Using USB expansion with PCI to hook up 8 webcams

[murrdpirate]

I need to make an array of eight 720p webcams that take pictures at the same time (much like the Google streetcam). It seems to me that the best way to do this is by using two of these with my eight usb cameras.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3331701&CatId=511&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=je6NUbpObpQ-Dv4LesvnG5fdM7nRMqv0sg

Does this seem like the best approach? Any idea how to set that up (drivers and whatnot)?

 

[danny2000]

You are limited by USB cable length limitations. Do you plan on using these right by each other?

 

[murrdpirate]

Yep, they'll be arranged in a roughly 1 foot diameter circle and can be very close to the computer.

 

[danny2000]

That should work out okay.
As far as taking pics at the same time goes, that would depend on your camera's software. Some have better software than others.
There are some free ones or shareware ones on the web also.

 

[danny2000]

I did a little reading on this and it seems that cams have to be able to support this function as well.

 

[murrdpirate]

How do I tell if the cams support this function?

 

[danny2000]

I'm not sure. Do you have the cams already and did they come with any software other than the drivers?
If you have the cams, what model numbers are they and what, if any, software did they come with?

 

[murrdpirate]

Nope, don't have them yet. Any idea of what I should look for in a webcam? I was looking at some of Microsoft's webcams, here:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/webcams

I appreciate you taking the time to respond. If you have any idea of certain things I should look into, that'd be great, but I don't expect you to do the research for me.