I need to buy a web cam. Not for any attempts at playing with someone so as such time delay is not an issue. I have to firstly record a visual clip and send it by e mail as an attachment and then use it where I can communicate with another person. I don't have a camera so does anyone have any suggestions as to makes etc, what to go for that will serve the purpose. Are for example headsets better than a built in microphone? Thanks
If you want nice pictures, the Logitech pro 9000 is pretty good and can record video clips. My daughters have even done silly plays and uploaded them to YouTube as all that functionality is included.
I'm assuming you're using Windows - don't know about Macs.
Just took a still of some random objects next to my computer, in lowish light - if you click on the image in Firefox (once it loads - not sure about explorer) you should be able to zoom in, or download the image to view at your leisure.
Not as brilliant as a proper digital camera but hope it helps. The video quality is very good for a webcam! Ie not as good as a proper camcorder but this one seems to do both the web video and stills very well for the money. Haven't used it on skype but daughter uses it on MSN and it seems to work really well.
Quite a few people have done videos with webcams (if you have windows, Windows movie maker is part of that and is probably sitting somewhere on your computer - that's a basic video editor which can let you do titles etc).
I know you don't necessarily want to use a webcam for this purpose but I'm sure you'll find it really useful.
To email it (or put on a site like YouTube, easier for a lot of folk) you need to make it a small file, so no point in getting a really high resolution camera anyway
Hi Bren, very true - although the picture out of a good one will look a lot better than the picture out of a cheap one, even at the same resolution. Probably a case of getting what you pay for, really - because the lenses / processing will be a lot better the more you pay.
YouTube is also catching up in video quality (finally!) with sites like Vimeo that have always been way ahead so if it's recorded with a poor camera it will look rough even when YouTube ups the bandwidth at its end.
The most important thing with any camera is it's lense and this uses the famous Carl Zeiss lenses. You don't want to have to put on a headset every time you use Skype so the built in mic is ideal. Great mic and great picture, it's got great reviews anywhere you look. Don't buy cheap rubbish you'll be sorry. It's HD quality video is not a waste as someone mentioned above, because Skype now support HD also Youtube support high quality video that a lot of people don't know about. You might see it on some clips "click to watch in high quality". This is only available if someone uploads their videos in High quality to begin with.
Webcam
Webcam
I need to buy a web cam. Not for any attempts at playing with someone so as such time delay is not an issue. I have to firstly record a visual clip and send it by e mail as an attachment and then use it where I can communicate with another person. I don't have a camera so does anyone have any suggestions as to makes etc, what to go for that will serve the purpose. Are for example headsets better than a built in microphone? Thanks
# Posted on January 19th 2009 by concertinaplayer
Re: Webcam
If you want nice pictures, the Logitech pro 9000 is pretty good and can record video clips. My daughters have even done silly plays and uploaded them to YouTube as all that functionality is included.
I'm assuming you're using Windows - don't know about Macs.
# Posted on January 19th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Webcam
these lads are great for techie stuff - the above mentioned camera is reviewed there too:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/kl.aspx?bn=10193&mfr=LOGITECH
They deliver in Dublin within a couple of days - I've bought stuff from them before....they're way cheaper than the shops
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by andy69
Re: Webcam
Thanks lads. I presume that the logitech can be used to communicate via skype? Thanks again
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by concertinaplayer
Re: Webcam
Hi Larry,
Just took a still of some random objects next to my computer, in lowish light - if you click on the image in Firefox (once it loads - not sure about explorer) you should be able to zoom in, or download the image to view at your leisure.
Not as brilliant as a proper digital camera but hope it helps. The video quality is very good for a webcam! Ie not as good as a proper camcorder but this one seems to do both the web video and stills very well for the money. Haven't used it on skype but daughter uses it on MSN and it seems to work really well.
Image: http://www.danceofdelight.com/Gallery/logitech%209000%20still%202mp%20lowish%20light.jpg
Mark
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Webcam
PS sorry about the rather tastless elephant thing...
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Webcam
Thanks Mark ! Sure that's excellent for what I need. Didn't get the elephant thing till I looked again and there it was, hidden in the corner !!!
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by concertinaplayer
Re: Webcam
The elephant only comes out at night!
Quite a few people have done videos with webcams (if you have windows, Windows movie maker is part of that and is probably sitting somewhere on your computer - that's a basic video editor which can let you do titles etc).
I know you don't necessarily want to use a webcam for this purpose but I'm sure you'll find it really useful.
Have fun!
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Webcam
To email it (or put on a site like YouTube, easier for a lot of folk) you need to make it a small file, so no point in getting a really high resolution camera anyway
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by Bren
Re: Webcam
Hi Bren, very true - although the picture out of a good one will look a lot better than the picture out of a cheap one, even at the same resolution. Probably a case of getting what you pay for, really - because the lenses / processing will be a lot better the more you pay.
YouTube is also catching up in video quality (finally!) with sites like Vimeo that have always been way ahead so if it's recorded with a poor camera it will look rough even when YouTube ups the bandwidth at its end.
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Webcam
I highly recommend that Logitech 9000 pro also!!
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=338334
The most important thing with any camera is it's lense and this uses the famous Carl Zeiss lenses. You don't want to have to put on a headset every time you use Skype so the built in mic is ideal. Great mic and great picture, it's got great reviews anywhere you look. Don't buy cheap rubbish you'll be sorry. It's HD quality video is not a waste as someone mentioned above, because Skype now support HD also Youtube support high quality video that a lot of people don't know about. You might see it on some clips "click to watch in high quality". This is only available if someone uploads their videos in High quality to begin with.
# Posted on January 26th 2009 by blaydo