Can I make a Wi-Fi network with my laptop and no router?

Factual Questions
1

I need to make a small, ad-hoc network to link 4 devices:

My laptop
Two GoPro HD Hero 2 cameras with Wi-Fi BacPacs
A Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

The GoPros each can supply a WiFi signal the Tab 2 can link to. I’ve tried that, and it works fine for one. Or they can join a Wi-Fi network. I need that because I want to see both cameras on the Tab 2. The laptop will be there also, so I want to use it to produce a Wi-Fi network and link the cameras and Tab 2 to it.

Is there software to do that? I could carry a router, but I really don’t want yet another thing to carry.

2

You can, there is software to make your computer’s wireless adapter act as a router. Two I can think of are Connectify and MaryFi. They don’t work with all adapters, though, but you can give it a try.

3

This might also be an optionand would be the simplest solution.

More here

4

I’ll try Manduck’s solution first, mostly because it gives the option of having one less object to keep track of. Thanks!

5

Connectify is working well on my HP Elitebook. Sadly, the promised network ability of the GoPro HD Hero 2s and the associated Android control application is still “coming soon”.

I hope they deliver it before the next School of Rock season in a couple of months.

6

I did this for a couple of years at home: set up an ad-hoc network with an older laptop connnected to the phone line via a cable.
I wouldn’t vouch for the security though.
The signal wasn’t nearly as strong as a router.
Routers are cheap.

It was easy – as easy as ad-hoc networks ever are. But I wouldn’t do it again.

7

I have a small business shooting concert videos, and I only need for my GoPro HD Hero 2 cameras to reach my laptop, which is less than 50 feet away. And for my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 to see the laptop as well.

Everything in my kit either has to be as small and light was possible, or it has to do double duty. The Tab 2 doubles to show video clips after I’ve set up and before the shoot. The laptop doubles for recording the video from the main camera. The tiny router is tiny, but my wife is quite familiar with my obsessive need to make sure I haven’t left anything behind at the venue, and one fewer expensive, tiny object, the better.

8

Then it sounds like what you are attempting is a good idea. IOW you don’t need internet access when on the road. You just need your stuff to talk to each other. And you want to avoid unnecessary hardware.

You don’t need any additional software as far as I am aware. I did it using Vista. It worked fine. Third party software may be more user-friendly or secure. Or it may be another unnecessary hassle.
ETA speed may be an issue for relaying video. That may require a dedicated router.

9

The output from the cameras is delayed by 3-4 seconds. The cameras are fixed, and the only reason I’ll look at the camera video in this case is to aim them to before the concert, to start them recording, then to make sure they haven’t gotten unplugged or knocked to the stage. I have two of them, one that will be clamped to a cymbal stand, the other at the end of the keyboard stand.

I edited (but didn’t shoot) this video. There are three GoPro HD Heros used in this shoot - one from between the toms, one overhead the second drum kit and the third at the end of the keyboard.