SPOILER ALERT!
Webcam - How to Choose
With the growing availability of high bandwidth internet connections getting a webcam and staying in touch with friends and family has never been easier.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcam s use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcam s use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
SPOILER ALERT!
Webcam - How to Choose
With the growing availability of high bandwidth internet connections getting a webcam and staying in touch with friends and family has never been easier.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcam s use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcam s use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
SPOILER ALERT!
Is It Time to Buy a Webcam?
A WebCam, or Web Camera is a video camera that is used to capture real time video images and pass them via a computer to a computer network. The most popular use for a webcam is to set up video conferencing across the Internet amongst friends and family. A lot of modern Notebooks or Laptops come with a web camera already built-in.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcam s are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcam s are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
SPOILER ALERT!
Is It Time to Buy a Webcam?
A WebCam, or Web Camera is a video camera that is used to capture real time video images and pass them via a computer to a computer network. The most popular use for a webcam is to set up video conferencing across the Internet amongst friends and family. A lot of modern Notebooks or Laptops come with a web camera already built-in.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcam s comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcam s comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
SPOILER ALERT!
Webcam - How to Choose
With the growing availability of high bandwidth internet connections getting a webcam and staying in touch with friends and family has never been easier.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcams use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcams use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
SPOILER ALERT!
Webcam - How to Choose
With the growing availability of high bandwidth internet connections getting a webcam and staying in touch with friends and family has never been easier.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcam s use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcams manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcam s use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
Is It Time to Buy a Webcam?
A WebCam, or Web Camera is a video camera that is used to capture real time video images and pass them via a computer to a computer network. The most popular use for a webcam is to set up video conferencing across the Internet amongst friends and family. A lot of modern Notebooks or Laptops come with a web camera already built-in.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
Is It Time to Buy a Webcam?
A WebCam, or Web Camera is a video camera that is used to capture real time video images and pass them via a computer to a computer network. The most popular use for a webcam is to set up video conferencing across the Internet amongst friends and family. A lot of modern Notebooks or Laptops come with a web camera already built-in.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
Is It Time to Buy a Webcam?
A WebCam, or Web Camera is a video camera that is used to capture real time video images and pass them via a computer to a computer network. The most popular use for a webcam is to set up video conferencing across the Internet amongst friends and family. A lot of modern Notebooks or Laptops come with a web camera already built-in.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam , then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam , then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
Is It Time to Buy a Webcam?
A WebCam, or Web Camera is a video camera that is used to capture real time video images and pass them via a computer to a computer network. The most popular use for a webcam is to set up video conferencing across the Internet amongst friends and family. A lot of modern Notebooks or Laptops come with a web camera already built-in.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
This type of network camera is distinct from a network video surveillance device that is used to provide real time images that can be monitored for security purposes. These type of video cameras tend to be more expensive because they have a number of features for playback and storage, and often have to be protected against the weather.
The webcam was first developed within Cambridge university in 1991 in the Science department, with the purpose of allowing lecturers and graduates to view the Trojan Room Coffee Pot, and determine how busy it was before going to order coffee. It wasn't long before the first commercial devices were ready for the market and eventually Logitech became the biggest producer of webcams.
With the proliferation of instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP), many millions of people with connections to the Internet want to communicate with friends and relatives worldwide. Skype has become on of the most popular multimedia Internet communications systems on the Internet, and it all started with simple telephony, but now has added features such as video and chat. So now you can talk to your friends worldwide and view a live image of them as you do so provided you have some kind of web camera attached to your PC.
Most webcams comprise a camera lens and an image sensor, rather like a standard digital camera, with a lot of webcams now having a built-in microphone. The cheaper models come with a decent quality fixed focus lens to ensure a good quality image. Most commercial low-cost web cameras incorporate a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor which converts light energy into a voltage, which is then converted to some digital format. CMOS image sensors are fairly cheap to manufacture, hence the reason they have become popular in webcam technology. The alternative is to use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), but these tend to be a little more expensive to manufacture and the image quality is very similar for both devices.
