I wrote: >AFAIK it's not possible to use more than one Quicktime camera >with any Macintosh, at least not under a classic Mac OS as >QT can't deal with more than one video source at once.
to which George Mogiljansky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> replied: >Thanks for that. >I should have mentioned that I will be attempting to >use either or both CoolCam and DigitalRadar apps. The >camera(s) will only be activated (I'm hoping) when a >certain set of conditions is met (probably involving >night-time darkness). > >The powerbook will be unattended for long periods of >time (probably weeks). I am searching for a >3400-compatible USB PCMCIA card that will provide >enough power to connect a Kensington USB cam as a >second camera (if that's possible - to use both the >Connectix and the Kensington). > >Power failures are common in the area, so the Li ion >battery will have to take over and keep things humming >until the power comes back on. This means I cannot >use a desktop (which might have made things easier). > >So far, I have avoided the option of getting a proper >surveillance apparatus. Is there any other Mac-ready >option (HW or SW or both) that might be useful? Doesn't matter the source (serial or USB), if using QuickTime as the underlying transport you cannot have more than one video input at a time per Mac. Your's is an interesting problem and I'm curious to see how you solve it. My thinking, given the one-camera-per-Mac limit, is to use multiple inexpensive PBs to do the capturing. IIRC, Digital Radar can run on any 68030 or better, so even a PB500 or 190 would do the trick. A PB500 has built-in ethernet _and_ video out, but uses (small) SCSI HDs and has no PCcard slots. The PB190 has PCcard slots and uses ATA drives but lacks video out and built-in enet . . . sigh. Another idea - I've been seeing stand-alone IP-based cams for around $100, eg: <http://www.pimfg.com/product_detail.asp?master_desc=&secondary_desc=&part= IC-300> and w/audio: <http://www.pimfg.com/product_detail.asp?master_desc=&secondary_desc=&part= IC-301> more money, more features?: <http://www.pimfg.com/product_detail.asp?master_desc=&secondary_desc=&part= NC-1000S> more more features, and wifi connected to boot: <http://www.pimfg.com/product_detail.asp?master_desc=&secondary_desc=&part= NC-1000W> Might something like one of these be an option? Interestingly, you can probably run a QuickCam on your 3400 while simultaneously accepting an IP video feed. Another (more costly) solution is conventional video surveillance hardware, with video cameras feeding either into a time-lapse VCR or into a Mac-based video digitizer. The key with these setups is using a multiplexer, which lumps several video feeds into one. I'm sure you've seen security screens where there are, for example, 4 individual pictures on one TV monitor. IIRC, a four-up multiplexer ain't cheap ($300?), but it may be possible to source something pre-owned. BTW, if theft is the problem you face, aren't you a tad concerned the thieves will make off with your carefully crafted surveillance setup? :-P dan k ................................. http://macdan.n3.net/ carracho://dankephoto.dhs.org:9700 hotline://dankephoto.dhs.org:9500 ................................. -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
