Thread: HELP - What do i need to know about Webcams

Thanks very much for asking the question, David.

I am looking forward to any information given us.

A good description of most needed info can be read here:
Webcam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
my experience is that webcam is wonderful for access to remote family/friends if they have a similar hook-up. The hardware is relatively cheap and one should buy the VERY BEST affordable otherwise picture colour and sharpness suffers. Good lighting is also a requirement sometimes forgotten - I have a lamp atop my PC faced toward me, and what is visable in the background might need thought (I started with a mirror behind me and it confused the issue a lot).
Hope this little bit helps.

soth

David, I am pretty sure I have a Logitech cam around here somewhere that hasn't been used, I can go fish for it if you are interested.

If you are planning to use Skype, their website lists webcams/mics which have been tested and approved for use with Skype.

Several webcams also have a "Skype approval" badge/logo/thingy on the packaging, which should indicate that they work well with Skype.

I've got a Logitech (model forgotten) which worked wonderfully when the wife spoke for hours with an old friend in London, via Skype, for no cost!

Cheers,
Andrew

There was a thread a little while ago about 'Skypeing'. It might have some useful to help you.

I have a Microsoft Live Cam and it works very well. Has built in mic. I think from memory it was around the $70 mark but can't remember for sure. Logitec are good, I had one for a few years before I got my new one. The person you may be talking to on Skype doesn't need to have a camera but they can still see you if you make a video call but you wont be able to see them of course.

Skype will work with any webcam that you can get working on your computer (Skype doesn't 'talk' directly to the webcam, it talks to your computer, which talks to the webcam). The 'Skype Ready' stuff is just marketing fluff.

As for how much to spend, it depends on...how much you want to spend. If you feel happy paying $120 for a roughly 30% improvement over a $30 webcam, feel free to spend that much.

Personally, I paid $20 for mine, and it works just fine as a cheap video communications tool.

Adequate light, and maybe rotating the lens in its barrel to change the focus point are the only two things you need to worry about.

Some of the 'video-capable' digital cams have the ability to be connected to your PC; often you can use these as webcams, too. (note that you won't get all that great a picture, though - typically you are limited to a 640x480 image size for video, but more often less, depending on the application).

Webcams will also be limited by your bandwidth, so if you are on dial-up, it'll be more like a slideshow than a video stream.

Example - first image taken with cheapie webcam; second taken with Canon A610 (5 megapixel) and resized down to the same pixel dimensions....there's not too much image quality difference, despite a few hundred dollars worth of hardware difference.

Bottom line. Buy a cheapie, get it working, see if you want/need/have bandwidth for a better one.

We've been skyping for a few years now, with people around the world.

Logitech make some of the best webcams around. Their software will also help improve the picture. The best one I've used is the Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000, which I bought on Ebay a couple of years ago for about $100. Bought three more since then for the rest of the family around the world.

The tip above about lighting is really important. The more light on your face, and the darker the background behind you, the better.

Also, both ends of the call should be using the same version of Skype. Turn off anything else which uses the net, email etc.

Most webcams, and many computers come with built in microphones, which are ok for my kids to talk to the grandparents for a brief chat, but if you want to talk for long, get a headset with mic. The one I bought most recently has a noise cancelling mic which reduces the amount of background noise the mic picks up, a big improvement. You really want at least one end of the conversation using a headset, or the feedback and echo are terrible.

Final point, the better your computer, the better your call will be, processing speed, AV cards, and above all, internet connection speed.

Have fun - Skype changed my life.

You can talk on a phone in the nud, but just be careful of what you are doing when you're sitting in front of the 'puter if you have a webcam.

Thanks everyone - what a wealth of knowledge this place is.

Great place to be.

Greg will probably catch up with you at GJ's BBQ

Waldo good point to remember aye

Cheers

Originally Posted by rhancock

You really want at least one end of the conversation using a headset, or the feedback and echo are terrible..

There should be a setting in your mic set up to avoid this happening, I know there is on mine. There may also be a setting in Skype that takes care of this problem.

Munruben, I've tried those settings and never been satisfied. I should point out that I can easily spend an hour on Skype to one of my parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, cousins etc on the other side of the world, so I really want phone quality sound, which I only get with a headset, ideally at both ends.

I also use Skype Out which is a paid service ($16 per month) which allows me to use Skype on my home phone, or mobile, or indeed any Australian phone, to make unlimited overseas calls for the cost of a local call.

Heads up - webcams on special at The Reject Shop - $12.

Page 8 of their current catalogue - The Reject Shop - Home

I have a Logitec headset with built in microphone
and it works quite well.

My two Skype "mates", Munruben and Wheelinaround,
discouraged me from getting the webcam as they
"did not want to see my ugly face". Good friends eh

Allan