From this material you will learn how to choose a webcam, what are web-cameras, what they are intended for, and what additional functions can be equipped.
To date, many people simply can not imagine their future lives without these necessary and important accessories. After all, thanks to web cameras, you can communicate with your friends and loved ones in the distance, and you will not only hear them but also see them.
The main purpose of such devices is the organization of communication and the creation of teleconferences via the Internet. But over time, such cameras began to be used for video surveillance, for photographs and for filming video. Modern models of web cameras allow you to watch even the starry sky.
Which matrix is better than
with a new webcam, like any other digital technology, is a matrix. The most popular are two technologies for the production of matrices: CMOS and CCD.The matrix, made on technology CCD, gives the most qualitative picture, but also costs much more expensively.
When choosing a web camera, give special importance to the resolution of the matrix. On average, it ranges from 0.1 to 2 megapixels( Mpix).It should be noted that the more megapixels, the better the image will be. And if your Internet connection does not have a high speed, then this will significantly affect the transmission time of the video.
The most popular is the resolution of VGA, it has 0.3 megapixels and the resolution of the frame is 640x480.To conduct videoconferencing, it is enough to have a resolution of 320x240 pixels. Resolution affects the scale of the image( the higher it is, the larger the picture will be).
Sensitivity of the matrix, responsible for minimum illumination, in which the webcam will give a distinct image. The sensitivity of the matrix in lux is measured( lux).The higher this parameter, the better the image quality will be obtained in a dark room.
Special attention should be paid to sensitivity, if you are going to do astrography( to observe the starry sky).
Additional functions of
Autofocus
With this function, you do not have to manually adjust the sharpness. The webcam itself will tune into the clearest image. Recently, web-cameras with manual focusing of sharpness are very rare.
Built-in microphone
Currently, all new models of webcams are equipped with a built-in microphone. This allows you not to connect a new device separately, which, of course, is convenient. And it will cost less than buying a separate microphone. However, often the sound quality that this microphone provides is not very good.
Fixation of the camera
Fixation can be of two types( clip and desktop).Cameras with clip-on fixing, very well mounted on the LCD monitor or on the laptop lid.
These cameras are very small in size, so most often they are immediately built into the monitor. Cameras with desktop fixing have their own support and platform. You will have to install it separately from your computer, but you can fix it in almost any position.
Autosoom
With this function, you do not have to select the focal distance to the subject, the camera will do it automatically, without your intervention.
What else to consider when choosing a webcam
Particular attention when choosing a web camera, give the number of frames per second that your device can perform. Frames per second are referred to as "fps".To transfer facial expressions and gestures, 12 fps is enough, but it's better if it's 30 fps.
Another very important factor to consider when choosing this accessory is the type of connection. Modern web cameras are available with a USB 2.0 connection type.
That allows you to make maximum use of the capabilities of your digital technology. With this connection, the quality will be as good as possible. But many computers do not support this type of connection, so you need to be careful here.
In case you want to reduce the price of your purchase, so that it does not particularly affect the quality, it is advisable to buy a camera with the following data:
- The matrix is made using CMOS technology
- Resolution VGA( 0.3 Mpx and frame size - 640x480)
- No built-in microphone( it's better to buy it separately - this will affect both the sound quality and its price)
- Connection type withcomputer USB 2.0
- Frames per second 30 fps
This is probably the most optimal choice, because the cost of such a device is relatively low, and the quality is enough for home video conferences.
