Webcam Choices?
I'm thinking about getting a webcam so I can talk to friends over IM, video chat, and upload some funny videos to YouTube, and all of that jazz.
I'm not "electronic smart" as you could say .. I don't know whether 40 frames/second is good or bad .. I just know megapixels.
What is a really good webcam, but in the $50-$100 range?
I was shopping around Target today, and I saw the Logitech QuickCam Communication STX. Is that one any good? It was $50.
Any suggestions would be awesome!
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Lucy...
I still stand by my reasoning that a $29.99 Logitech will serve the same purpose and quality as a $79.99 Microsoft web cam. Here is what you need to know about web cams.
1) Aspect ratio should be no less than 640x480
2) They need to be USB or FireWire (Preferably USB 2.0)
3) They need to do at least 15fps (30fps are pretty much standard now)
4) Focus controls
5) 1.0mp
6) Microphone for Live Chat. (Optional)
Aspect Ratio of 640x480 is more than enough, most computers now days don't go below 800x600 for monitor settings, this would make 640x480 over half that, and most don't go over 1280x960, which means 640x480 is 1/4 of it., that is a large chunk of your monitor area.
USB 2.0 is standard now, and is the fastest connection you can get from a device to your computer.
15fps is a standard stream rate for the internet, 30fps is what video plays back at normally; VHS, DVD, TV; there is not really much of a need for more than that and most Web Cams do 30fps now.
Focus controls, either through computer controls or a focus ring like a normal camera is a must, you don't want to have to always be the same distance from the camera all the time.
1.0mp is pretty good for live streaming video and is pretty close to the average of web cams now.
Many of the high end ones come with built in microphones, some of the cheaper ones do too, you just have to shop around.
I'm not saying that the higher priced ones aren't a better quality here, I'm just saying the cheaper ones aren't always going to be a lower quality than them.
Get a USB webcam. 640x480 is the standard resolution for video, but if you want to take photographs get a higher resolution. 30 frames per second the standard video speed.
I purchased the Microsoft VX-1000 a while back... it sucks. However, the VX-3000 or VX-6000 seem like they are much better.
I would suggest taking a look on Amazon.com and reading people's reviews. You can find the webcam that's best for you, and Amazon.com usually has good prices on electronics (better than a retail store's).