Decent webcam.. Up to approx £50

413x · 17 Feb 2013 at 13:07

Looking for a decent webcam guys. Never bought one before but as far as I know Microsoft and creative have good rep

Cheaper the better obviously but I would rather pay more and have something good than something cheap and nasty.

I need to add a caveat that the net speed here is pretty slow, therefore highest Res/lowest data rate is essential. Needs to have good compression

peahead · 17 Feb 2013 at 16:22

Hi

I have had a few webcams over the years i suggest you look for the LOGITECH C910 or the newer C920.

There both great cams check out some reviews on youtube

Yetiii · 17 Feb 2013 at 16:26

I have just purchased a "microsoft lifecam hd-3000" for about £18 to use on Skype. The picture is nice and clear and the microphone is good. It looks quite good too.

413x · 17 Feb 2013 at 18:46

The hd 3000 looks a little cheap I think..

Yes I have been looking at those very 2 models (910 and 920) some people seem to prefer one over the other for various reasons.

What is Microsofts equivalent?

ExRayTed · 17 Feb 2013 at 19:33

To be perfectly honest with you the HD-3000 will suit your needs. I've had expensive webcams and cheap webcams.

What I've learnt is to buy branded to avoid dodgy drivers but other than that, it really doesn't matter.

The picture quality will only be as good as the internet connection and will be compressed to hell and back anyway.

Buy the HD-3000

Daichin · 17 Feb 2013 at 19:55

ExRayTed said:
To be perfectly honest with you the HD-3000 will suit your needs. I've had expensive webcams and cheap webcams.

What I've learnt is to buy branded to avoid dodgy drivers but other than that, it really doesn't matter.

The picture quality will only be as good as the internet connection and will be compressed to hell and back anyway.

Buy the HD-3000

This. There are very few situations in which the picture isn't going to be compressed to ridiculous levels, especially if your behind a bad connection. Throwing more money at the camera won't magically improve that picture.

Personally I'd say to buy the HD-3000.

413x · 17 Feb 2013 at 23:33

im not sure the hd 3000 will work, it has no Y tilt if im looking at the right one. (i thought they would all have this)

this is going on top of a hdtv not a monitor

the point about resolution is particularly relevant to my case. are there differences in the compression efficiencies between the brands?

Mercutio · 17 Feb 2013 at 23:36

There's quite a few cheaper webcams that are pretty crap in less than decent lighting. Pretty sure the logitechs are better at that.

413x · 17 Feb 2013 at 23:46

Mercutio said:
There's quite a few cheaper webcams that are pretty crap in less than decent lighting. Pretty sure the logitechs are better at that.

these are the things that i would like to have that are decent. not so much the resolution but image processing at low resolution

neblur · 18 Feb 2013 at 12:45

The good old "Lifecam" Never fails to disappoint me. =)

Daichin · 18 Feb 2013 at 17:14

al4x said:
im not sure the hd 3000 will work, it has no Y tilt if im looking at the right one. (i thought they would all have this)

this is going on top of a hdtv not a monitor

the point about resolution is particularly relevant to my case. are there differences in the compression efficiencies between the brands?

No. All compression is done software side. I also don't see why they wouldn't have y-tilt, i'd be kind of useless without it.
A branded webcam that costs more than a tenner should be okay in most lighting situations that actually occur in the real world.