 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 THE MAGAZINE FOR COMPUTER APPLICATIONS Circuit Cellar Online offers articles illustrating creative solutions and unique applications through complete projects, practical tutorials, and useful design techniques. |
|
|
|
 RESOURCE PAGES |
|
 A Guide for Online Information About: Web Cameras Different
Kinds of Web Video Cameras • Netcams—These are what most people use, and they are the best choice for just about everyone. They're relatively inexpensive (between $100 for the basics and $150 for top-of-the-line). They're also easy to set up and use, and usually come with an assortment of software. They're small, fitting nicely on your desk. One drawback to these cameras is that their video quality isn't nearly as high as digital video cameras. They can be used only when they're attached to your computer, and you can't take them with you to record video away from your computer. • Digital video cameras (DV cameras)—These are in many ways just like regular video cameras that record by using film, but instead of recording on film, they record onto what's in essence a hard disk. You can transfer that recording to your computer and send it as video mail. And, you also can hook up DV cameras to your computer and use them for videoconferencing. DV cameras offer exceptionally high quality. Of course, they also cost an exceptional amount of money. DV cameras can easily cost $1,000 and professional-level models can set you back $10,000 or more. • Normal video cameras with a video capture board—You can use a normal video camera with a special piece of hardware known as a video capture board and have a PC video camera. You are able to send either recorded video or live video to a PC, so they're great for creating video mail and for videoconferencing as well. A video capture board will set you back $150 or more. Keep in mind that setting up and using these boards can be problematic, and you might have to spend a whole lot of time doing troubleshooting. There is also a chance that the existing video card in your computer has this capability already. Look for special video inputs and outputs on the back of your computer, and check your documentation to see if you have this capability already. Netcams
Can Double as Digital Cameras Interfacing
the Camera with a Computer • USB Netcams—USB Netcams are by far the easiest Netcams to set up. That's because the USB port and USB hardware has been specifically designed for ease of setup. There's no opening up your computer, and no installation woes. The USB port can send and receive data at higher rates than your parallel and serial ports, so USB Netcams tend to show video at a higher quality than cameras that attach via the parallel and serial ports. But, they tend to show video at a lower quality than Netcams that plug into an add-in board on your computer. For most, a USB camera is the way to go. Of course, to use one, you'll need to have a USB port on your computer. Most computers manufactured in the past few years have USB port. • Netcams that connect to an add-in card on your computer—To use these kinds of Netcams, you'll have to open up your computer, install a special card inside it, close your computer back up, and then install software. If you're not familiar with hardware, this can be difficult to do. These Netcams tend to be more expensive than USB Netcams, at least in part because they require more hardware (you're buying an add-in card as well as a Netcam). Generally, the cards can transfer data faster than USB ports, so these types of Netcams display video at a higher quality than USB Netcams. • Netcams that connect to the serial or parallel port of your PC—These types of Netcams used to be more common than they are today. Mostly they've been replaced with USB port Netcams, but they're still around. Although they're easier to set up than Netcams that connect to a card in your PC, they're harder to set up than USB Netcams. Because serial and parallel connections are slower than a USB connection, the quality of their video isn't as good as a USB connection. Only consider buying one of these if you don't have a USB port and don't want the bother of opening your computer to add a card. Features
to be Aware of • What's the frame rate?—Frame rate refers to how many frames of motion the camera captures per second. In the acronym-crazy world of computing, it's often shortened to fps (frames per second). The higher the frame rate, the better. Generally, the more expensive the camera, the higher the frame rate. Don't settle for a frame rate of less than 25 fps, and preferably 30 fps or higher to 60 fps and beyond. • What are the maximum colors it can display?—Again, more is better. Look for a Netcam that can display what's called 24-bit color or what might be called 16.7 million colors. That's a whole lot of colors! • What's the maximum resolution?—Netcams display as a small frame inside a window on your computer. The resolution refers to the size of the frame—the more the resolution, the bigger the frame. Bigger is better in this case. Try to get a camera that can display at 320 × 240 pixels or, preferably, better (640 × 480). Keep in mind, though, that at 640 × 480 resolution, the image will have a lot of "lag" to it. It'll appear slow and out of synch with your voice. You'll mainly use that resolution for using the Netcam to take still pictures. • What's the focal range?—You'd like a camera that can focus close up as well as far away. Some Netcams can focus on objects within an inch of them; others can only focus on objects four inches or more away. The wider the range, the better. • Does it automatically adjust to changes in the light?—Especially in offices or rooms such as studies, where you most likely have your computer, the light can be variable. You want a camera that automatically adjusts well to changes in lighting, and because you'll be using it indoors, you'll want one that displays well in indoor light. • What kinds of controls does it have?—Mainly when you use a Netcam, you won't be touching the camera; you'll control most of what it does through software. But, there are still some important controls you want it to have. You should be able to easily move the camera from side to side and up and down so that you can position it for the best pictures. And, you want as long a cord as possible that attaches the camera to your computer to give you the maximum amount of room for moving the camera and fiddling with it. There is often a focus control as well. Some cameras include a contrast control, although, many of them automatically adjust the contrast and don't require that control. • What kind of software comes with it?—Any Netcam you buy will come with a variety of software that can be used for videoconferencing and such. Look for a camera with as wide a range of software as possible. You'll want software that can capture video so you can send video mail, and you'd also like software that enables you to capture single images as well, so that you can use your Netcam as a digital camera. If you're planning to hook your Netcam to a web site, you want Webcam software to do that. Popular ones are NetSpy and Webcam32. Pretty much any Netcam you buy should come with videoconferencing software. If not, Microsoft's NetMeeting videoconferencing software is free and can be downloaded from Microsoft's web site. • If You Don't Have a High-Speed Connection—If you're connecting to the Internet via a 56-KB or slower modem, you don't need to think about frame rates or otherwise worry about the quality of your camera when buying. At that slow of a speed, the quality of your video won't be good, so one camera will do just as well as another. If you're connecting to the Internet this way, consider buying only for ease of setup and what kind of software is bundled with the camera.
Available Products 3Com Corporation:
ADS:
Axis:
Creative:
D-Link Systems:
Eastman Kodak:
Kodak DVC323 Digital Video Camera
Hawking Technology:
Intel Corp:
Kensington:
Logitech Inc:
Monster Cable Products: INC
S-VHS/HI8 CAMCORDER/VCR TO A/V
Philips PC:
Sharp Electronics Corp:
Sony Electronics, Inc:
Xirlink Inc:
Zoom Telephonics:
Circuit Cellar provides
up to date information for engineers, www.circuitcellar.com for more
information and additional articles.
|
|
 | ||||
 |
|
Click here to get your listing up.
|
|
|
| ||||
Copyright © 2003 ChipCenter-QuestLink
About ChipCenter-Questlink
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Advertising Information
FAQ
