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.

GeForce · 8 Nov 2006 at 20:47

Eyetoy

Lethal` · 8 Nov 2006 at 20:51

ye eyetoy is brilliant i have gone that route you get better res than most cheap webcams and you get a mic.

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.

Jofujofu · 8 Nov 2006 at 21:05

The other two posters failed to mention that you can get special drivers to allow the eyetoy to work in windows. I've no experience of this myself, so hopefully someone else can give you more details!

Paul

xirokx · 8 Nov 2006 at 21:22

jo is right

eyetoy will work on a pc , you just have to install the drivers for it

here is a post from another forum explaining it is possible:

http://www.hitlabnz.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-2.html

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.

GeForce · 8 Nov 2006 at 21:49

I'm using the Eyetoy as my webcam on this PC. Works like a charm. A few sample images for you:

Shot across the room, the wall is about 3-4m away from the cam. Pretty low light.

Close in "macro" shot of my K750i keypad.

Close up shot of some printed text.

Fantastic thing, get it really cheaply. Sharp image at range and in to about 5cm away from the object :cool:

Jon

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.

Rebel=UK= · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:07

I got a great one from Aldi the other week GREAT quality (1.3MP) and built in mic. and its designed to fit on flat screen monitor or laptops...£15.00. You might still be able to find a one in your local Aldi if your lucky:
Here is the quality

Imy · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:12

What was it called?

Rebel=UK= · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:19

Imy said:
What was it called?

Its the Tevion Vision 1.3mp Webcam

Cant find much on google about it

Jofujofu · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:30

Rebel=UK= said:
I got a great one from Aldi the other week GREAT quality (1.3MP) and built in mic. and its designed to fit on flat screen monitor or laptops...£15.00. You might still be able to find a one in your local Aldi if your lucky:
Here is the quality

You look familiar... hmmm... cant quite put my finger on it...

Paul

ChoÞÞer · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:48

Jofujofu said:
You look familiar... hmmm... cant quite put my finger on it...

Paul

lol !!!!1!

iBear · 8 Nov 2006 at 22:50

iSight

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.

broady212003 · 9 Nov 2006 at 05:49

Hi,

I use the Logitech Quick cam cordless

and its great, as you can move it anywhere in the house etc and the images are good and also use it like a camers outside in the garden also.

Poolybit · 9 Nov 2006 at 06:46

If you have a lot of spare cash for one you could get a Logitech QuickCam Sphere.. Just for absolute comedy value really.. Good quality camera with face tracking that works well but the downside is it is like £70

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.