web cam software.

Well I agree there.
The webcam drivers are possibly one of the very worst features of Windows.
Although I have seen many claims sof using several webcams on one computer
every one that I've tried has been absolutely USELESS.
In one case it even damaged the hardware on a USB port. I'm not sure
exactly how but that seems the only explanation for what happened.

Now here's one for all the LINUX experts. Is it true that LINUX can handle
peripherals MUCH better in this respect?

If so, please point me towards a source!
I'm an old timer, in computers since the UNIX and DOS days so I should
hopefully be able to find my way around LINUX.
I have LOTS of potential users of multi webcam security systems, even with
the limitations of USB.

(Si Ballenger) wrote in
:

On Wed, 12 May 2010 06:26:06 -0500, clifford wright
wrote:

Well I agree there.
The webcam drivers are possibly one of the very worst features of
Windows. Although I have seen many claims sof using several webcams on
one computer every one that I've tried has been absolutely USELESS.
In one case it even damaged the hardware on a USB port. I'm not sure
exactly how but that seems the only explanation for what happened.

Now here's one for all the LINUX experts. Is it true that LINUX can
handle peripherals MUCH better in this respect?

If so, please point me towards a source!
I'm an old timer, in computers since the UNIX and DOS days so I should
hopefully be able to find my way around LINUX.
I have LOTS of potential users of multi webcam security systems, even
with the limitations of USB.

Perhaps you should look into the old winnov pci AV cards.They can
have three cams connected, and several cards can be put into one
pc if there are slots. Winnov does not use the standard windows
drivers.


Thanks Si!
I'll look into that over the weekend. I'm off to a NZ Ham convention with
my spark transmitter and the Vintage radio society, but hopefully I might
find a bit of old PCI computer stuff for sale.

BTW I've been trying several webcams out and so far I've found that
Microsoft lifecams are downright dangerous if you have ever had any sort
of video USB device installed before (causes all sort of nasty Windows
problems).
Genius cameras are basicall garbage and Logitech cams are very well made
and technically OK, but have very inflexible software. They do NOT have a
maximise button so you can use the whole screen to display the good
images they can create!!!
Cliff Wright.