How to Choose a Web Camera

Ever see live images transmitted over the Web? These illustrate the power of Web cams, hardware-software combinations that stream live video or transmit frequently changing still images onto Web pages. You can use a videoconferencing camera (the most popular type, discussed here), a digital still camera or a digital camcorder to set up a Web cam.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Web Cameras

1. Try to get the highest frame-per-second rate, highest resolution and best fidelity you can.

2. Compare lens types and focus controls.

3. Consider camera sizes and mounting options. Most cameras will sit on top of a monitor, but not all rotate both horizontally and vertically.

4. Compare bundled software and the manufacturers' limited warranties (most run for one year).

5. Check for additional features, such as a zoom or telephoto lens, video still-capture quality and a built-in microphone.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use a digital still camera or a digital camcorder to set up a Web cam.
• Make sure that your computer has an appropriate port to connect the camera to. USB is the most common interface standard.
• Windows NT does not support USB.