Connect 4 webcams to a USB HUB

Question

I have a USB2.0 hub with 4 ports connected to my computer. Can I connect 4 USB cameras to this hub at the same time?

Thanks

Solution

That depends on the resolution (ie output) of the USB cameras and if you are going to be using them simultaneously, but yes, this is quite practical.

Comments

[LPChip]

Sorry but the most important part is missing. For that reason, I gave this a -1. See my answer.

[Louis Parkin]

And as long as the combined data stream of the 4 cameras don't exceed the available bandwidth limit of the usb host controller that this hub is connected to. The question of whether or not the hub is powered, and whether or not the cameras exceed the bandwidth for that hub becomes moot if this hub is not the only device connected to the host controller. A single host controller will only have 480 megabits per second available. So plug this hub with four cameras, and then a flashdisk or external drive into another port on the same controller... game over.

[davidgo]

You raise a valid point about power, but the way you went about doing it is dickish. I put to you that my answer is correct, albeit incomplete. Many (most?) hubs are powered,and even if they are not, depending on the camera and usage it will still work provided you are not using them simultanously.