Use two USB Cameras?

[jager_mister56]

Hi, So i've been multi streaming, one to kick and the other to tiktok, the problem I have is not been able to use 1 cam for both! Unless I use Virtual Cam. But I have 2 cameras. But I can't seem to use the two USB cameras at once. Anyone able to help me on that?

 

[qhobbes]

What exactly happens when you try to use 2?

Please post a log with your issue! Here's how...

OBS Studio creates a log file each time you run it which contains very useful diagnostic information. Without a log file, it's much harder for any support volunteers to figure out problems and your post may be ignored. To upload a log file, go to the Help menu > Log Files > Upload Last Log...

obsproject.com

 

[AaronD]

But I can't seem to use the two USB cameras at once.

If they're good quality, then you probably can't use more than one per USB controller, just because of the amount of raw data for each one.

Note that that's per *controller*, not per port! A lot of things have just one or two controllers, and internal hubs to connect all the ports. Same problem there as with external hubs, and in fact the system can't tell the difference.

If they're cheap cameras or captures, then you might get away with multiples, but then you have other problems related to them being cheap...

...multi streaming, one to kick and the other to tiktok...1 cam for both...

Have you seen this?:

Aitum Multistream

Stop paying hefty bills and start using Aitum Multistream! Aitum Multistream allows you to stream everywhere from a single instance of OBS.Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, anywhere and everywhere you want. If you use Aitum Vertical, great news! Aitum...

obsproject.com

Produce one stream in one instance of OBS, and then send it to multiple destinations.

Or this?:

Restreamer

Live video streaming on your website without a streaming provider. Latest release v0.6.8

datarhei.github.io

Produce one stream in one instance of OBS, send it only to that, and then it copies the stream to everywhere.

In both of those cases, your internet connection has to support all of your streams separately and simultaneously. Not all can do that. If yours can't, then there are cloud-based restreamers too, that of course charge you to use their servers, but they allow you to send one stream through your connection to them, and then *they* copy it to everywhere that you set up.

 

[AaronD]

I can't seem to use the two USB cameras at once.

Are they two copies of the same thing?

USB is supposed to have a unique serial number for every device that would otherwise be identical. But if that really is the only difference, then it's a REALLY BIG DEAL for the manufacturing cost, to have them *entirely* identical, even though it's a violation of the USB spec to do that.

If you only have one, then nobody notices. But as soon as you have multiple, it can become a problem.

OBS has nothing to do with that. If that is indeed the problem, then it's entirely in the operating system, that can't figure out what to do with two completely identical devices that it's somehow supposed to tell apart.

---

Another part of your frustration could be that you're trying to use separate instances of OBS for each stream, and Windows STILL enforces exclusive access to video sources. That was done originally for performance reasons, but performance has improved enough (a long time ago, actually) that it's not needed anymore. Nevertheless, Windoze *still* hasn't gotten that memo, even today.

So only one thing can use each camera. One instance of OBS, or one instance of Zoom, or whatever, but only one thing at a time. That one thing has to let go before the next one can grab it, so even if you're not showing it, OBS can still hog it because it intentionally hangs onto everything all the time until it closes.

Other operating systems, like Linux, don't have that exclusivity, and it's NICE!!!

 

[jager_mister56]

Are they two copies of the same thing?

USB is supposed to have a unique serial number for every device that would otherwise be identical. But if that really is the only difference, then it's a REALLY BIG DEAL for the manufacturing cost, to have them *entirely* identical, even though it's a violation of the USB spec to do that.

If you only have one, then nobody notices. But as soon as you have multiple, it can become a problem.

OBS has nothing to do with that. If that is indeed the problem, then it's entirely in the operating system, that can't figure out what to do with two completely identical devices that it's somehow supposed to tell apart.

---

Another part of your frustration could be that you're trying to use separate instances of OBS for each stream, and Windows STILL enforces exclusive access to video sources. That was done originally for performance reasons, but performance has improved enough (a long time ago, actually) that it's not needed anymore. Nevertheless, Windoze *still* hasn't gotten that memo, even today.

So only one thing can use each camera. One instance of OBS, or one instance of Zoom, or whatever, but only one thing at a time. That one thing has to let go before the next one can grab it, so even if you're not showing it, OBS can still hog it because it intentionally hangs onto everything all the time until it closes.

Other operating systems, like Linux, don't have that exclusivity, and it's NICE!!!

No they are completely different brand cameras.
I've tried using different USB ports.

I know it's not a OBS issue and more a windows issue. Even if I try adding two cameras within OBS it won't allow. Which ever camera I put in first will work while the second won't give a image but does detect the camera.

 

[jager_mister56]

If they're good quality, then you probably can't use more than one per USB controller, just because of the amount of raw data for each one.

Note that that's per *controller*, not per port! A lot of things have just one or two controllers, and internal hubs to connect all the ports. Same problem there as with external hubs, and in fact the system can't tell the difference.

If they're cheap cameras or captures, then you might get away with multiples, but then you have other problems related to them being cheap...


Have you seen this?:

Aitum Multistream

Stop paying hefty bills and start using Aitum Multistream! Aitum Multistream allows you to stream everywhere from a single instance of OBS.Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, anywhere and everywhere you want. If you use Aitum Vertical, great news! Aitum...

obsproject.com

Produce one stream in one instance of OBS, and then send it to multiple destinations.

Or this?:

Restreamer

Live video streaming on your website without a streaming provider. Latest release v0.6.8

datarhei.github.io

Produce one stream in one instance of OBS, send it only to that, and then it copies the stream to everywhere.

In both of those cases, your internet connection has to support all of your streams separately and simultaneously. Not all can do that. If yours can't, then there are cloud-based restreamers too, that of course charge you to use their servers, but they allow you to send one stream through your connection to them, and then *they* copy it to everywhere that you set up.

One camera is good and the other is cheap. I think the issue maybe a power issue and using the same bus.

Unfortunately you can use any restream or the vertical plug in anymore for tiktok as tiktok has it's own studio now and no stream key.

I think I might need a PCi E card for it to separate the two from each other maybe. However my problem is I only have 1 PCi e slot and obviously I need that for my 4070 super graphics card

 

[jager_mister56]

So I have resolved the issue. I had to use the front panel USB Ports - I tried one but it was only USB 2.0 But I switched it to the front USB 3.0 and the other cam on the back USB 3.0 and they both work now.

Thank you all for your input

 

[AaronD]

So I have resolved the issue. I had to use the front panel USB Ports - I tried one but it was only USB 2.0 But I switched it to the front USB 3.0 and the other cam on the back USB 3.0 and they both work now.

Thank you all for your input

Sounds like the front and back ports are on different controllers then. Definitely possible.

One camera per controller works, but multiple cameras on the same controller doesn't work.