need to get 1 camcorder with usb to 3 computers 1

[sassythang4u]

i need to get one camcorder, to run live video to 3 computers, how do i split 1 camcorder to the 3 computers?/

 

[norty303]

Does the camcorder have firewire or composite outputs?

If it's firewire you could try a couple of these...

http://www.usbfirewire.com/fhubs.html

If it's composite you'd need video in cards or separate capture cards and simple splitter cables/adaptors (you could make up your own) Not sure but you may need a signal booster if the computers are a long way from the camera and/or each other.

 

[KimLeece]

From your title heading (USB) be careful. USB outputs from camcorders are generally for still pictures only - not video streams. Maybe soon there will be camcorders with USB2 video outputs, but I didn't see them yet. Most camcorders now also have some kind of smart media or sony stick cards to store still pictures (as a ordinary digital camera does) That is what you can export over USB. As Norty303 said - check for a firewire output (most newish camcorders have them) and then go with his link.

Kim.

'Everybody is ignorant - only on different subjects.'
Will Rogers.

 

[norty303]

Incidentally, I know there are maximum cable runs for midi and USB. What are the max lengths for firewire? If the camera is to be used in another room and the output run to various machines in a building then this will be an issue too. Are firewire boosters available?

Someone else here please...

 

[KimLeece]

Firewire maximum cable length is 4.5 meters. However, if you Google around you will see things like:

http://www.sewelld.com/FireWireExtension.asp

so in fact - with a bit of research - it's possible to extend the distance. However - if we are talking about very long distances - this could definately become a problem - a video stream is a lot of data to move in realtime, without buffering.

Kim.

'Everybody is ignorant - only on different subjects.'
Will Rogers.

 

[KimLeece]

Here is another link for firewire hubs and repeaters:

http://www.firewirestuff.com/repeaters.html

Kim.

'Everybody is ignorant - only on different subjects.'
Will Rogers.

 

[norty303]

My original suggestion of capture cards and composite cables may well be a better option if this is the case then as the runs can be significantly longer although more attention will need to be paid to shielding. Depends on a few other factors like quality of image, etc

 

[sassythang4u]

the camcorder is a sony dcr-trv250 which has usb streaming, made just for running video to computer, like a web cam, i need to splitter the video feed from camcorder to 3 computers

thanks for everyones help
you guys are great

 

[KimLeece]

I'm sorry - I didn't notice the 'live' feed in your original post. I think that this produces a different problem. The USB stream from the camera isn't a video signal until it is interpreted by the relevant software on the receiving computer. This means that you can either do a multiple monitor setup from a video card that will do it (splitting the exported video stream again with a video splitter to output to two extra monitors) - Or, if you really need this to go through three different computers it sounds like you would have to use a USB splitter and install the camera drivers and software on each computer - whether this would work I'm not sure as you might have conflict problems with each computer trying to control the camera. The extra monitors setup will work - three computers controlling one camera - I'm really not sure, but I suspect not - although someone might know differently. Also you could possibly damage your machines connecting them across USB as there is also electrical current involved not just signals - most webcam's and lots of other USB devices get their power through the USB cable - so I would be very careful trying this. Again - I hope someone knows more about the risks of doing this than I do - and can post a definitive reply....

Kim.

'Everybody is ignorant - only on different subjects.'
Will Rogers.

 

[KimLeece]

Here is a link to a 4 port USB sharing device:

http://www.trianglecables.com/usbnetdatsha.html

However - it says that control of the device is on a first come first serve basis - so I'm not sure if it will output to all computers at the same time.

Kim.

'Everybody is ignorant - only on different subjects.'
Will Rogers.

 

[sassythang4u]

KIMLEECE I LOVE YOU, LOL YOUR THE BESTTTTTTTTT
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH

YOU FOUND IT FOR ME
THANK YOU!!!!!!