webcam

Hello all

I hope this is the right forum-location to vent this issue.

I want to buy a webcam but there are many choices out there.
what should I be really looking into.Personally I want a good quality webcam and which are the factors I need to look into [ pixel ?]


also since I''m already here,one concept query;-
I buy the webcam- install the software- and plug it into the PC.
The other party[remote] also does the same on his/her side.
the question:- how do we connect to see each other
is it a connection to a common server, is it typing in each other's IP, etc.?

as I said earlier, if this is not the right place for this query, please remove it
and otherwise ,thanks for any information.

 

I can recommend some very good "webcams" though, the question I have is, how much do you want to spend. Do you have a network? What about connection speed, I.E. dial-up or broad-band (cable or DSL)?

For the software, most instant messengers have the ability to use your webcam.

 

I would thinking of anything between 20 and 80 dollars.

No I do not have a network, just a stand alone PC at home and the idea is to connect to friends/Relations who also have stand alone PCs at home.
I have cable speed internet :-
1024 kbps downstream and 256 kbps upstream

so I would appreciate some thoughts here.

about the fact that most instant messengers have the ability to use
webcams, do you have a good one in mind (no windows one please )
Is 'skype' compatible ?

Thanks for any information.

 

What do you mean no windows one? Are you useing linux?

What OS are you using?

 

sorry for getting you on the wrong foot....I 'm on XP(SP2)
I was assuming that 'windows messenger' would be an option, but that's the one I would whole heartedly like to avoid.

 

I believe both yahoo messenger and aol instant messenger have webcam features.

For a webcam, I'd go with logitech. I have an ancient logitech webcam that was using first gen USB and it still works great.

So, I'd go with logitech, some of the newer ones have motion detection, which I believe is in the $80 range.

 

Thanks
so would you have any thoughts on pixelcontents etc . ?
and what would be the term 'motion detection' hint at , apart from the obvious ?

 

If picture quality is at the top of your list go with a webcam that has a CCD sensor (same as in digital cameras). These webcams are more expensive than the 'lower quality' CMOS sensor ones.

As regards connection; to have a video conversation with someone else most people would use msn messenger or the like.

Webcams fall into 2 main categories, usb or tcp/ip. With usb you usually install software and plug the hw in as directed. TCP/IP require you to have a router and the webcam will be assigned a LAN IP address. Connection is then by way of an internet address. TCP/IP webcams are more expensive.

I would suggest that for your needs that you stick with a usb 'flavour'. Everyone has their prefered make. I recently bought one for my daughter Creative Live Pro!. It's a CMOS sensor. Picture quality is not as grainy as others. Other reason I like Creative's offering is that with Logitech you have to install the whole prog and it gets everywhere. With Creative you can install the driver (5mb), make sure all is working well and then install creative webcam centre. This will take snapshots and video fotage. Plus there are other progs that I have not used.

Hope this is enough info

Cheers

Edit: motion detector is the webcam's software tracking your face as you move. The webcam can get confused though so don't expect too much.

 

Thanks for that in-details update.
Yes, I had to google a liitle bit before I came to know what 'motion detection' really meant

I think I know now what I need to know, and this afternoon I am hopping to the nearby shop with a little more knowledge than the salesman there, would require me to have.

Thank you !