|
What is it?
A desktop camera is a device that sits on your computer desktop, monitor, or table. It allows you to communicate face-to-face with friends, family, and colleagues over the Internet, as well as capture still images for publishing.
|
Why would I want one?
Indeed, your desktop camera will allow you to inexpensively communicate visually and verbally with anyone else with another desktop camera, but there's more to it than just that. The still and video images that you capture can be posted on your web site, incorporated into print and electronic documents, or sent via email. No longer do doting grandparents need to wait for the latest baby pictures.
Desktop cameras have recently become more affordable than ever before, putting them within reach of the family budget. If your intention is to communicate with loved ones over long distances, the savings in your phone bill will pay for the camera in no time at all. Keep in mind that higher priced cameras offer higher resolutions and faster speeds, as well as some advanced features.
How do I install and use it?
As with any computer peripheral, carefully read and follow the installation instructions that accompany the product. Our installation instructions are designed to give you a general overview on the steps required to install a desktop camera.
USB: Virtually all desktop cameras use a USB interface. This interface is easy to install. In fact, you don't even have to shut off your computer or open it up. Simply connect the camera to an available USB port and Windows 98 will do the rest for you.
How do I go about buying one?
There are several features to consider when shopping for a desktop camera: interface (see above), resolution, frames per second (fps), microphone, and design.
Resolution: Unlike still digital cameras, desktop cameras use lower resolutions. Although desktop cameras today can produce higher resolutions than in the recent past, a higher resolution is not necessarily your best option. While a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels is sufficient for capturing still images, particularly for posting to web sites, it impedes the camera's frame rate and causes jerky video. For video-conferencing, a 320 x 240 resolution is sufficient. Still images for e-mail and the internet require only a 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 resolution, which create files small enough to easily manipulate, store, and send. If your intention is to use the camera for both still and motion video, look for one with an adjustable resolution.
Frames per Second (fps): 30 fps is the current standard for non-digital television. Creating the smoothest video at the same rate to which we've become accustomed, most cameras support a 30fps rate.
Microphone: If you're buying a desktop camera, you should be intent on video-conferencing. Most models have a built-in microphone for that purpose. Some require a separate external microphone, which offers an advantage: flexible positioning.
Design: While looking for a desktop camera, be sure the design is suited to your individual taste. But more importantly, be sure it's designed in such a way that it will rest safely in your location of choice and that it will provide a good picture from that location. For example, a desktop camera designed to sit atop your monitor is convenient for use at home but might not have the range to provide adequate video at a conference table. Some new desktop cameras feature a portable design that allows them to also function as a handheld camera you can carry around. While these cameras work fine for capturing low-resolution images for the Web, they lack the pixel power to produce prints and cannot replace a genuine megapixel handheld camera. |
|
U.S.A. 
