Canon GL2 Mini DV Digital Camcorder
62 Stores $1,198 - $3,000
Webcam Buying Guide
Webcams are the cutting-edge communication tool for technophiles. By sending video, and possibly voice, a webcam turns your PC into a futuristic video phone: you can stay in touch with loved ones across the miles, share your life with the world, or even keep an eye on what’s happening at home while you’re away. Although webcams seem simple, there are some key factors to consider to find the webcam that’s right for you and Pronto’s Webcam Buying Guide lays them all out for you.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Know your system
Before shopping for a webcam, know the processor speed, operating system, and Internet connection speed for your computer. This will help you choose a webcam that will perform efficiently. Mac users should check for compatibility with Max OSX when choosing a webcam.
Staying in touch
For video chatting, sending pictures with e-mails, or broadcasting to the Web, choose a webcam with 640X480 resolution and variable frame rates.
Videoconferencing
Business users should choose higher-resolution webcams with a minimum of 640X480 resolution and facial tracking that will keep you in the picture while you move. Road warriors with laptops should look for a webcam that sends audio as well as video.
Surveillance
For remote monitoring, look for a webcam with remote pan and tilt and a motion sensor that automatically turns the webcam on. A webcam with a glass lens and higher resolution will deliver better images in low light.
Mounts and connectivity
Make sure the mount on a webcam holds pan and tilt positions firmly. A webcam with automatic pan and tilt is less likely to droop. Choose a FireWire or high-capacity wireless connection for high-resolution webcams.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
For versatility and ease of use, the Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX WebCam 640X480 USB is the perfect choice. Supporting 640x480 resolution and an easy USB connection, it’s ready for broadcasting, still images, or video e-mails. This webcam clips to PCs and laptops and integrates seamlessly with the most popular messaging and mail services.
experts say
CNET—“With beefed-up audio features, the Creative Live Cam Voice is one of the best overall cameras for IM and Internet-based voiceconferencing.”Source: CNET.com
PC World—“…in good light, the [Creative Live Cam Optia Webcam’s] color quality and sharpness seem surprisingly good—I wouldn’t have expected such quality from a Webcam.”Source: PCworld.com
BIOS Magazine—“Logitech’s [Quickcam Communicate STX Plus] is a solid choice for those who want a relatively complete (think stereo headset), affordable and relatively stylish offering that delivers image quality good enough for most personal instant messaging needs.”Source: BIOS Technology Magazine
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of webcams?
The Creative PC-CAM 880 combines digital camera and webcam technology in the same unit. The PC-CAM 880 delivers image resolutions up to 3 megapixels and has memory expandable up to 16MB. With a built-in flash, 1.6 inch LCD display and 4x digital zoom for taking pictures and video at home or on the road. The software bundle makes editing easy and the marriage of both technologies means only set of batteries, cables and connectors to manage.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Webcams) |
| $ | You can plug in and broadcast for $20-50 with budget webcams. These webcams are a good choice if you have a slower PC processor or limited bandwidth. Most lenses are plastic at this price point, and image quality is lower than more expensive models. Good for everyday use in front of a PC or laptop, pay careful attention to the quality of the mount to make sure it won’t droop over time and beware of webcams with low resolution. |
Compare prices at 16 stores $39 - $62 |
| $$ | At prices between $60-100, you’ll find webcams with glass lenses, facial tracking, and remote pan, tilt, and focus features. New in this price range are high-definition webcams supporting 720 lines of horizontal resolution. You’ll also find webcams with built-in microphones, but the best of these can be found at higher prices. These webcams are a great choice for business users and those who wish to post higher-quality video on the Web. |
Compare prices at 25 stores $60 - $240 |
| $$$ | At prices over $100, you’ll find webcams with the best lenses and built-in microphones. Wireless connections are common at this price point, as is excellent performance in low light. Motion sensors and the ability to password protect these webcams make them an excellent choice for remote monitoring, but they’re also a great way to stay in touch with loved ones far from home. |
Buy now at Superwarehouse.com $123.99 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Bandwidth
The transmission capacity of an Internet connection. Dial-up connections offer the lowest bandwidth and the slowest connections. Cable delivers good speed for most applications. Dedicated fiber-optic T1 and T3 lines provide the fastest data transfer.
Facial tracking
A software feature that allows a webcam to sense the position of your face relative to the lens and move the webcam to keep you in the picture.
FireWire
A high-capacity connection between a webcam and a PC. FireWire offers the highest transmission speeds for digital data.
Frame rate
The speed at which a webcam sends streaming video data. Frame rates run from 15 frames per second at the low end to TV-quality streaming at 30 frames per second. As the frame rate increases, so does the amount of bandwidth used by a webcam.
IP address
Internet Protocol Address, a specific identity assigned to a device connected to the Internet. Each IP address is unique, allowing you to control access to a device through password protection.
Mbps
Megabytes Per Second, a standard measure of data transmission speeds for wired and wireless devices. Higher numbers indicate faster data transmission, but real-world performance is typically slower than the top speed listed for most devices.
Megapixels
A measurement of the still-image capacity of a webcam, equal to one million pixels. Higher numbers equal sharper images, but the majority of webcams are limited to 1.3 megapixels of resolution.
Pan
The movement of a webcam on a horizontal axis.
Resolution
The measurement, in pixels, of the video capacity of a webcam. Higher numbers equal higher resolution, and most webcams support standard-definition resolution of 640x480 pixels.
Tilt
The movement of a webcam on a vertical axis.
USB
Universal Serial Bus, the standard for connecting a PC and peripherals, such as a webcam. USB connections transmit power and data between connected devices, eliminating the need for an additional power source, but they are not as efficient as FireWire connections.
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