Webcams
But before you buy a webcam, it pays to understand a little about how the technology of broadcasting images over the Internet works. Of course, if you have a full bottle on this already, you can skip this section and go straight to browsi
ng the options on Myshopping.com.au where you can compare products and suppliers, their specifications and prices.
Webcams provide 'real time' images of people, places and events that can be viewed live on a web page. Sending end has a camera that captures images, feeds them to a computer to an ISP and out to viewing pages on the Internet. There are two different types of broadcast: streaming images, where images are a constant stream downloaded in video format, or Java, where pictures are taken at fixed intervals and refreshed on the web at a rate which television station.
Applications - What is it you want to send and to whom?
There is a wide range of uses of webcam technology. Some examples include personal 'Big Brother' style diaries, sharing of family events, workplace security, video conferencing, virtual tourism, road traffic, weather looks, if broadcast and a host of others.
Before you make a choice about any webcam equipment, it helps to determine exactly how you want to use the technology, in other words, what you want to send. This decision will affect what type of camera you use and how to use it.
Another consideration is who will be viewing your content? What level of quality that is expected? This will help determine what type of camera you use, the software involved and your Internet connection. Of course, your internet connection be a limit on how much you can do.
The requirements for video conferencing are different from the requirements of safety, which is different again from the requirements of sharing a family event.
The physical components
There are a number of physical components required to make web cam technology work. On top of the list is the camera itself. Then, depending on what type of camera you use and the way you want to provide content to the Internet, you may need to incorporate video capture hardware in your computer. Some software is required to help you process the data, and Internet connection is required and a web page to which the information is fed.
CAMERA SELECTION
Your choice of camera depends somewhat on what you want to show. If you need to reach a large public audience you may want good quality camcorder or megapixel camera that records high quality images. If it is just to see who is on your doorstep or keep the kids in their playroom, then it might not be necessary to present high quality images. If you wish to use it outdoors, it will be necessary to weatherproof, and you may need to consider sun and UV protection. Available power supply and a robotic requirements for camera movement and focus are extra considerations.
Dedicated webcams
The most basic webcams connect to a PC using a simple USB connection. A wide range of cameras with accompanying software on a range of prices available for this type of application. Dedicated webcams are simple to install and easy to use, but come with limitations that affect the quality of the images, such as low number of frames per second (refresh rate) and resolution (pixels per inch).
Camcorders and security cameras
Higher quality images and more camera control come from using camcorder and security cameras. To use these devices, you must add a video capture card to your PC. Once you have installed, but you can use a wide range of cameras from broadcast cameras to miniature spy cameras. You can include variable lens options, filters for daylight and low light situations, as well as robotic controls for panning and focus adjustments.
Integrated cameras
An integrated camera combines the camera and the optical hardware with a video server, and as such requires no additional software. They can be used in network situations or as stand-alone devices for monitoring progress on a construction project for example.
Megapixel cameras
Network megapixel cameras combine crossover with high quality digital camera technology. These cameras offer excellent quality but this creates large files sizes, so they have limited application in constant streaming video. But the interval refreshed archive image collection, they are ideal, providing a constant record and high quality.
SOFTWARE
If you are not using an integrated camera solution, you must install an encryption program that webcast or Media Broadcaster to upload your images to a web page.
At the receiver end, web-surfers when surfing the Internet and want to watch live video online for the first time, they will need to download dedicated applications that display content as an ActiveX control, Windows Media Player, Flash player, or suffer .
INTERNET
Finally, you must have an Internet connection. The hardware you need can include a modem to modem connection, or modem / router to a broadband solution. Naturally higher quality you want, or a faster refresh rate you want, the more bandwidth you will need. ADSL (Broadband) will offer you the best solution, but keep in mind what your Internet connection when making choices of cameras and feeder software.
Webcam applications work well with wireless solutions. Make sure when you buy a camera or network video solution that is compatible with a wireless system you can use in a LAN.
Important Considerations
The specifications that are variable with webcam applications, and is affected by camera type, web interface and Internet connection, including number of images per second and image resolution.
Frames-per-second is the number of times a still image flashes for a second to give the impression of moving images. In
Resolution is measured the number of pixels per inch. High quality photographs require a high resolution. But the standard for web images is a low 72 dpi. Higher resolution images will not be any better visual quality, just slower to upload and download.
