Webcam Buying Guide

Webcam requirements

Before you start shopping for a webcam, you need to take stock of your PC. Note the operating system and version, the amount of memory available, and your Internet connection speed.

Webcams are designed to work on a variety of PCs, but if you need high-quality video or video and audio streaming, you’ll need to weigh the webcam’s efficiency against your available resources. If you have plenty of hard drive space and a T1 or cable Internet connection, you’ll be able to get more out of a higher-resolution webcam. For laptops or slower Internet connections, choose a webcam with variable resolutions.

A note for Mac users

Apple discontinued its iSight webcam in December 2006 and started building a webcam directly into its new monitors and laptops. This has led to webcam compatibility problems for Macs running OSX.

A free driver application called Macam solves many compatibility problems with Macs and webcams. Visit http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/cameras/index.php to find a webcam compatibility list and download the software.

Webcam uses

A webcam can be used for live video chatting with several popular instant messaging services, videoconferencing with a voice-over-IP (VOIP) service, remote monitoring, or sending still images and video to a Web page. Choosing the right webcam is a matter of use: if you’re showing off a new baby to distant relatives, you might not need the same image quality as a business traveler conducting a meeting.

The main difference between webcam models is resolution (the quality of the image) and frame rate (the speed at which a webcam sends images), but don’t expect high-quality video from a webcam. The highest, and most common, resolution is 640x480 pixels, the same as standard-definition television. Bargain webcams may only support a resolution of 352x288 pixels, which is good for remote monitoring or keeping in touch with family and friends. The latest webcams support high-definition resolution up to 920x760 pixels, but you’ll need a very fast Internet connection to get the most out of them.

Webcam transmission

Webcams can send still images as well as video, and most webcams will give you a choice of transmission speeds, allowing the webcam to send everything from a still at regular intervals to streaming video. Budget webcams will send video at a jerky 15 frames per second while high-end webcams support full-motion video at 30 frames per second. Still-image resolution in webcams is capped at 1.3 megapixels, about what you get from most cell phone cameras and far less resolution than you’d expect from a digital camera.

Why is webcam resolution so low? In the online world, better image quality requires more bandwidth. A webcam that’s sending higher-resolution video at 30 frames per second is much hungrier than a webcam sending a still every 15 seconds. Using a high-resolution webcam with a slow processor or Internet connection will degrade the performance of the webcam and your PC, which could make it impossible to run other applications while the webcam is working.

Webcam features

Webcams typically connect to your computer through a USB or FireWire port. FireWire is a better choice for higher-resolution webcams, as it transmits data much faster than USB.

Wireless webcams are also available. These webcams work well with low-resolution video, but you’ll need to consider the webcam’s transmission speed, measured in megabytes per second (Mbps) for high-resolution streaming video. In most cases, a FireWire webcam will do a better job than a wireless model. Higher numbers indicate faster data transmission (if you’re connecting via USB look for a minimum of 54 Mbps), but real-world performance is typically slower than the top speed listed for most devices.

Given the lower resolution of webcams, lenses tend to be an afterthought. But a quality lens is essential for getting the best webcam pictures. Plastic lenses that screw in and out to adjust focus are common in budget webcams. Some of these lenses are good, but the best webcams offer glass lenses with manual focus rings that give the webcam extra sharpness throughout the focus range. Higher-resolution webcams with glass lenses also perform better in low light, which may be essential for remote monitoring.

Many webcams now include built-in microphones so you can send audio and video. These webcams are a good choice for laptop users on the go who need to check in with the office or use a webcam for remote conferencing. Quality audio adds significantly to the price of a webcam. Sending audio and video also increases the processor and bandwidth requirements of a webcam.

If you move around a lot while broadcasting, choose a webcam with facial tracking that will keep you in the webcam’s frame. Remote panning and tilting and motion sensors are good extras for a webcam that you’ll use for surveillance.

Mounting a webcam

Webcams typically clip to the top of a monitor or laptop. If you’re using a bulkier cathode ray tube monitor or wish to mount the webcam on a shelf, look for a flat, sturdy base that resists tipping. Some webcam bases include adhesive mounts for maximum stability, or you can reinforce the webcam with double-sided tape or Velcro from the hardware store.

Webcams are top-heavy, and this weight can cause a webcam to droop on its mount over time. Make sure that a webcam can tilt and pan easily, but not too easily, as this can be a sign of a poor mount. Webcams with automatic tilt and pan are far less likely to droop than webcams with manual adjustments.

Additional considerations

Webcams come bundled with a variety of additional software, though you’ll find that most popular applications already offer webcam integration. Make sure that the webcam has drivers for your PC and consider additional software a bonus.

If you’ll be using a webcam for business or remote surveillance, make sure that there is way to protect it from unauthorized transmission. The best choice is a webcam with a dedicated, password-protected IP address that will help keep unauthorized users from tapping into your video stream.

Need to know more?

• How to Set Up a Webcam Web Page
  http://webdesign.about.com/cs/multimedia/a/aawebcams.htm
• Broadcasting to the World: Buyers’ Guide to Webcams
  http://www.netguide.co.nz/Home/TheGuide/ProductReviews/ProductReviewArticle/tabid/197/ArticleID/586/Default.aspx
• How to Use Your PC and Webcam as a Motion-Detecting and Recording Security Camera
  http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/09/27/how-to-use-your-pc-and-webcam-as-a-motion-detecting-and-recording-security-camera/
• How to Make Yourself Look Your Best on a Webcam
  http://webcast.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=49366