Guide to Webcams - Part 1 of 2
If you’re in the market for a webcam you could find yourself spoilt for choice.
From digital zooms to video conferencing, webcam technology has advanced at a fast
pace and there are many different specifications to choose from.
In this guide to webcams we’ll explain how webcams work, what you need to make them
operate and what features you should look for.
To skip to another section of this guide choose one of the quick links below:
What are the different types of webcam and how do they work?
A webcam is a small camera that works in the same manner as a
video camera but with images that can be accessed via the internet,
instant messaging or with video conferencing applications.
Webcams provide ‘real time’ images – they can be viewed live on a web page.
For example, if you have instant messaging software, such as MSN Messenger,
you can request to view your buddy’s webcam while he/she also looks at yours.
The broadcasting end of a webcam captures the images, which are then fed into
your computer, through the ISP and on to the internet.
Broadcasting can take two different forms dependent on the individual’s webcam.
They either work via streaming, in which images are downloaded in a constant stream;
or via Java in which images are captured at intervals and are regularly refreshed by the broadcaster.
There are many different types of webcam available including:
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Dedicated webcams – These are the most common types of webcam available and simply require a
USB connection on your computer. They are easy to install (many webcams will become available
to use as soon as you plug them in) and they are straightforward to use. Of course they do have
their limitations, including a potentially low number of frames per second and poor resolution.
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Integrated cameras – Comes as part of the hardware. Many laptops now include webcams integrated into their design.
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Camcorders/security cameras – Many people now set up security cameras outside their home using a video capture
card on the PC. These often come with variable lens options, night-time coverage and filters for daylight
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Megapixel cameras – Due to their excellent quality, megapixel cameras create large files and as such are rarely
used for streaming. Instead they are used to capture still images over a consistent period of time – these are
particularly popular for refreshing archived images.
When deciding which type of camera is right for you, it’s important to think about what you plan to use it for.
Will you be broadcasting continually? Who is watching? What level of quality is expected and how
do you want to use the technology? Once you have answered these questions, you should move on to
part two
and consider the features available.
Guide to webcam features – Part 2 >>>
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