Looking for a switcher
 

I need to connect multiple cameras to my computer.. I am considering a switcher that will handle the feed from multiple cameras.

Anyone have suggestions?

Ideally, I would be able to get the signal through USB3.0, but I also have a ExpressSlot that I can use for adapters (such as http://www.google.com/products/catal...CCIQ8wIwBTgA#p) but would prefer NOT to spend that money if I can find a switcher that will do the work for me.

- Firewire? USB? Component?
- How many cameras in total?

I have used Firewire, USB and S-Video successfully.
My new computer will have Firewire and USB AND a PCIExpress slot that could be used.

So, any of these options work.

# of cameras changes.. 2-4 is the sweet spot. But if the price is right, I am willing to look at 8 channels.


Thanks Spider!

What it comes down to for multiple cameras [for smooth video flow] is the software.
There doesn't seem to be any market value for multiple camera software 'cept for the security market.
Security systems offer the full-screen views of multiple cameras that multi-camera operators want.

We want logs,
we want motion activation,
we want auto-capture-emailers(or ftp) senders,
we want precise, clear, full fps video,
we want remote control of camera angles.

Standard camera software for PCs is fine as long as you don't run more than 2 cameras. When you start
loading 3,4, or more cameras into conventional PC camera software the capture/display slows down so
much it's pretty much unusable. It doesn’t matter if your running quad-core/DDR3/Solid-state systems it’s
the software that bogs down translating the multiple video feeds.

The best systems I’ve seen are offered by the security field and they are not cheap.

If you want to hack around and try and find an piece of software called Home Security Camera 1.00 from Sax Security.
They offered the software for a while but it seems to have vanished off the Web. It was a simple interface that seemed
to load multiple cameras and no lag in video display. No bells and whistles on that one just a display software.

The video hardware you pointed to earlier is talking about “eight channels of HDMI audio”. If you want eight video inputs for
cameras on a piece of hardware you’re talking about thousands of dollars.

If you want these multi cameras for hobby use then use USB port cameras and look for a piece of software
claiming to monitor and record from multiple cameras simultaneously. You have to test each one to see which
one is for you. Most of them are not cheap.

Awesome response.
Most comprehensive.

I will look around.. I am likely to eventually build in a switcher and invest more dollars... OR hire out when an event calls for more than 2 camera angles.

Thanks for the insight again, Spider!
bam

Your welcome, good luck with all of that.