The Basics: Webcams
Webcams are the next best thing to being there in person. What was once a novelty has evolved into a relatively inexpensive way to keep in touch with far-flung family and friends. Webcams are also handy for videoconferencing with business colleagues who work in distant locations. In fact, these units are so versatile that you may wonder why you didn't buy one long ago.Also known as multimedia video cameras, webcams are most often used to transmit video or still images over the internet. They are essentially small digital cameras that can record video, much like a typical camcorder. Don't expect camcorder quality, however, as even the best webcam can't approach the quality of the worst digital camcorder. Webcams can also capture still images, although they're not much better at it than they are at capturing video.
Webcams are capable of performing a number of tasks, and capturing still or video images are only two of them. With an internet connection, you can use a webcam to transmit video or still images. Some webcams include audio capabilities, so you can chat over the internet via instant messaging software such as Yahoo! Instant Messenger, telephony software such as Skype or videoconferencing software such as Microsoft NetMeeting. Most webcams support the most popular instant messaging software, and most current instant messaging software supports video chatting.
In addition to sending video to a chat or videoconferencing partner, you can also use webcams to transmit video or still images to a personal or business website. If you have the right software, you can automatically update a website with new video or still images on a regular basis, and many webcams come bundled with the appropriate programs. There are two basic options for sending images to a website: streaming and non-streaming. Streaming transmits images in real time and is a good choice for live-action feeds. Non-streaming captures still images and then updates the images on the site at regular intervals, such as once a minute.
You can use a webcam to capture still images or to record video (and audio, if you're suitably equipped) to send to friends and family via e-mail. Most webcams save video in AVI format, a standard Windows video format. Still images are saved in JPEG or BMP format, two common graphics file formats that are compatible with many programs.
Some webcams can serve as security devices, allowing you to keep an eye on your home when you're at work or on vacation. To check in visually, all you need is an internet connection. More expensive, full-feature network cameras are also available. If this is your primary reason for considering a webcam, it may be worth paying more for a dedicated security camera that has additional features and capabilities.
These cameras may sound complicated, but they're surprisingly easy to set up and use. Simply plug the webcam into a parallel, USB or FireWire port, depending on the model. (Keep in mind wireless webcams are also available.) A parallel port connection usually slows down other computer activities, but on older computers, it may be the only option.
After you plug in the webcam, install the drivers and any included software. The webcam's installer will walk you through the simple process of configuring the camera. As with many hardware peripherals, it's usually a good idea to check the manufacturer's website to see if the drivers have been updated since the product was packaged. Look for a Downloads or Support section, and then search for the drivers by your webcam's model number.
How To Shop
Webcams range in price from as low as $30 to as high as $150 or more, with most models falling in the $30 to $100 range. Higher-price webcams usually deliver better-quality images and may offer additional features, such as pan and tilt, which give you more freedom of movement while you're chatting and filming.
One of the first considerations when buying a webcam is to ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware and memory requirements. This is particularly important if you have an older computer.
The next thing to consider is your computer's display type. Most webcam bases can fit snugly over an LCD screen or a laptop display, but not all webcams are good at resting on flat surfaces, such as a desk or the top of a CRT display. Webcams tend to be top-heavy, so if you plan to use it with a CRT, it's important to make sure that the base can stably sit on a flat surface. If you will only be using your webcam with a laptop or notebook, you should also consider models designed specifically for laptops. These webcams have a lighter, more compact design than standard models.
Image quality is another factor. A webcam's image quality is largely the result of the frame rate and the camera's resolution, although the quality and capability of the lens also plays an important part. The frame rate is expressed in frames per second (FPS), with common frame rates for webcams at 15 FPS and 30 FPS. Higher frame rates deliver better video quality with less image flicker, although a higher frame rate can also take longer to transmit across an internet connection. Keep in mind that the speed of your internet connection, as well as current internet traffic, also affects transmission. More expensive webcams usually provide better still and video images, and they also usually perform better in low-light situations.
Resolution is measured in pixels, and the higher the resolution, the better the image quality. Common webcam resolutions are 320X240 and 640X480. Webcams can typically capture still images at up to 1.3 megapixels, which sounds more impressive than it really is. The resolution is usually achieved via software manipulation, so images aren't as sharp or as clear as you might expect them to be.
Some multimedia video cameras support color, while others are monochrome only. If you're going to use a webcam to chat with family or to save video for later use, then color is an important consideration. Monochrome still and video images are fine for videoconferencing, for security purposes, or for some website uses.
Glass lenses provide better image quality than plastic lenses. Focusing may be automatic or manual. Some manual focus rings are easier to adjust than others, so it's well worth your time to try them out at an electronics or computer hardware store.
Although many multimedia video cameras support audio, they don't always include a microphone. Some have an integrated microphone, while others use a headset. The headset provides freedom of movement, but many individuals find it more cumbersome than a built-in microphone. The quality of supplied microphones is often poor, but you can always spring for a better microphone if audio quality is a major issue.
Some multimedia video cameras include such a generous software bundle that the camera itself is almost an afterthought. The bundle may include: basic photo editing software, basic video creation and editing software, remote monitoring/motion-detection/time-lapse video capture software, collage or photo album creation software, and software for creating and sending video e-mail.