Most webcams are connected to a computer by means of a USB cable, unless otherwise integrated with the computer, but this is mainly with recent Notebooks and Laptops. A development known as the USB Video Device Class, or UVC for short, allows webcams to be integrated with computers, and usually doesn't require the use of specific vendor specific device drivers. All the major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS support this UVC standard. All this makes it easy for a user with no technical knowledge to install and run a webcam quickly and efficiently.
As well as using a webcam for simple communications, many people today also use them to produce low-cost video images for use on social websites such as YouTube. Another area where they are used extensively is online dating sites where men and women can view potential dates rather than just rely on still photographs.
It is important to note that images passed from webcams via computers are utilising some form of computer application, and all computer applications are subject to attack from hackers and mischief makers, particularly on the Internet. For this reason security is just as important for your Webcam application as it is for others such as email and other forms of file transfer. Hackers can use a variety of methods such as Trojan Horse Viruses to activate a webcam, so it is very important to make sure your Internet Security programs are up to date. If you purchase a webcam, then a useful feature to look for are LED indicators, to let you know when the device is live. This will warn you to switch off your webcam when not in use and also warn you when a webcam may be been remotely switched on by a hacker. Webcams are just as safe as any other computer device if you follow the security rules and always keep your anti spyware and anti virus software up to date.
A web camera is generally a low cost device and there are many outlets where you can purchase one of these devices. Many are purchased directly from online Internet retailers and I would recommend doing a little research before purchasing to ensure you are getting the right device, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of additional features and methods used to attach the physical device to an existing computer or desk. Although most webcams are attached via USB cables, there are many now that allow connection via WiFi or Bluetooth too.
SPOILER ALERT!
Webcam - How to Choose
With the growing availability of high bandwidth internet connections getting a webcam and staying in touch with friends and family has never been easier.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcam s manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcams use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
What is a Webcam
A webcam is a small video camera that takes still or moving images and sends them to your PC via a USB cable. The quality of image capture is determined by the webcam's lens, optical sensor and the frame rate the camera can transmit.
The best available resolution is 640x480 and the frame rate is almost always 30 frames per second. If your looking to take movie clips then you will need a camera with a high resolution and frame rate. If you want to use your video camera for video conferencing, you could go for a cheaper, lower-spec camera but with the ever increasing availability of high bandwidth internet connections and VoIP software such as Skype, I would recommend going for a good quality camera.
PC specification and your Webcam
At this point it would be a good idea to check the minimum specification required to run the webcam of your choice, and whether your PC meets that specification. The majority of current webcams require at least Windows 98 Second Edition to work properly. Minimum processor requirements generally vary from 350MHz to 700MHz but I would suggest a processor speed of at least 1000MHz. RAM specifications vary from 128MB to 512MB. Manufacturers of webcams will generally state a wide compatibility specification, however, a good rule of thumb would be to take the top specification mentioned for your webcam and use that as your minimum specification requirement.
OK your PC has met the minimum RAM and Processor specification for your webcam, the next thing to think about is the kind of port your webcam is going to plug into. The majority of webcam s manufactured in the past five years plugs in to a USB port. However, there are two kinds of USB ports older USB1.1 ports (12Mbit/s) and the more recent USB2.0 ports (480Mbit/s). These two types look identical and you can plug a USB2.0 port into a USB1.1 socket and you can plug older USB1.1 devices into a USB2.0 port, however, only a USB Hi-Speed device on a USB2.0 port will transfer data faster than 12Mbit/s.
Upgrading your PC to meet your webcam requirements
Before you undertake any upgrade, you need to compare your PC's specifications to the minimum requirements of the webcam you want to install. Check out the need to know below before you take the plunge.
A webcam's manufacturer will specify certain minimum requirements that your PC should meet if it is to work successfully with the device. These generally include the version of Windows on your PC, your processor's speed and the amount of RAM fitted.
Some webcams use a USB Hi-Speed connection. Before you buy one of these cams check to see if your PC has USB2.0 ports. If your PC runs a version of Windows older than XP then it almost certainly doesn't have USB2.0 ports.
Most current webcams come with a built-in microphone, but a few don't. Before you buy, check to see if your webcam has a microphone, if it doesn't you'll have to buy one that plugs into your sound card.
