Web Camera Buyer's Guide

Most web camera buyer's guides give you reviews of specific webcams with a deluge of technical information that may not have a bearing on your reason for getting one. Webcams aren't so advanced you'll feel lost, but there are some things you should know before closing your eyes and picking the first one you touch.

Ultimately, what do you want to use the webcam for? Some web cameras are better suited for certain uses including:

• Becoming a YouTube star
• Video chat with friends and family from around the world
• Video conferencing meetings or with co-workers
• Creating a webshow
• Setting up a security camera

Whatever you want use a webcam for, taking pictures or video and possibly transmitting them will be involved at some point. Take note of what your computer specifications are, especially memory, processor type and speed, and what ports you have. USB is the most common connection that manufacturers use for webcams, but you can still find older ones with a parallel/serial port (very low quality) or Firewire (just like digital camcorders).

Webcams are far from creating the video and picture quality that you find in digital cameras or camcorders. However, since most consumers use webcams for video chats or recording video for the Internet, you'll find that webcams produce a find quality that doesn't bog down your dial-up or broadband.

If you are concerned about high-quality pictures, make sure the webcam has a 1.3 megapixel or higher rating. Videos should be anywhere from 320 by 240 to 640 by 480. You'll use the former resolution for sending video through e-mail and the higher resolution if you plan on video chatting online.

Webcams use to come in color and black and white. Nowadays, there is no reason to settle for a black and white webcam, when for not much more you can get a good quality camera. If you are an extreme budget, a monochrome webcam will suit you fine for security uses or conferencing.

Typically, desktop webcams offer better picture/video quality and sometimes more features. For example, Logitech makes the Orbit, which is a webcam that has an "eye" that can follow you around a small room. Notebook webcams are smaller and have the capability to attach to the top of your screen. Some notebooks contain a built in webcam, but are lower quality than the ones you buy off the shelf.

[Office_Software|Software]] should not be left out of any web camera buyer's guide. All webcams come with the drivers and a basic program that can let you record video and take pictures. Depending on what you are going to do, you may need additional software.

• Skype. Use Skype to webchat with friends. Calls are free domestically and only a few cents for worldwide use. As long as you have the drivers installed for your webcam, Skype is easy to set up and use.
• YahooIM. Another easy-to-use program for your webcam is YahooIM. All you need is an account with Yahoo and you are all set.
• Video or picture editing software. Windows comes with a basic program to do general picture editing duties. Some windows versions come with Movie Maker which is an entry-level video editing program.
• Online Photo Album. Taking a lot of pictures but using up a lot of bandwith sending them to your friends and family? Then sign up for any number of free online photo albums. You can post video on some of these sites also. Just Google "online photo albums."

Ranging from $20 to $120, webcams can fall into the good, better, and best categories. But don’t think that just because a webcam is $100 that it is better than anything that costs less. Look comparatively at the megapixels and resolution and audio quality. Those three features are the common differences in price.

Check for sales, too. Just because cost isn't mentioned in this web camera buyer's guide, doesn't mean you can't find a good webcam for a good price.

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