Web cam, please

10_66

TakeThis wrote: »

...For most people 1.3MP video by hardware is more than enough. These will likely be labelled HD webcams now...

...Is your computer up to the task?

Is there any particular one that you would recommend then? I haven't a clue.

TakeThis

Make and model of your PC? Is video quality especially important? Do you need HD Quality?

Is this Creative Live! Cam Video IM Ultra at £12 too rich for your blood?

Windows 7 Driver here if you need them, though it should install automatically

Would you prefer to spend less?

10_66

TakeThis wrote: »

Make and model of your PC? Is video quality especially important? Do you need HD Quality?

It's a MESH computer, properties (sorry, this doesn't mean anything to me though) say it's an AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+. 2.21 GHz, 960 MB of RAM, it's a few years' old though and I don't use it for games or music, so the spec is probably quite low. I'd use the web cam only for my sister to able to see me while we're talking. I'm unlikely to take stills (didn't even know you could with web cams ). HD probably isn't important. If by video quality you mean that's what will used for seeing me when we're talking, then I'd prefer images not to be pixelated or hang.

TakeThis wrote: »

Is this Creative Live! Cam Video IM Ultra at £12 too rich for your blood?

I'd go up to £20 (as mentioned, I've already paid £20 for a microphone as I wasn't bothered about a web cam so bought a reasonable quality microphone). Is the "Creative Live" one you'd recommend then, I've never heard of them (but that's not surprising as I don't know anything about techie stuff).

TakeThis wrote: »

Windows 7 Driver here if you need them, though it should install automatically

My computer is Windows XP, but I think, by looking at the spec on the link you gave that it should work with Windows XP.

RosieBee_2

Hello

Have a look at this : http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/

Cnet are usually reliable for tech reviews. Tells you how much they are too.

Hope this helps

ridethelightning

Do you have a smart phone, or at least one with a decent camera? There are many free apps that allow you to use your phone camera as a webcam, you just connect it to the PC by USB. This way it will cost you nothing. The only issue (easily solved) is you need something as a stand for the phone to hold it in place, you can easily make something yourself tho. It is reasonably easy to setup, most come with a step by step guide on how to do it.

Worth a try as is free.

10_66

ridethelightning wrote: »

Do you have a smart phone, or at least one with a decent camera?

Nope, just a basic mobile, but thanks for the info anyway.

10_66

RosieBee wrote: »

Hello

Have a look at this : http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/

Cnet are usually reliable for tech reviews. Tells you how much they are too.

Hope this helps

Many thanks for this.

zenmaster

I bought this basic Logitec one in Tesco (in store) last week for £8.

TakeThis

10_66 wrote: »

It's a MESH computer, properties (sorry, this doesn't mean anything to me though) say it's an AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+. 2.21 GHz, 960 MB of RAM, it's a few years' old though and I don't use it for games or music, so the spec is probably quite low. I'd use the web cam only for my sister to able to see me while we're talking. I'm unlikely to take stills (didn't even know you could with web cams ). HD probably isn't important. If by video quality you mean that's what will used for seeing me when we're talking, then I'd prefer images not to be pixelated or hang.



I'd go up to £20 (as mentioned, I wish she'd said in the first place, as I've already paid £20 for a microphone as I wasn't bothered about a web cam so bought a reasonable quality microphone). Is the "Creative Live" one you'd recommend then, I've never heard of them (but that's not surprising as I don't know anything about techie stuff).



My computer is Windows XP, but I think, by looking at the spec on the link you gave that it should work with Windows XP.

If you did not buy it then it's already too late.
Anyway, looking at the spec of your machine, I would stick with a VGA camera, as your system may struggle with fluid video above that specification.
zenmaster's webcam would probably cover it if he is happy with it.

If you are the colourful type: SAMSUNG PLEOMAX W400W £9

No need to spend more than a tenner.

10_66

TakeThis wrote: »

...Anyway, looking at the spec of your machine, I would stick with a VGA camera, as your system may struggle with fluid video above that specification.
zenmaster's webcam would probably cover it if he is happy with it

I don't know what VGA means, stick with it as opposed to what alternative (so I know what to avoid).