Which webcam?

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 20:40

I'm ordering a webcam tonight and was wondering which are good and which should I keep clear of? I've never owned one before and can't quite figure out the difference between most of them.

I don't want my ugly mug broadcast over the internet in HD but at the same time I don't want to be a blur. Other than that I'm after something that works well with MSN, Skype and other popular video chat software.

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 20:51

According to the eyetoy website It appears to be for a TV and PS2. I'm after a PC one to fit on my LCD monitor and work with the software I mentioned.

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 21:28

Well I would never use it with a tv/ps2 so aren't I better off just getting a PC one rather than make a ps2 addon work with my pc?

Also from the demo the lens seems to work best at long distance, I'm inches away from my monitor (blind as a bat).

One last thing - I need to order some other pc bits too from ocuk so would be handy if someone could recommend one of the ones ocuk sell.

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 21:57

After reading that forum thread xirokx linked to I'm not inspired with confidence really. The official website has no support for use with a PC and posting on a forum to request a driver isn't my favourite way to get a piece of hardware working.

I don't mind paying a few quid more for something else that's going to cause me less grief in the long run. Yeah the quality isn't bad but surely there are ones that are designed ground-up for the pc available that can do that?

Not to sound like an ungrateful git for the responses - they are very valued thanks but I'm not after a PS2 peripheral with poor driver support that may or may not work with an operating system I use now or in the future.

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:12

What was it called?

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:54

Decided to go for the Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX after reading various customer reviews on other sites. It seems to have most of the important features of its more expensive siblings and good compatibility/driver support. The RightLight™ feature was the clincher though.

Imy · 9 Nov 2006 at 09:42

I did consider that one but its going to be positioned on top of my monitor with me sat directly in front of it whenever its in use so the features I'd be paying extra for aren't going to get much use. Looked nice otherwise - a bit like those hidden cameras in supermarkets.

p.s. gotta love OcUK - ordered it along with a bunch of other stuff late last night and its already been shipped (09:39). I know I could've got it a bit cheaper somewhere else but when you want something quickly, this is the place to order from.