Cheap Multiple Camera Inputs

[bonerton]

Hey all, looking for advice on multiple camera inputs. Firstly, here are two similar posts, but are a bit dated:
http://www.vidvox.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3260&hilit=mulitple+camera+input
http://www.vidvox.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5979#p22210

Since I'm on a macbook pro with only a single FW800 port, my current method involves using an external hardrive as a hub (LaCie Quadra w/ 2x FW800, FW400, USB 2.0, eSATA) for 2 firewire dv cameras. This works for the most part, but sometimes one or both of the cameras will eject, and other times the whole hardrive will eject. I realize this method isn't probably the best way to handle multiple camera inputs, but it works and it's cheap. Any tips or not too expensive video cards worth looking at? Also, any experience with wireless/network cameras (being limited by firewire cable length sucks)? Any info is appreciated, thnx!

[2bitpunk]

There's a simple way to get as many video feeds as you like and that's to use IP cameras and a Web source layer in VDMX. You could use something like the airVision Mini camera from Ubiquiti Networks which are PoE so very easy to set up and power.

http://www.ubnt.com/airvision

[bonerton]

Hmmm, interesting. I'd like to know more about working with a network of IP cams. I see some cams only have cat5 jacks while others also have wifi. Does each cam have it's own IP address/url, which could then be assigned to separate layers? Is framerate dependent on the network and would multiple cams bog down the network? Anyone have a multi IP cam setup goin? Thanks for the reply 2bit !

[2bitpunk]

A wired camera would be the best option and more reliable than WiFi as well as ethernet is inexpensive and easy to work with. As far as frame rates go the unit I mentioned claims a maximum of 30fps at 1MP/HDTV 720p over 100Mbps and has the option to change the bit and frame rate.

The best way to test this and to simulate a bad connection (worst case scenario) is to create a web layer and open one of the online web cam's from EarthCam. Add more layers to see what happens. The quality of the image from the EarthCam will be worse than a wired cam but could be useful to prove the concept.

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

Also remember the IP cameras like the Ubiquiti Networks Aircam Mini are low cost at around £100 each so much cheaper than any other method bar old SD kit.

Another point to consider is how you are going to process the video feed and what anomalies such cameras might provide as an effect. High quality is not always required or beneficial to the end result. Final point if you have multiple cameras use a good quality switch, something like the low cost ZyXEL GS108B 8-port Gigabit Desktop Switch.

My advice would be to buy the cheapest IP camera you can find and give it a go.

[bonerton]

great info here, thanks a lot 2bit. Oh man, this earthcam is great!

[meeble]

can anyone report back what kind of latency they are getting with their IP based cameras? I am considering using something like this, but need low latency inputs. Thanks.

[ThatFuzzyBastard]

Do you need all the cameras to run simultaneously, or are you switching between them? If the latter, then an old-fashioned analog matrix switcher should do the job.

[meeble]

I wouldn't need them to all be displayed concurrently, but I would need it to be 100% automated. From what I can tell, most analog video switchers don't have full automation.

Anyway, if any of you can report back the kinds of latency you are experiencing with your IP cams - that would be helpful.

[cbhattarai]

If you want to do that, then you can also use DVR with 16 Challels r below or above it..

[meeble]

I don't understand your post - sorry.

[gabemott]

I'm attempting to re-ignite this post to see if there are any more examples of people attempting three cameras all playing at the same time.

I'm going to output three screens using the MATROX triplehead2go... Each screen needs: (a) at least one video layer from my media bin, (b) a live unique video feed (c). hopefully some effects....

My macbook pro was top of the line 1.5 years or so ago (2.3 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3) and I'm concerned about maxing out my processor so my plan is to get 3 very low rez cameras-- 640x480...

I'd love to hear more suggestions on brands and issues with latency and anything else when using USB (i was just hoping to run a standard USB splitter to get in three inputs) versus IP cameras.

Thanks

[meeble]

Hey man,

every IP camera I tried had too high of latency - so I gave up on the idea and just use BlackMagic Intensity cards in my MacPro.

[ThatFuzzyBastard]

Hunh! How are you using an Intensity to get multiple camera inputs to VDMX?

[eatyourwork]

if you have DSLR you can use this:
http://blairneal.com/blog/canon2syphon-v1-0/ or
https://github.com/v002/v002-Camera-Live

i've tried it a bit seems a budget way, especially if you have DSLR.

[gabemott]

Thanks for the information.
@meeble, I hadn't heard of the BlackMagic Intensity cards and would love to hear more. From a quick look at the products, it looks like you've got either have a tower (Intensity Pro) use USB 3 port or Thunderbolt port.
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/product ... ty/models/

My MacBook Pro doesn't have USB 3 as far as I can tell from checking my hardware specs (it would be great it I was wrong). I've been planning on using the Thunderbolt port for the Matrox Triplehead2go ... so I might be out of luck with the BlackMagic...

@eatyourwork- DSLR sounds like a great solution, but needing 3 of them I'm looking for something alot cheaper but thanks.

I'm still thinking super cheap 640x480 even black and white as I'd rather give up for bandwidth res/color if I could get latency and framerate improved. Just have 2 weeks to figure all this out.

Thanks!