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Webcams
Webcams are small compact electronic video cameras that can connect to your computer or notebook/laptop. The webcam device basically consists of a fixed focus lens that can be used to record video and or images. Ideally it will be a webcam with microphone so that you can faciliate images and sound for transmission or recording.
What can a webcam be used for?
A webcam can be used for recording video clips of yourself (or what ever you point your webcam at).
A webcam can be used for webcam chat, that is video chat with another person using software such as windows live messenger or yahoo messenger. Webcam chats allow you to see the person you are chatting to in video or a series of images (with sound if your webcams have microphones).
Webcams can also be used for webcam conferencing (or video conferencing) where you can video chat to more than one person at a time over the Internet.
Webcams can be used for streaming video and or images via an online server for distribution on the Internet.
Webcams have also been known to be used for video surveillance or webcam security where you can keep remotely keep an eye on your house / business or another room (baby sleeping / childrens play area).
What do I look for when buying a webcam?
If you want to buy a webcam you should consider:
What is the resolution of the video or images... ideally you would want a webcam that can produce video at 640x480 pixels or better.
How does the webcam connect to my computer.. most webcams come as a USB webcam which means that they connect to your computer via a USB cable. Most computers will be able to support a USB webcam and also this is ideal for a notebook webcam. However, you should check how the webcam connects to your computer and make sure your computer has the right socket for it. You can also get a wireless webcam that can transmit images wirelessly to your computer from short distance remote locations, for this you need the transmission hardware and the receiver hardware to make the task fully possible.
Does the webcam have software for my computer Operating System (OS).. You need to make sure that the webcam comes with the software (webcam drivers) required to make your webcam funtion with your particular OS (Windows / Mac / Linux etc). Without the correct drivers for your webcam and operating system your webcam may not function or funtion fully.
Does the webcam have a microphone built in.. Ideally you would aim for a video webcam with microphone built in so that you can easily video webchat with all of the video and audio hardware neccessary to do so. If your webcam does not have a microphone built in then a standard microphone plugged into your computer may also be supported by webcam chat software etc.
Does the webcam do what you need it to do.. If you have a very specific needs, such as serving up live video or webcam snapshots from a webserver then make sure that the webcams that you are looking at can accomplish this task or have the software and hardware neccessary to do the job required.
Where will your put your webcam.. Your new webcam needs to ideally be able to be situated in front of you when you sit at your computer if you are to be using it for webchat or video conferencing. If you're using a notebook webcam then you should check as to whether your webcam has a clip that enables you to clip the notebook webcam onto your notebook.
Popular Webcams
Most people buy webcams from brands that they know and trust, such as a Creative webcam, Logitech webcam or Microsoft webcam. (Other brands that people buy include; D-link webcams, Lenovo webcams, MSI webcams, Sony webcams and Toshiba webcams.) and this is generally a safe option.
Webcam Prices
There are a lot of video webcams on the market and as such webcam prices vary across a wide range. You can buy a cheap webcam from as low as AU$12 all the way to over $500 (and beyond) for very specific kits. You could probably buy a good webcam from around $40 although you may feel more comfortable buying a webcam between AU$50 - AU$100 that fully meets your webcam requirements.
The cheapest and most cost effective way to buy a new webcam is online. Online shopping for a webcam means that you can quickly and easily check multiple shops to track down the ideal webcam for you, then once you have narrowed down the actual webcam device that you want you can then start cross-referencing the online shopping sites for price. You should also take note of any specials or low stock where you might get a discount webcam for a great price (as long as it does what you require).
Good luck with finding the right webcam for you at the best price.
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