I'd like to put one or perhaps several cheap usb webcams around my feeder in my back yard. I'll be using any of the available webcam recording software.

What I need is a way to get the usb to the computer in the house. I've found a very limited selection of adapters such as these:

http://www.silexamerica.com/products/usb_device_connectivity/sx-3000gb.html

http://www.directron.com/us4a.html

The first is a dongle that looks specifically designed for generic usb devices. The second is iirc mainly meant to be a print server for several printers and we've had mixed success with them at my store.

What I would LIKE to find is:
- supports 2 or more USB devices
- can supply enough power to run something like the cheap little webcams
- uses PoE (power over ethernet) so I don't have to run AC power to it

The last want may be the trick. Anyone seen anything like this? I could try to find a PoE camera (for more $) but then I have to run several ethernet or a switch (and power for the switch, defeating the purpose)

Weatherproof would be a plus. Then need to show up on the USB bus somehow as regularly attached usb cameras.

Got these BANDITS with a wildlife camera last week. (but that's nighttime, a whole different ballgame)

I work for the Department of Redundancy Department