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Buying Guide for Webcams |
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A live cam continuously provides new images that are transmitted in rapid succession.
Some live cams provide streaming video. A still cam updates the image at regular intervals. |
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Types | Visual Features | Technical Features |
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1 - Types
The two mostcommon types of webcams are:
- Plug and Play (PnP)
- Video Capture Devices and Camera
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1.1 - Plug and Play (PnP)
This type of webcam connects to the computer through the USB port making it easy to install. These are available with
extender cords that facilitates placement of the camera at a distance from the computer. The image quality of plug and
play webcams is satisfactory. In comparison to video capture cameras, plug and play cameras have low frame rate.
1.2 - Video Capture Devices and Cameras
This type of webcam consists of a digital video camera and a video capture device. It broadcasts live video. This feature
and a higher frame rate make it far better than plug and play webcams. They are also more expensive than plug and play
webcams.
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2 - Visual Features
2.1 - Resolution
Webcams capture still images as also streaming video. In both cases, the most important aspect is the resolution.
Resolution is the size of the image captured; measured in pixels. Pixels are tiny dots that make up an electronically
produced image. The higher the webcam’s resolution better is the quality of images it captures. The more the pixels
better the resolution. Webcams that are capable of displaying as many pixels as possible are desirable. Most resolutions
would be in the range of 160 x 120 to 460 x 480 pixels, with the first number corresponding to the width and the
second number the height of the image. A webcam with an image resolution of 460 x 480 should contain a total of around
300,000 pixels, which though not good by digital camera standards, should suffice for most Internet uses. The general
advice is to refrain from using high resolution images on the internet as they take long time to upload and download as
well as cause a lot of disturbance in the image reception. The speed of uploading and downloading depends also on the
quality of internet connection as well, be it a dial up or broadband connection.
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2.2 - Lens
The lens of the camera determines the quality of the image. These are adjustable, by rotating the lens one can zoom in and out on the image being captured. The lens is rotated to adjust focus as well.
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2.3 - Color Depth
This feature determines the capacity of the webcam to produce color. An average cam has a 16 bit color depth. More the
color the better the image quality, but this puts added pressure on the processor.
2.4 - Speed
The speed of webcams is measured in FPS (Frames per Second). Frames are individual still images that are stringed together
to produce video play. The higher frames per second the webcam has the better the quality of the image. So a higher FPS
value would make your image appear more life like.
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3 - Technical Features
3.1 - Compatibility & Software
Make sure you get the webcam that is compatible with the operating system of your PC. Webcams usually come bundled with
its own software which varies from cam to cam and depends on the manufacturer. Software is necessary to enhance the images
captured as also for general administration. Most cams are compatible with messaging programs such as MSN Messenger and
Yahoo Messenger.
3.2 - Camera Control
Most webcams have manual focus. Ensuring that the camera comes with a mounting system that provides some steadiness is
essential. Cameras with separate mounting systems allow for vertical and horizontal adjustments. There are some webcams
that come with tripod stands. Very few webcam models allow for automatic adjustability. Though there are webcams that
are sensor based – sensitive to movements – and they are to some extent self adjustable. To make your webcam
sensitive to motion one will have to install motion detector software. Doing this can turn your webcam and computer to a
sophisticated surveillance system. The webcam will then capture any motion it detects.
3.3 - Wireless Cams
Wireless webcams as the name suggest are webcams that connect to the computer without the aid of wires or cables. This gives greater freedom of movement – you can prance around while chatting – doing away with the need to stay close to the computer. |
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3.4 - Internal Memory
Some webcam models have internal memory that could be utilized to store still images and movie clips. They come with an
average 8 Mb of internal memory though there are cams that offer more. Some others come with an image archiving feature
which saves certain or all webcam images and at pre-set intervals in a special directory or archive.
3.5 - Interface
Most webcams have USB interface which allows transfer of data at fairly good speeds. Nowadays webcams are available with
Firewire interface which is considered faster than USB interface.
3.6 - Designs
Webcams are available in different shapes, sizes, designs and colors. These features are superficial and have little
bearing on the performance of the webcam.
3.7 - Warranty
Warranty for most webcams; range between 1 and 2 years.
3.8 - Price
Prices of webcams range from $10 to $600
Capturing yourself on camera and relaying/sharing/hosting images live on the internet has become so easy, that it is
considered child’s play. The distinction between voice chat and video chat is slowly getting blurred. Today voice
chat and video chat complement each other or happen simultaneously. So get a webcam today!
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Webcam links
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Price Ranges
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