If I set up my Logitech cam as a security camera, using its own software to set it up as a motion-sense/record thingy, how long can I make the cable be from cam to PC? Can I get a USB extending lead off the shelf, or can I make one up?
AFAIK the answer hasn't changed since 14 August, when you last asked about this!
David
The USB standard says cables can be no more than 5m long (although you may find that a longer one will work). You can extend this with a 5m active/repeater cable, and you can use up to 5 of these connected together.
You can get USB print servers. I'm not sure quite how they work, but if it's by providing a 'virtual' USB port, then you may find that it will just work transparently.
Chris Key
providing a 'virtual' USB
Not. It's quite specialised, unfortunately.
providing a 'virtual' USB
Why? Active USB extensions aren't particularly expensive or hard to find.
providing a 'virtual' USB
USB print servers are specific to printers. They talk to the printer as a USB printer, and transfer the results of this consultation over ethernet/.... (do you put a . atfter ... ?) It's specific to printers, and able to be used over a longer distance than USB hubs.
providing a 'virtual' USB
By daisy-chaining 5 (the max) active USB 5m extensions (~£20 each IIRC) you can get 25m. Longer than this is possible, up to 200m using cat5 (netwoprk cable, but don't plug in to your network - you might fry something) but an extender kit will set you back around £200. I have used a product called a UXB from smart-e (UK based).
Chris
Yebbut... by the timre you're spending that much, the cheapness of the webcam's long since disappeared in the expense of the longer wiring. A cheapo security cam made for the job - along with a PCI card which will take up to 4 of 'em, connected through a long a length of Cat5 as you'll need in any domestic setup, comes to under 100 notes according to my (unreliable) memory of past postings here. Hell, it'd be cheaper to plug the webcam into an old "spare" PC and Ethernet the images back to where they're wanted (apart from the silly running costs ;-)
Precisely :-)
providing a 'virtual' USB
For the cheap amongst us, hubs can be had for 3 quid or so, and 5m cables for another 1 or so. So, maybe 20 quid for 5 cables, not 1. Plus, you can put several webcams on that string. However, USB2 hubs are more expensive, and are needed for video.
But, for about 100 quid, you could do a USB 1.1 system with 6 cameras, strung out over a rectangle 10m*20m quite easily.
They would only be taking snaps every 2-4 seconds or so, and would not be capable of operating in poor light (combined with PIR floods can be handy though)
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