How to setup webcam

Some years ago, when computers were large and small screens, the acquisition of even the little webcam resulted in a fairly expensive purchase. Then gigahertz with gigabytes took the upper hand in the IT industry, justice finally be done - now webcams quite afford ordinary user.

Webcam, as is clear from its title, is intended solely to work with multimedia network applications, in which the bet itself is not on the quality of transmitted data (sound and image), and the speed of transmission. The latter aspect is very important for slow lines, even to our rich domestic Internet (especially on the periphery).

Webcams have many applications, ranging from custom video conferencing on the Internet and ending with the simplest telemetry devices (such as webcam can be used as a component of improvised security system).

As a rule, is attached to the camera software capable of "squeezing" everything imaginable from the device and not very appropriate: record video and sound (if there is a separate or built-in microphone), the network broadcast video, web photo albums and directories, work with mail and multimedia applications. In addition, the Internet is not difficult to find suitable third-party software developers.

Now turn to the case.

Connect to a computer. There were those glorious times when webcams were sold bundled with a special video capture board or connected to the PC via parallel port. Now virtually all devices used popular USB-port. Sometimes there are also web cameras that use wireless data transmission technology.

When buying, pay attention to the version of USB. With the support of only USB 1.1 will have to be satisfied with modest quality video: 640 x 480 pixels at 15 frames per second. Increased flow of data to skip the USB 1.1, alas, not in a position. For 30 frames per second will focus on USB 2.0.

Another point: because older versions of Microsoft Windows do not have adequate support USB-interface, in choosing their camera users will tighten. It is possible that the only way out will upgrade the system.

The qualitative characteristics. We will not particularly focus on this paragraph, because the Internet to conduct video conferences with their heads enough to permit 320 x 240 pixels. The standard 640 x 480 pixels, which offer all the cells, ideally suitable for small video recording, which can be sent by electronic mail. The most expensive models have a matrix 1.3 million pixels and making large-scale pictures.

Additional features. The built-in microphone, there is now virtually in all budgetary models webcams. The availability of digital zoom and auto-tracking a person doing work with a webcam more convenient and enjoyable, though somewhat increase its value.

Form Factor. As the popularity of notebook PCs and LCD displays is growing, many manufacturers have to offer a web camera, which conveniently mounted on the case of LCD monitor or laptop.

Well, let's based on the above data, we are trying to compile a rough configuration of two webcams: the budget option and the maximum "DC" model.

In a series of cost falls webcam with VGA-resolution (640 x 480 pixels), manual fire at the sharpness, without a built-in microphone and interface with USB 1.1. This option is ideal for home videoconferencing and for novice users.

Those who are not accustomed to economize, we recommend choose a web camera with a resolution of 1.3 Mega, internal microphone able to approach the subject with the help of digital zoom and is capable of automatic tracking of individual user. Typically, these devices support USB 2.0 and are equipped with advanced software.