When buying a Camera to use with your Computer there are a few things you should consider. To explain it to you I will use my Camera to show you what to look for.
I have owned the Logitech Camera Family for two years. It may not be the most sophisticated Camera but it fits my needs.
I bought this Camera to use with my MSN Messenger Conference Meeting. I can see my Family and Friends, (if they have a Camera), and talk in real time. Imagine I can talk to my Son who works in South Korea! It is very reassuring to see a Child who is so far away. I love talking to my seven year old Grandson, (who lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada).
INSTALLATION:
On my Compaq Computer I can only install something new when I sign on. To install the Logitech I put in the disc as I was coming on line. After it was installed I plug in the cord to connect the Camera to the Computer. It worked wonderful from that moment on.
Other people I know can install new things any time. So you will have to find out what you must do to install any Camera.
THE SOFTWARE:
I am not a Computer’maven’, (Jewish word for expert). I choose this Camera because the software is easy to use.
I look at the screen and can take picture of the person I am talking to. It stores the files on its directory and compresses it. I can export it or save in different format. My Computer came with a Pro Paint Shop feature that lets me correct, crop and choose the size of the picture I am saving. My Compaq package included
the speakers and a microphone so I only had to buy the Camera.
THE SCREEN SAVER:
The software comes with a live screen saver that captures live image when the screen is set to idling. There are some settings with the butterfly on it while it’s capturing live environment in full screen. Please make sure you have a powerful computer to use this feature.
THE RESOLUTION:
The maximum resolution is 640x480 and the color is 24bit. This is nice if you want to make movies or take pictures. You should know that the bigger it is the more disk space it will take if you use it a lot.
THE BAD NEWS:
I found that the cord was too short. I had to buy a few extension cords. One was for the Camera, another was for the parallel and the other one I needed for the power up. I already had one for the keyboard and one the mouse.
I cannot use this Camera to take wide angle Photographs.
MY CONCLUSION:
Only look at Camera’s you can afford.
Find one that has the power your Computer can take.
Expensive does not mean the best.
Watch for the Camera you want to go on sale.
I watched for it to go on sale and bought it for$60.00 Canadian Dollars.
©LL