Four Webcams - One PC

[elysium00]

I have a PC set up in a classroom with three Logitech C920 webcams positioned with one at the lectern with an up close view of the instructor, another facing the students and a third facing the instructor near the rear of the room.

Is there an easy way to switch between the three besides manually plugging and unplugging each camera?

I don't see a way to switch cameras through the software below.

Primary Uses:
- Skype
- Google Hangouts
- Logitech software

Any suggestions?

 

[Tom Tancredi]

You would need to invest in specializing software either available to Distance Learning Educators or Adult Industry workers (they do the same setup your describing for those same 'views'). In both cases it is using 'Web Video Broadcasting' software (this would be the keywords). This software is a simplier version of what TV Studios and Film Maker Studios do on your PC, to switch between different 'streams' (stream being the source video from one camera as compared to another) in realtime, and able to take multiple streams and record them to the same 'file' for later editing and replay.

I would look in your teacher resources as they would provide a significant discount as compared to 'google' searches (which will probably tie back to most Adult Sites that do the same work, just warning you). Further normal 'Video Broadcasting' software I previously seen was $499-$4999 (depending on the sophistication) because of the 'hot' market for 'at home broadcasting' (aka Adult home webcam jobs), and I would use the trial software first before buying into one if possible.

 

[elysium00]

Thanks Tom, do you have any recommendation on a hardware solution that allows us to switch cameras? Such as a USB switch? Thank you for the quick reply.

You would need to invest in specializing software either available to Distance Learning Educators or Adult Industry workers (they do the same setup your describing for those same 'views'). In both cases it is using 'Web Video Broadcasting' software (this would be the keywords). This software is a simplier version of what TV Studios and Film Maker Studios do on your PC, to switch between different 'streams' (stream being the source video from one camera as compared to another) in realtime, and able to take multiple streams and record them to the same 'file' for later editing and replay.

I would look in your teacher resources as they would provide a significant discount as compared to 'google' searches (which will probably tie back to most Adult Sites that do the same work, just warning you). Further normal 'Video Broadcasting' software I previously seen was $499-$4999 (depending on the sophistication) because of the 'hot' market for 'at home broadcasting' (aka Adult home webcam jobs), and I would use the trial software first before buying into one if possible.

 

[Tom Tancredi]

There is no 'hardware switch like a USB', as I said it is software based and called Web Video Broadcasting software. You take different streams (cameras) and manage / change / record / edit 'in real time' or record to edit later from all streams at the same time for 'rebroadcast'.