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   Question    posted to Computer Setup & Network Specialists on 10/14/07 03:44 PM, Pomona, NY 10970
I am interested in purchasing 3 web cams. 2 for window operating systems and one for a macintosh computer. I want to communicate with each, which are in  different locations. Can this be done, and if so,  what kind of web cam is the best for each of the three computers?
Specialist Answer 1 of 4
   Answered By     Simply Computers, 10/14/07 09:42 PM
Simply Computers
PO Box 403
Pleasantville, NY 10570
914-470-0546
Email Company
View Business Info

It all depends...

1) Which Windows operating system are you running, and how old are both machines? 
2) Same questions for the Mac
3) What is your budget for purchasing cameras?
4) Yes, everything can be setup to talk to each other. 

You can contact me directly:
Brian.Drew@PCsMadeSimple.com
Office: 914-470-0546 
Cell: 914-672-9992
www.PCsMadeSimple.com

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Specialist Answer 2 of 4
   Answered By     Computer Magic Solutions, LLC, 10/14/07 11:18 PM
Computer Magic Solutions, LLC
103 Wiltshire Road
D-13
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-713-4542
Email Company
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Dear Pomona NY,

I recieved your request for "I am interested in purchasing 3 web cams. 2 for window operating systems and one for a macintosh computer. I want to communicate with each, which are in  different locations. Can this be done, and if so,  what kind of web cam is the best for each of the three computers? "

I can assist you with finding, purposing, installing, and configuring these webcams for your 2 PC and MAC.

Feel free to contact me when you are ready to procceed with this requestion.

Please mention ZOOMNIA when calling.
(914) 713 - 4542
info@computermagicsolutions.com
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Specialist Answer 3 of 4
   Answered By     FRESH PERSPECTIVES INCORPORATED, 10/15/07 08:50 AM
FRESH PERSPECTIVES INCORPORATED
37 PLUMBROOK RD
KATONAH, NY 10536
914-244-3519
zoomnia@imagestop.com
View Business Info
You sound like you may be somewhat of a do-it-yourselfer so I'm going to answer the question with that assumption in mind.

Panasonic has a new breed of network based cameras (advertised as "IP" or "TCP/IP" cameras) that can simply be plugged into the home or business network(s) at each location, no computer required. Some of the series even offer wireless connectivity if your location has wireless internet. The series you would look at is the "BL" "PetCam" series which starts at $100 per camera and goes up to around $400 per camera for remote pan/tilt capabilities.

By being network based, you can address each camera from anywhere in the world, regardless of whether the computer is on. If you local network router supports "univeral plus and play" (UPnP) the camera will configure the router for you so that you can easily view the cameras from an off-site location without knowing how to do specialized network configuring .
If you're looking to video conference between the locations you can still use the network cameras and could theoretically see all cameras at once from any given location, something you cannot do easily with a traditional computer-based webcam.

If you must have a PC/Mac attached solution there are several variables that need to be addressed including the OS version on the PCs and the Mac; the amount of RAM on each machine; the software that may already be installed for video conferencing on each machine (for example, the Mac may have iChat installed, the PCs may require you purchase a camera with "bundled" software; will you be using a chat/IM service (Skype, AIM, Yahoo); do you plan to leave the machines in "available mode" all the time; do the machines have a free USB (or firewire for Mac) port?

Some of the better desktop webcams come from Logitech. For comparison sake, the Logitech cameras range from $30-140 depending upon features. To use their cameras on a Mac requires a third-party driver which can be bought from ioexperts ($20) or can be had for free from an "open source" project called webcam-osx on sourceforge. Apple no longer makes (but you can still buy on sites like Amazon) an external camera called the iSight which does not require any third-party drivers. Cost for the Apple solution is over $200. The computer-attached solution requires more information than you've provided to be able to offer the easiest implementation of it.

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Specialist Answer 4 of 4
   Answered By     Barbara A Niles The Mac & PC Trainers, 10/16/07 08:50 AM
Barbara A Niles The Mac & PC Trainers
333 Mamaroneck Ave
#281
White Plains, NY 10605
914-761-3911
Email Company
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I need some more information. What operating systems specifically, what software are you using to communicate... Please contact us directly. Kimberly Ware The Mac & PC Trainers 888-512-1929
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