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Accessing Multiple USB Cameras That Have the Same Name

Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras
Primary Software Version: 1.0
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A

Problem:
I am using NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras, and my program needs to access multiple cameras. My cameras are exactly the same model, so the IMAQ USB Enumerate Cameras VI returns an array whose elements contain the same exact camera name. When I use this camera name with the IMAQ USB Init and acquisition functions, my VI can only acquire images from one of the cameras, and I am never able to acquire images from any of the other cameras.

Solution:
The problem lies with the USB camera manufacturer's driver.  Some USB camera drivers will change each camera name to a unique name (i.e. camera name #1 and camera name #2) if there is more than one camera plugged in.  If this is the case, the NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras driver will be able to access each USB camera because each camera will have a unique name, however images cannot be acquired simultaneously from both cameras.

Unfortunately, some USB camera drivers do not offer this functionality, so they will return the same exact name for each camera even if multiple cameras are plugged in. If this is the case, the only workarounds are to either use two different USB camera models or use a USB camera whose driver will give a unique name for each camera.

Related Links:
NI Developer Zone: NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras
KnowledgeBase 3HI7698M: What Cameras are Supported by the NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras Driver?
Product Manuals: NI-IMAQ for USB Cameras User Guide

Attachments:





Report Date: 05/09/2007
Last Updated: 05/02/2008
Document ID: 498DNTS4

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