USB to ethernet adapter

[capeweather]

Soon I will be running multiple webcams on my site and am in need of some USB to ethernet adapters. The reason is, I can only run 15' max of USB cable to my cams and need to extend it another 100' or so. From some of the research I've done the adapter will allow up to 150' which would work perfect incase I wanted to place my cams in a different location. I'm curious if any of you have purchased these and where I can get a decent price. I've seen them range from $50 to $100 bucks and thats just a little steep for me to pay since my cams were purchased for  less.  

[SLOweather]

Are you looking for something that you can plug a USB camera into, and get Ethernet out the other side?

I'm not sure that is available. The USB-Ethernet adapters I've seen are for adapting a PC USB port to Ethernet, and require drivers on the PC.

There are USB-Ethernet Print Servers which turn a USB printer into a network printer, but I don't think a camera would work over one of those, at least not without a lot of hacking.

OTOH, if you are looking for USB extenders that use CAT5 cable, those are available, but only use the cable as the transmission medium, not being "Ethernet". And, I think you have the price range about right.

[capeweather]

My mistake. I didnt put the right term in. You are right...USB extender with Cat 5. This is what I'm looking for but for a little less cash...

http://www.kvms.com/usb-extender.asp

[Anole]

I use the Belkin USB 10/100 Ethernet Adapter on PCs I'm working on that don't have NIC already installed in them. Works great and the price is right. Usually can be found for less than $30.

[capeweather]

Thanks Larry. Does this include a receiver as well? Most I've seen have the transmitter and receiver to be able to reconnect to the USB device on the other end. If it does, I'm all in.  

[Anole]

No it doesn't. I guess I didn't actually pay much attention to what you were asking about.  A bit brain dead today. Too much scotch last night.

[capeweather]

hehe Larry, its ok. I felt that way Tuesday morning. Put down a few to many beers Monday. Speakin of a drink, I need to come out to the waterfront sometime. It's been a while since I've been out to SJC. I'll keep on lookin around for these things, I'm sure I'll find one around. Maybe ebay.....

 

[ncpilot]

I've been trying to come up with a similar solution, but my searches were fairly fruitless.

Also, wouldn't that type of adaptor have to provide power? Afterall, the camera is being powered by the USB connection to start with. Don't remember the specs offhand for USB voltages, but you'd be looking to send that low voltage (2-5V?) over 100' or so. And I don't think you'll get that voltage directly from a cat5 network connection to your router (or computer)--can you? (again, not so sure about specs right now).

After the expense, you might be getting closer to the cost of an actual cheap network camera...

I see in my new search that indeed these are powered units... cheapest does look to be about $100...

Say... even though you've already got those cameras, why not jump in and buy some bullet cams and something like a http://www.stardot-tech.com/express6/index.html Stardot video server? I'll help you spend your money...

[capeweather]

I'm hoping it will power the cams from the long runs and the extra impedence in the cables. It should work that's why I just want to get one for now and try it. The transmit and receiver are also powered via the usb, there are no external sources which is nice. The cams I have are quite nice and produce a crisp image during the day and fantastic at night (not that night matters). They are 3com homeconnect webcams and have a CCD lens. I had an IP camera that had a cmos lens and after a while the image looked like somebody rubbed oil on it.     Anyhow, if you want to get an idea of what I'm doing you can take a look at Ricks site at lorickweather.net. Thats kind of what I'm shooting for and hope to have this project complete sometime soon.

http://www.lorickweather.net/lorickam.htm

[ncpilot]

Have you visited?:

http://www.skycrane-rc.com

Check out his camera setup...

Maybe a bit more than you want to do...

I've been considering a combo of weather cams and a home video security setup...and have been doing a lot of reading and research...

Only my opinion of course, but even though you've already got some cameras laying around, you might want to consider going the route of a video input card (DVR type card) and multiple bullet cams.

If you come up with a USB-Cat5 solution, you'll still have to run wires from each cam to the computer, or a hub, or something... same as if you use bullet cams. And then there's the cost of a converter for each camera. For non-security purposes, you can get some good color cameras for less than $100 each (lower resolution and light sensitivity), bullet weather proof for outside use.

With a computer card, you'll most likely have a more robust system with more options for viewing the cameras.

The Avermedia card seems to be ok, among some others for "lower end" applications (as compared to higher end security apps)... check out:
http://www.cctvforum.com  -- lot's of good info, although they tend to skew towards the higher end setups...

Just some ideas...

[jlberry]

Similar problem: I have a Vantage Vue with USB data logger. I would like to know if anyone has used a usb-to-ethernet adapter to connect directly to a router, bypassing the need for a PC. I know some of these devices come with drivers so maybe....

I'm not a techno guy so this may be entirely out of reason. Appreciate any help.

[SLOweather]

The Davis WeatherLinks (USB or Serial) don't DO anything but log data unless there is a computer or similar connected to them to ask them for data. A USB-Ethernet adapter won't do you any good unless there is a computer connected to the router, with some sort of USB or serial virtual port on it to query the station and use the data.

It can be done. I've used serial over Ethernet to connect to a VP2 4 miles away via wireless, but it still needed a computer.

Similar problem: I have a Vantage Vue with USB data logger. I would like to know if anyone has used a usb-to-ethernet adapter to connect directly to a router, bypassing the need for a PC. I know some of these devices come with drivers so maybe....

I'm not a techno guy so this may be entirely out of reason. Appreciate any help.

[Arthurhh]

I have had signigficant good results from these
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-cable-via-rj45-extender-set-power-boost-up-to-150-feet-6640
and the price is right.

I am running a Logitech 9000 at about 100ft using them