More than 2 webcams on Windows

Well, for the project I envisioned I have MY software and want to attach 4 webcams to the PC. I dug deep down into development only to find out that...

Windows won't work with more than 2 webcams?!

Is there a way around that problem?

Information about my configuration:

  • Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)
  • Relevant applications running in x86 mode
  • Canyon or Prestigion 2Mpix web cam (running in 640x480 resolution at 30 FPS)

Each of your webcams produces 35MB/s RGB stream saturating USB2 Consequentially 2Mpx is available only in YUV mode (packaging 32 bits into 6 )


Personally I have no issue running more than 2 cameras from a Linux box, via zoneMinder, but the Windows equivalent: iSpyConnect, states you should be able to run 4 cameras at 320 x 240, on a windows box with 2GB ram, see: http://www.ispyconnect.com/userguide.aspx


I have had the same issue while working on a java image processing project. I was using windows 7 professional 64 bit. I could not capture from more than two video devices when at 640X480 resolution using OpenIMAJ java library.

I was able to add an additional camera when I reduced the resolution to 320X240. I presume this is a hardware limitation on the system as I could not find any other reason for the exception.

Do correct me if I am wrong...