've done it on 2 computers. You also need to make sure that the BIOS setting on your computer regarding loss of power is set to turn the computer back on when power is returned. With these 2 settings, the only significant down-time will be during the power outage itself. Of course, you can buy a pricey UPS to provide backup power to your computer (and router/modem) to maintain the connection for some amount of time. That would probably only safeguard you for a few minutes though. To me, it's not worth the cost. Eventually, I plan on going solar for my house and building a battery backup system...which will eliminate any need for a UPS. Of course, you have no control over the Internet connection itself, so all of this is trivial if you have an inconsistent connection.