Question / Help Freezes with Multiple Webcams

[impaKt]

Houdy guys!

Right now I'm only writing a post because I can't seem to find a way to deal with the problem that I'm having.

I'm trying to set up a new scene with my capture card and 2 webcams. The thing is - everything runs smoothly with capture card + webcam, but as soon as I turn the second webcam on - everything starts freezing. The sound, OBS, everything.

This happens even if I have the 2 webcams on but no capture card.

I've tried switching USB ports (from USB 2.0 to 3.0 and the other way around), reducing the stream's FPS to 30 and resolution to 720p and nothing seems to do the trick so far.

I've attached a log file of the preview and here are my streaming pc specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i7 4790k 4.00GHZ;
• GPU: ASUS Strix GTX 750TI OC 2GB;
• SSD: Kingston HyperX 3k SSD 120GB;
• RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport CL9 1600MHZ DC 8GB;
• Capture Card: AverMedia ExtremeCap U3;
• Splitter: HDMI Splitter HDMI-102F;

I usually try to figure out this kind of stuff for myself before bothering others but I really don't know what else to do, aside from getting another motherboard maybe? (I'm guessing the problem is USB saturation here).

Thanks in advance for the help guys. If there's any more info you need let me know, I'll be checking this thread regularly!

 

[dping]

Houdy guys!

Right now I'm only writing a post because I can't seem to find a way to deal with the problem that I'm having.

I'm trying to set up a new scene with my capture card and 2 webcams. The thing is - everything runs smoothly with capture card + webcam, but as soon as I turn the second webcam on - everything starts freezing. The sound, OBS, everything.

This happens even if I have the 2 webcams on but no capture card.

I've tried switching USB ports (from USB 2.0 to 3.0 and the other way around), reducing the stream's FPS to 30 and resolution to 720p and nothing seems to do the trick so far.

I've attached a log file of the preview and here are my streaming pc specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i7 4790k 4.00GHZ;
• GPU: ASUS Strix GTX 750TI OC 2GB;
• SSD: Kingston HyperX 3k SSD 120GB;
• RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport CL9 1600MHZ DC 8GB;
• Capture Card: AverMedia ExtremeCap U3;
• Splitter: HDMI Splitter HDMI-102F;

I usually try to figure out this kind of stuff for myself before bothering others but I really don't know what else to do, aside from getting another motherboard maybe? (I'm guessing the problem is USB saturation here).

Thanks in advance for the help guys. If there's any more info you need let me know, I'll be checking this thread regularly!

Aero is Disabled

Try enabling aero first

Also note that in device manager, ensure that all three USB devices are using different logical hubs. you can do this by setting "view device by connection". make sure that neither of your webcams or cap card (which should be using a USB 3.0 port anway), are co-located on the same hub.

 

[impaKt]

Hey! First of all thank you for replying! - I was live so I couldn't run any tests during the afternoon.

I tried enabling aero and the results were the same.

I then went to the device manager as you suggested and I think they're using different HUBs but I could be wrong there. Here's a screen of how my device manager looks like:

 

[dping]

Hey! First of all thank you for replying! - I was live so I couldn't run any tests during the afternoon.

I tried enabling aero and the results were the same.

I then went to the device manager as you suggested and I think they're using different HUBs but I could be wrong there. Here's a screen of how my device manager looks like:

It seems they are. I would ensure that you have all drivers since you see there that all your devices are connected to an "unknown" device. possibly update your drivers from the motherboards website. mainly they chipset drivers would be best.

 

[R1CH]

Looks like everything is on one hub from your screenshot.

 

[impaKt]

Yeah I noticed that when I took the screenshot so I downloaded the latest chipset drivers. I gave it a try and both webcams were running smoothly. However, the capture card was no longer recognized so I decided to update the USB3.0 drivers as well.

I restarted the PC and got back to the starting point. This is how the device manager looks like now:

 

[impaKt]

Looks like everything is on one hub from your screenshot.

Oh? How can I fix that then? I've tried swapping ports multiple times but so far no luck. I've tried both USB3.0 and USB2.0 ports too.

 

[dping]

Yeah I noticed that when I took the screenshot so I downloaded the latest chipset drivers. I gave it a try and both webcams were running smoothly. However, the capture card was no longer recognized so I decided to update the USB3.0 drivers as well.

I restarted the PC and got back to the starting point. This is how the device manager looks like now:

starting point as in both cams dont work at the same time? or your cap card still doesn't work? If the latter, unplug and replug the cap card.

I wouldn't even hesitate to do a shutdown, then power back on as well. I've seen that get things working again with these new chipsets.

 

[impaKt]

starting point as in both cams dont work at the same time? or your cap card still doesn't work? If the latter, unplug and replug the cap card.

Starting point as in both cameras work - but OBS starts freezing when I use them both at the same time. I can actually see the videos from both sources with no problems on my end, but I notice that OBS is freezing because the audio graphs start stuttering. If I'm playing a song on Spotify, it starts stuttering as well. This all happens with previews. If I'm broadcasting, everything freezes for the viewer. I can try broadcasting what's going on to a private twitch account and share it with you guys if you think it'll help.

As for the cap card, it's working fine with no problems after the USB3.0 driver update.

EDIT: Going for a complete shutdown now.

 

[impaKt]

Complete shutdown didn't really help but I feel like I must apologize - I was miss informed as to what was happening. Apparently the video isn't crashing or freezing at all - it's just the audio that starts stuttering when I use 2 webcams. Here's what it looks like:

EDIT: I've tried disabling the sound from all 3 sources (capture card + webcams) and it doesn't help at all.

 

[impaKt]

Little status update: I tried running both webcams (outside of OBS) and the same problem occurs.

Do you guys think formatting and installing a fresh version of Win8.1 could help?

 

[dping]

Little status update: I tried running both webcams (outside of OBS) and the same problem occurs.

Do you guys think formatting and installing a fresh version of Win8.1 could help?

I would honestly just play around with USB ports until you get it working.

 

[impaKt]

I would honestly just play around with USB ports until you get it working.

I've tried that. I've also tried re-installing the webcam's drivers to no effect. If I unplug my Razer Seiren (mic + audio card, USB) - everything works though.

 

[dping]

I've tried that. I've also tried re-installing the webcam's drivers to no effect. If I unplug my Razer Seiren (mic + audio card, USB) - everything works though.

So your issue is definitely USB bandwidth, but other than getting a PCIE USB card or getting a device that can plug directly to the USB header on the motherboard, I cant think of any other way to balance out your USB bandwidth.

 

[impaKt]

Well, I ordered a new PCI USB card but I decided to format the Hard Drive anyway and it solved the issue entirely - no need for the PCI Card at all. If I'm not mistaken USB 3.0 ports are managed by the OS? I'm guessing either the drivers didn't work properly or there was some issue with the OS itself (Windows 7). I upgraded to 8.1 and everything's working fine :)

Thank you for your time btw, both of you!

Cheers!