Inexpensive eye-to-eye technology.Here's what you can expect from two top Webcam (WEB CAMera) A video camera that is used to send periodic images or continuous frames to a Web site for display. Webcam software typically captures the images as JPEG or MPEG files and uploads them to the Web server. products Smile! Today's technology can zip your grin to friends and relatives far away almost instantly via the Internet at a very affordable price. For around $100 bucks, a Webcam--also known as a PC video camera or desktop camera--makes it possible to attach your photo or 30-second video to e-mail, or you can send a live image while you participate in a videoconference vid·e·o·con·fer·ence n. A teleconference using video technology, such as closed-circuit television. vid with one or more participants. And the connection won't cost any more than a telephone call. What's the downside Downside The dollar amount by which the market or a stock has the potential to fall. Notes: You might hear someone say that the downside on stock XYZ is $10. What that means is that the stock could fall by this amount if things got bad. ? As always, the quality of your experience is largely influenced by the product you buy and the speed of your equipment. Although several competitively priced PC video cameras, which should not be confused with digital cameras, have hit the market, they vary widely in performance, final product and software capabilities. Nevertheless, the Intel PC Camera Pack and the Logitech QuickCam Pro consistently receive high marks from industry experts. Here's what we found: Intel PC Camera Pack Price: $79 Website: www.intel.com This cleverly designed PC video camera produced the sharpest images of the two products. Just remember to set the sharpness setting to high, maintain the proper lighting and manually adjust the focus for optimal performance. You can hook Can´ hook` 1. A device consisting of a short rope with flat hooks at each end, for hoisting casks or barrels by the ends of the staves. up the Intel PC Camera Pack in a snap. Just connect the cable to the universal serial bus See USB. (hardware, standard) Universal Serial Bus - (USB) An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals over an inexpensive cable using biserial transmission. (USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. ) port, assuming that your computer has one, and let the games begin--literally. Along with applications that support the camera's videophone (1) (VideoPhone) A line of videophones (definition #1 below) from AT&T that were introduced in the early 1990s and later pulled off the market due to poor sales. The first models came with a price tag above $1,000, and a pair were needed. See Picturephone. and e-marl use are a wide selection of family-friendly interactive games. There's also an extra CD with a copy of the software for you to mall to a friend. Alternatively, you may find the need to push a button on the top of the camera for a snapshot (1) A saved copy of memory including the contents of all memory bytes, hardware registers and status indicators. It is periodically taken in order to restore the system in the event of failure. (2) A saved copy of a file before it is updated. a little awkward, especially since the camera will probably be mounted on the top of your computer monitor. You should also check the software requirements because the camera is compatible with only Windows 98. Logitech QuickCam Pro Price: $111-$140 Website: www.logiteeh.com/us/cameras/ This is probably the most thoughtfully designed PC video camera available. Unlike the Intel PC Camera Pack, you won't have to permanently stick the camera on the top of your monitor, so you're free to use it with different computers. The camera can also be detached from its cradle so you can shoot something up close. The software is easy to use too. And you don't have to worry if you're computer isn't USB-ready because Logitech's camera can also be connected to a parallel port--although you'll probably have to disconnect disconnect - SCSI reconnect your printer to make the connection. The quality of still photos is great, but video projections may be slightly blurry blur v. blurred, blur·ring, blurs v.tr. 1. To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure. 2. To smear or stain; smudge. 3. . Also, purchasers have reported customer service issues (check product review on www.cnet.com) and we also found it difficult to reach the firm's staff. But as one 15-year-old reported, the use of the Logitech PC Video Camera is "almost idiot-proof." RELATED ARTICLE: Before you buy ... * Determine your needs. Some things are nice to have, but don't pay for any extras you don't plan to use. Instead, stick to the basics and pass on the fancy upgrades. * Look for easy setups. We recommend you opt to keep it short and simple. Avoid cameras that require you to reinstall To go through the installation process once again, because files have become corrupted. See reload. your Windows software or load on a host of software. Philips USB PC Video Camera, for example, is one of these. Also, find out which interface--Universal Serial Bus (USB) or parallel port--the camera requires so you can make a match with your computer system. * Evaluate image quality. Try to visit dealers that have the camera up and running or consult someone who is already using the camera you want to purchase. Despite the technological limitations of the low-end cameras, the product you purchase should deliver realistic colors in a variety of lighting conditions and allow you to easily adjust the focus. * Consider camera flexibility. Even though most cameras must be mounted, the one you purchase should allow you to manipulate the lens so that you can capture different areas of the room. * Check out the software. Not only should the software be easy to operate, it should also include the right programs for still images (so you can zip your pictures over the Internet), videophoning and/or videoconferencing A real time video session between two or more users or between two or more locations. Although the first videoconferencing was done with traditional analog TV and satellites, inhouse room systems became popular in the early 1980s after Compression Labs pioneered digitized video systems . Some products also include a photo or image editor. * Get a guarantee. Purchase your PC video camera only from a store that will allow you to return it if you're dissatisfied with its performance. --M.R.B. |
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