Webcam purchase - advice

beefster

My daughter has requested a webcam so she can see and speak to our relatives overseas. I went to PC world today and was lost amongst the differant options?

We will (at the moment) only be looking to converse with friends and relatives and possibly take snap shots.

What should i be looking for....... I tried to get a member of staff to help me but gave up in the end!
Any deals anywhere?

Thanks
Technoilliterate

sco0ter

Heres a nice cheap and chearfull one that will do everything you stated

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6766290.htm

ormus

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/101137/rb/26031196262

fatnbald

Tried quite a few web cams and never found any that gave good results apart from the high end Logitechs, The way they deal with low and artificial light and the clarity of the picture makes the extra cost worth it.
The 5000 is the best model, about £40.

stuartjp_2

maybe look into skype webcam and mic along with good webconferanece you get real cheap calls to landlines and cheap moblie costs,
skype to skype is free, and skype to a uas land line is about 10 pence for 10 minutes "or was when i phoned usa"
hope this may help you

BillScarab

do you have a digital camera? Some of those can be used as webcams, we have a Fujifilm one with a docking station and can use that as a webcam.

Tils

You should also check ebay too. Prices there are far better than places like PC world and theres a good selection of cameras.

One thing to note though. I assume your using Windows XP. If you ever have intentions of going to Windows Vista in the near future then most are not compatable with Vista currently. Only the expensive logitech ones are and there are a few generic ones which do as well.

beefster

Thanks all,
Really need to know what i am looking for before going onto ebay I think.
I have 3 digital cameras........ upgraded a few times! But none are able to be used as webcams unfortunatly.
The top end Logitechs have been recommended elsewhere too so thats my starting point.

Thanks for all the input.

Carmen

Tils wrote: »

You should also check ebay too. Prices there are far better than places like PC world and theres a good selection of cameras.

One thing to note though. I assume your using Windows XP. If you ever have intentions of going to Windows Vista in the near future then most are not compatable with Vista currently. Only the expensive logitech ones are and there are a few generic ones which do as well.

Hi I have XP and my family (abroad) have vista. Are the generic cams any good if so any recommendations? Trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

I was going for the one from ebuyer (ormas)^^ now not sure if this would be suitable
Thanks
Carmen x