IMAC USB BUS

Question

I have encountered a scenario where multiple video webcasting softwares will not work with 3 AGENT V5 usb webcams at once. Wirecast (software) tech has indicated to me it is (probably is) my IMAC's usb bus cannot handle the 3 camera's streaming at once and this is why I am only able to see 2 AGENT V%'s and my isight at ONCE in Wirecast options. This happens to ring true to me based on differing scenarios I have tried with Photobooth, Camtwist, BoinxTV.
I was wondering if anyone has the math that would allow me to verify if the reason above is in fact the source of my problem? (I mac usb bus capability).
I have 4 usb connectors on my new IMAC, they should all be able to be used at once...apparently not?
Any thoughts?
IMAC 3.06 Intel core 2 duo, 4 gig Ram

Answer 1

jimmydhoussen wrote:
I have encountered a scenario where multiple video webcasting softwares will not work with 3 AGENT V5 usb webcams at once. Wirecast (software) tech has indicated to me it is (probably is) my IMAC's usb bus cannot handle the 3 camera's streaming at once and this is why I am only able to see 2 AGENT V%'s and my isight at ONCE in Wirecast options. This happens to ring true to me based on differing scenarios I have tried with Photobooth, Camtwist, BoinxTV.
I was wondering if anyone has the math that would allow me to verify if the reason above is in fact the source of my problem? (I mac usb bus capability).
I have 4 usb connectors on my new IMAC, they should all be able to be used at once...apparently not?
Any thoughts?
IMAC 3.06 Intel core 2 duo, 4 gig Ram
I have nothing technical to add to Dah•veed's good comments, but one of these might be of interst.
(1) If your multiple camera setup is for security purposes, you may be able to use your existing system with different software such as http://www.securityspy.com/ that uses a timelapse feature to reduce bandwidth requirements.
(2) If your requirement is for actual streaming video, perhaps reducing the frame rate and dimensions of the video images might give you access to the additional streams you need. If you have not already considered them, it is possible that Apple's QuickTime Broadcaster and Streaming Server might be worth considering:
  • http://www.apple.com/quicktime/broadcaster/
  • http://www.apple.com/quicktime/streamingserver/
They may not be easy to use, but they offer very powerful, professional-level, capability.
(3) If you do not already know whether the problem is with limits internal to your Mac or might be related to your streaming connection's available bandwidth, you can check the latter for comparison against what you are paying for by using http://speedtest.net/
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.2)  MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.2)
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