Sparky Griswold Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 To all who have or will be using a live online feed for their shows, I wanted to ask how you are acomplishing this? I am using USTREAM as the vehicle. Its a free online streaming site for your audio/video. I'm using a typical logitech web cam with a wide angle view lens I made work. Problem is distance. I'm using a USB to Cat5 coupler and using Cat 5 cable as the extension cord from PC to Camera. It works to about 75 feet however not consistantly. I spoke with Logitech and they said its a power issue. Camera wasn't designed to go 100 feet. I don't usually take no for an answer. There are always solutions, just haven't yet found this one. =) I even tried putting a powered USB HUB at the camera but doesn't effect it either way. Would like to know what others are doing to accomplish a live feed. Thanks in advance.BryanPhx, AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Don't use a webcam for my display, but what about using a wireless webcam? I am sure there is a "MacGyver" way to make yours work though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 thinking hard about that solution just given the BS I've encounter with this one. Trying to keep costs down and still acomplish this. Great idea though.The other issue I'm facing is getting the entire show in the frame. a traditional webcam only has about 72 degrees where the wide angle lens I retro fitted has 160 meaning i can basically put the cam on my sidewalk and get the whole show without having to go any further than I have to. Appreciate the input. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I agree, forget the dumb techs statement about not designed to go 100 feet. But I do have a few questions about this USB to ethernet media converter. How do you power the end closes to the computer? How do you power the end closes to the camera? I am wondering why the powered hub didnt help? Did you put this out at the camera when you had the ethernet converters installed with about 100 feet of Cat 5 between the units?Some rules can be bent, some can be broken. And others at this time are written in stone. In this case, I am sure we can find a way to bend them. BTW do you own a volt meter? I suspect we will need one before we are done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bret LeFevre Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 bryanblake wrote: To all who have or will be using a live online feed for their shows, I wanted to ask how you are acomplishing this? I am using USTREAM as the vehicle. Its a free online streaming site for your audio/video. I'm using a typical logitech web cam with a wide angle view lens I made work. Problem is distance. I'm using a USB to Cat5 coupler and using Cat 5 cable as the extension cord from PC to Camera. It works to about 75 feet however not consistantly. I spoke with Logitech and they said its a power issue. Camera wasn't designed to go 100 feet. I don't usually take no for an answer. There are always solutions, just haven't yet found this one. =) I even tried putting a powered USB HUB at the camera but doesn't effect it either way. Would like to know what others are doing to accomplish a live feed. Thanks in advance.BryanPhx, AZHow about putting a laptop with camera across the street in your neighbors window wirelessly connected to your network? I know someone who does this for security and he has the same setup for his neighbor in his window.Sure wish I could but I have a new neighbor and they maybe trouble come display time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 Well, I definatley have that opportunity should I need it. We live in a cul-de-sac and of the 7 homes we are all very good friends. Thanks for the suggestion. Good luck with your display and the "New" neighbors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 Hey Max,Thanks for input. As one put it, I will MacGyver my way through this. I have been working on this thing since i posted earlier today. Here is what I have found thus far,The camera fully functions with the USB to Cat 5 coupler on both ends again using Cat5 cable as the extension cord up to about 40 feet from the tower. USB cabling is way to expensive to even think about. However, when I add another 100ft cat5 cord it doesn't see it. furthermore, if I eliminate the previous 40 foot cord and replace with the 100ft cord it still sees it but when I put the two together I loose it. Sooooooooooo, somewhere between 100-140feet is the breaking point for the camera. I think this is a great solution once I find that magic number and maybe others can take advantage of this simple yet effective way to stream live. I'll keep everyone who's interested posted. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 Also, regarding the cat5/usb coupler. Thats all it is. just hardware no software. plug and play. I didn't even know they made such a thing. The tower provides the power which is why I thought the powered hub was brilliant but like I mentioned earlier it didn't have any effect inline at the camera or inline at the tower but the couplers do work I just need to find that magic distance before the web cam shuts down. And the wide angle lens was a lifesaver as well. Had to get it from HongKong. $10 with shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 bryanblake wrote: USB cabling is way to expensive to even think about.Not sure if this is an option but their cable is usually pretty cheap here:http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030312&p_id=7533&seq=1&format=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 WOW. that's definatley the cheapest I've seen yet. Thank you. This may just be the missing link for the distance I need. Really appreciate the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jldavis1969 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 bryanblake wrote: The camera fully functions with the USB to Cat 5 coupler on both ends again using Cat5 cable as the extension cord up to about 40 feet from the tower. USB cabling is way to expensive to even think about. However, when I add another 100ft cat5 cord it doesn't see it. furthermore, if I eliminate the previous 40 foot cord and replace with the 100ft cord it still sees it but when I put the two together I loose it. Sooooooooooo, somewhere between 100-140feet is the breaking point for the camera. I think this is a great solution once I find that magic number and maybe others can take advantage of this simple yet effective way to stream live. I'll keep everyone who's interested posted. Thanks again.Try putting a hub in place where the splice of the two Cat5 cables instead of a coupler. I suspect that the pinout on one of the Cat5 cables is changing. (I.E. 528a pinout to 528b pinout) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Ok that was not real clear. And I think you want to brain storm this on your own. So, I am not going to ask any more questions or try to trouble shoot over the web, which is hard enough at times. So, I am backing away and will wait to hear your find or fix unless a direct question is asked.If you do find a fix, I too would love to hear what it was and what you found that lead you to that fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Batzdorf Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Here is a product we use at work.http://www.rose.com/htm/crystallinkusb20cat5.htmCan extend the USB via CAT5 up to 300feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 Do they make a USB to CAT5 HUB? I haven't been able to find one. If you are aware of a site please let me know. Thanks for input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 THIS is what I've been looking for. Even Logitec didn't know of such a device. Calling on it today. Thank you very much for input. I love the LOR Forum. Have a great weekend.Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 Well the Rose product, Crystal Link 2.0 USB HUB Extender, will definatley do the trick however it retails for $549. It's truly is more for a commercial application. Tough to swallow for a simple live feed escpecially with a hobbie that is so price sensitive. When they know they've got ya, they know they've got ya. Thank you again for the product info. Good to know it's out there if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 The McGyver in me needs to ask. How did the Rose product differ from what you have now that does not work? Might of fact, if you dont mind me asking. What are you using now to convert from USB to ethernet and back again to USB?Oh and I cant see how it worked if one cable is patch and the other is crossover. When you where putting on one cable at a time in earlier post. But stops working when you put both cable together. I just got to believe that both cables are patch (aka both "A" or "B") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Griswold Posted October 1, 2010 Author Share Posted October 1, 2010 Morning.Yes, both are pach B cables. Bottom line is, after all my deductive reasoning and countless configuring, this logitech webcam 4000 will operate with a Cat5 cable at 100feet and no more. They are purchased in pairs, one usb female and one usb male. No software needed except for the camera.Now if I really wanted to push this further then yes, the ROSE Crystal 2.0 USB HUB extender would be the solution but not at $549.This is really more for a commercial application. I'll make 100 feet work. =) The only option out there I didn't try was utilizing the USB 2.0 extender cable. I've been told with these cables, they are each about 16feet and $20-30, can be daisy chained up to 100m. but again it gets costly. Though I would like to have had a little more distance, this solution works. Hope that helps those looking to provide a live feed. All the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Batzdorf Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Sorry, forgot they were that much. :? Do a google for USB extenders and you might find one in a better price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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