Webcam for Skype

locky123

Looking for a webcam for a new desktop, running Windows 7, i5 chip with 8GB RAM, 1920x1080p 22" monitor. Will mainly be using it for Skype. Not looking for the very best but something which is decent and works well in range of light conditions. Not sure what features I should really be looking at, except for a built-in microphone. Dont know whether HD necessary or best video resolution. Anyone got any recommendations?

Lifeforms

I got one for xmas specifically for skype, and I've not been disappointed. Idk the cost of it, and as it was a gift I wont look it up either.
http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/6817/logitech-hd-webcam-c510-reviews/reviews.htm (C510, HD Logitech WebCam)

I like it's controls actually. As I run a desktop away from where I sit (wireless keyboard/mouse, large TV) sofa surfing It's annoying when it's on a mantle piece, and you need to move it. With that, I can pan, tilt, zoom in or out through the controls with ease. It might not be a necessary function, but for me it's invaluable.

Had no complaints over what people see from it or even the quality of it! But have been asked what it was, because a couple I've skyped with have been interested in it being really quite decent.

locky123

Thanks, the C510 seems to get good reviews. Is is autofocus? Or is this not really important if your usually sitting still in one place?

Mr_Toad

I've got a creative Live Cam Optia - Autofocus that I paid about £35 to £40 for a couple of years ago.

I bought it in a bit of a rush because my old Logitech webcam died and I needed one that day for a video conference.

I went to my local PC World and picked a mid range/price one, I seem to remember there was a quite a lot to choose from including Microsoft, Creative and Logitech. I picked the Creative because it had the best stand/clip/monitor attachment of those available on the day.

It's a fantastic camera, very clear picture and the auto focus is superb. It's so much better than the really old, manual focus, Logitech that it replaced.

One of the people I video conference with regularly has a cheap webcam, not very old and the picture is never very good, poor focus and very grainy, not a good picture at all and all but useless in low light if we talk at night when I get called out.

aerostar

The quality of the pictures sent or received are not always down to the web cam alone, it is also affected by the speeds of your/their broadband and how well the subject is lit.

The sending speed is usually much lower than the receiving speed so the amount of data that can be sent willl affect the quality.

The faster the broadband speed, the better the picture could be, but if your up speed is fast and the other up speed end is slow, then the picture you receive will not be as good as as it could be.