Buying+a+Webcam


 * Buying a Webcam **

Are you in the market to buy a new Webcam this holiday season? Webcams are becoming more and more popular every day. It almost appears that everyone you talk to has one these days.

Webcams are a great way to keep in touch with people who may live far away from you.

1.) **What resolution does it have?** You want people to be able to see you clearly, so you will want a good resolution rate. The standard is 320x240, but there are also some out there that go up to 640x480.

2.) **What is its frame rate?** In the end, your Internet connection really decides the frame rate of a Webcam, but when you are buying one, shoot for a frame rate of 30 frames per second. (Webcams do not usually run in a continuous stream of film, they go by frames, so you want your rate to be pretty high). Thirty frames per second is pretty good and most decently priced cams can handle this rate with no problem. 3.) **How will my Internet connection factor in?** The type of Internet connection you have is a big deciding factor on how well your Webcam will run. If you have a faster Internet connection, you are going to be able to get more frames per second. If you have a slower one (such as dial-up), it may not be able to go as fast. You should check the upload speed of your Internet connection before you buy a Webcam. For example, to get an image of approximately 15 frames per second, you need an upload speed of at least 256 kbps. 4.) **How will my computer's age affect the Webcam?** If you have an older computer, you may want to think about purchasing a more pricey cam. The reason for this is that the image processing will be done in the Webcam and not on the computer. That makes a big difference. 5.) **What type of lens is best?** Webcams come with both glass and plastic lenses. A glass lens will give you a clear image, but they are also a bit more expensive. This feature is not always spelled out on the box the cam comes in, so you will want to make sure you ask about that before you purchase it.

6.) **What about light sensitivity?** Higher end Webcams will perform better in lower light, but the others will work just as well with more lighting. You will just need to keep in mind what type of lighting you have on when you are using your cam. 7.) **What type of images will show?** Well, the more expensive cams will give out a better image. It will be a little more crisp and clear. It is all up to you on what you want in a Webcam though. 8.) **What about prices?** Paying higher prices for higher end Webcams, better images, glass lens, etc. Also, if you have an older computer, you may need a higher priced camera.

Webcams can run anywhere from £10.00p to £1.000. It all just depends on what you are willing to pay and what you want to do with your cam. Before you go out and buy one, write down some features you would like and then look for them when you get to the shop. You will also want to keep tilting options in mind and find out where you can place the cam on your computer. Those are important factors as well.