What does it take to get a GOOD webcam????

therealnerd2

therealnerd2

therealnerd2

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Joined
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Dear all!

I've been tasked with setting up a cheap basic CCTV system for my mum's shop and i've been looking at webcams on an auction site.

My first effort was 10quid for a Creative NX Pro. Not bad quality, but obviously better was required.
Pic

Secondly I spotted a 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital - which had good reviews where I looked. I got it for 20quid and frankly it's terrible - does anyone why this could be? The best I can get is below (manually focused).
Pic

Obviously we're prepared to pay more for a decent camera - i'm thinking 50-60quid would be fine, maybe more - but i'm having trouble finding the right sort of thing. Needs to easily interface (USB) into a pc, which is currently a P3-700, although upgrading is a possibility. Webcams on this auction site seem to all be rubbish.

Thanks in advance for any help.

N
 
The PS2 camera was getting good write ups getting used as a web cam. U could try looking into that (sorry dont have any links)
 
Logitech QuickCam's usually do the trick, my one is a lot better quality than the two above and it comes with a whole bunch of cool stuff (like motion sensor>autorecord!)

I think i paid about £35 a couple of years back

"Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 - Retail (WC-014-LG)" looks pretty decent.
 
Sony Eyetoy, cheap 2nd hand places between £5-£15, bob is your uncle. Quality webcam for you there after a few work arounds using guides on the internet.
 
I would say your best bet would not be to use a USB webcam but to get a cheap security camera (seen them for under £50), and a TV card, which could be USB. You will probably have more options for recording format/quality, timed recordings, and brightness/contrast. If it is for a shop that could be used for catching thieves, you really want something that will stand up in court.
 
Thanks for the help all,

With all of these options I am struggling to find screenshots or captured images comparing the quality of the various options, and am left completely in the dark about which one to go for.

Does anyone have any links that could help? Or keithedson could you post an image (or email to trust)?

Thanks again!
N
 
keithedson said:
Logitech QuickCam's usually do the trick, my one is a lot better quality than the two above and it comes with a whole bunch of cool stuff (like motion sensor>autorecord!)

I think i paid about £35 a couple of years back

"Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 - Retail (WC-014-LG)" looks pretty decent.
Click to expand...
QuickCam's are sort of hit and miss between users I've found.
My mates QuickCam is almost perfect quality but mine seems a little shabby at time (not quite as clear) and no matter how much I tweak it I just can't get it as clear as my mates.

They're still good for the price paid though.
 
picture13bj.jpg



took that this evening, low light and using auto focus.

The quality seems pretty good and is easily good enough for making out the faces of potential 'robbers', lol.
 
Eyetoy!

i was looking at getting some £40 "do everything" webcam, but was recommended the Eyetoy and have not regretted it, got it brand new for £12 inc. delivery on ebay and its the fastest cam i have used and best quality!
 
OOo I like this thread as I kept meaning to use my dusty ole eyetoy as a webcam :D

Thanks for that link norbie as I was looking for that :D
 
just an addition to the eyetoy info, you can use the new silver eyetoys that look a lot better than the old ones :)

i had to google the serial code to get the specific driver for it.
 
yeah built in mic, remember to turn it off in vent or anything as it had me pulling my hair out til I realised what it was :p

Eyetoy is a very nice cam, have been using mine for yonks, Im no 100% sure but some of the new packages seem to have an oval shaped cam, not sure if they are of the same quality as the first ones.

Very easy to install and Im sure if you need the drivers n stuff someone on here can send you them :)
 
A vote for the eyetoy from me too.

I have a Logitech Quickcam express which I payed £40 for, and it's quality is far better than that.
 
The logitechs have been up against the eyetoys in pretty much all the threads thus far and the majority of users are saying the eyetoy is better.

Thereforw we're lookin at Camcorder (pricey) or EyeToy (WOO)

Hannibal2381 said:
will i be able to use the mic for talking on msn and bf2 voip ?
Click to expand...

Should be fine for that mate, yer just gonna need to set it up, I couldnt be arsed at the time lol.
 
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