Neurotic

Hi, Basically I had a 4 camera system with I-catcher console working beautifully, everything configured to a tee.. motion detection (even filtered out outside light interference 98%), email alerts, sms alerts, iphone access, https access, etc. So here's the prob.. system worked for about 2 months with some powered hubs which I don't think was necessary afterall (thx Soundy) Rebooted and everything went to sh*t. I think I may have managed to blow the hubs (had some weird daisy chaining going on..) or the usb controller cos now even 1 cam plugged into comp doesn't work after rebooting. Everything else works fine tho build it myself.. Also cams are connected with active extender cables. Max about 5m from pc unit location If USB is outta the question, I need something where the cams are roughly same dimensions as this: http://jhcomputers.ca/images/product%20-%20webcam%20-%20Microsoft%20LifeCam%20VX-700.jpg Pinhole camera might be an option? That running at 360x and 1fps is plenty. But above all must be I-catcher console compatible! I love this software and bought the iphone apps to go with it. Cost.. hmm.. this is the biggy.. as cheap as possible probably dont mean much.. mainly I'm after reliability not 30fps 1500x whatever.. 350x @ 1fps is plenty! Hoping someone has gone through something similar.. Thanks heaps!!

Hey guys, First up, apologies if I posted this in the wrong section.. This has been bugging me for a while, but I finally found some sw that works effectively for a cctv system and have 4 Microsoft Lifecams (VX-700 here in Australia I believe, basic one anyway but does the job) and have these connected with also 4 usb "active" extender cables. No problems whatsoever with the signal, picture is crisp. However, I believe power is an issue here. Initially I bought 1 powered usb hub (rated 5v - 2A). Everything went along ok for several weeks even until I started getting dropouts. Then it dawned to me.. hmm.. 2A = 2000ma.. 4 x 500ma = 2000ma and the extender cables are probably going to need some (maybe not a lot) power and also the unit itself needs some of that 2A also. So I grabbed another 2A powered hub. I decided to plug each hub into a seperate port at the back of the box and essentially each powered hub (both plugged into the power board) would run 2 cams each. OK, I think there was some improvement but I can't be sure. So then I thought about "daisy chaining" this setup. Only have one hub plugged into the back of the comp and plug the other hub into that hub and then run "2 in each". Ok, long story short, nothing has really worked out perfectly. At the moment I have the daisy chain setup, but the child hub is running all 4 cameras. I just rebooted and now nothing shows up, all four cams are dead. I realise there are usb 3.0 hubs with 4A power? that are reverse compat with 2.0 usb devices.. but is that 4A available to only 3.0 devices maybe 2.0 devices would simply draw standard 2.0 power (500ma each). Thanks heaps!! EDIT: changed cam model #

Thanks Soundy. I tried getting help elsewhere but absolutely no luck, you've been the most help so far, thanks. Yeah, I read the 500mah from the tag on the power cord, but they are most likely just using that to be safe, in reality it is probably less even with active extenders. I uploaded a pic of the error in more detail, hope you can see it ok: EDIT: I uploaded my screenshot here: http://postimage.org/image/2xlllxumc/full/ Also the cable going from hub1 to hub2 which I believe is causing the problem is the last one pictured in hub1 going to 3rd from left into hub 2 on here: Sorry I know its a handful, thanks. EDIT: Sorry man for this retarted thread. What is interesting is everything was working PERFECTLY for at least 2 months before I rebooted and everything went to sh*t. Maybe I will just run one camera for the entrance and be done with it. Maybe that won't even work.. grr hate usb!

Thanks man for your reply. The cams are rated at 500ma which I thought was very strange for such a simple webcam Correction about the cam model, it is actually vx-700 not vx-100. It's this one: http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-LifeCam-VX-700/dp/B002JXKGFA

Hi, I recently discovered Icatcher and have gladly switched over from Active Webcam as it had trouble displaying a feed from my cameras.. anyway.. the console application of icatcher is working beautifully.. no real complaints. Problem is I can't seem to get it to send email alerts. Now I believe I've setup everything correctly as I can send the "test" email.. and my camera is detecting motion and saving images to the hdd, but nothing shows up in the "queue". Just one more thing.. does anyone know the "best" settings to have motion detection working outside near my front door, but I have a bad "glare" problem? I have tried masking certain areas and adjusting light, trigger settings, sensitivity, etc.. I am playing around with the ICE detection settings to get it to only alert if the object is big.. i.e. a person.. Thanks a lot!

I have a dual core pc vista and am trying to get 4 usb webcams (MS lifecam) running and for some reason now Active Webcam is struggling to even show 1 camera.. I have extension cables for each and a powered hub.. I have better luck with WebcamXP as I can get 2 or 3 running nicely.. but it doesn't have as nice features as AW.. any ideas? thanks guys.

Apologies in advance if I've posted in the wrong section.. I'm looking to buy Active Webcam Deluxe and came across this page: diskounted/internet-software/communications/active-webcam-deluxe.htm $69 Also this one: downloadpipe/purchase/Active-WebCam-Deluxe-buy1082130.html $71 Which points to RegNow? I'm guessing DP is an aff of regnow.. is regnow reputable? Anyone bought software from either of these outlets or know somewhere were I can get AW Deluxe cheaper than buying direct from PYSoft.. Thanks a lot!

Hey there, I live in an apartment which is part of a subdivided house. The property is shared with numerous other tenants a few of which are somewhat questionable. Anyway I bought a $20 Microsoft webcam and a 5m usb extension (which is plenty) and installed the camera under the light. I want 3 more webcams running and one looking out to the backyard from my bathroom. The only prob might be night vision as none of the cheap "decent" webcams seem to have them only the cheapo ebay ones. I only need to see a few meters out so don't need anything too advanced. I've installed Active Webcam trial edition and tinkered with the motion detection but its still pretty iffy, especially during the day. I'm running it from my home theatre pc (2.2ghz athlon, 45w, 2gig ram, 750gb hdd). I am considering building a dedicated box (p4 512mb ram?) just for the surveillance and forget about the motion detection and just record everything and review it the night before bed and tell it to make say.. hourly frame grabs for quick reference. Naturally all of this is useless if the thief breaks in a steals my box.. don't have anywhere to "hide" it so I might have to rely on a secondary alarm system with sms alerts, door sensors, etc. Might have to put chains and locks around my entertainment unit and hope for the best! Is there any software that could pickup physical movements? Alert me with a door/window opens? Would save me some time/money. All this needs to be remotely accessible since I'm going overseas in a couple of months for about 3-4 months. Cheers for any help guys!