Webcams

Overview

A webcam is a video camera that attaches to a computer to record video. You can even use a webcam to stream video over the Internet. The term webcam also describes low resolution digital cameras that are exclusively designed for video messaging and video conferencing. Web cams can also record non- real time events. They can connect to your PC through a USB port or wirelessly. Many computers come with built in webcams as well.

Webcams are available for a variety of purposes. There exist personal webcams, traffic webcams, private webcams, business webcams, and other unique webcams that broadcast video online at any time. Webcams are widely used for traffic information, travel promotion, and the remote visualization of any on-going events.

There are two types of broadcast webcams. The first streams images by taking constant pictures and converting them into video format. The second is through Java, which captures and refreshes images at permanent time intervals. It is the broadcasting tool (the camera) that is connected to the computer.

Inexpensive webcams are easy to find and use. The price range varies by device features and quality. Webcams start at about $18.

Benefits

The major advantage of using webcams is that you can video conference your family and friends at anytime from anywhere in the world. By having face to face interactions, you can have better relationships with your clients and family members. Webcams with FTP services replace old images with new ones.

How It Works

The operation of a webcam is very similar to that of a digital camera, it captures the light through a small lens at the front using a tiny grid of light detectors known as a CCD (charged coupled device) and converts the picture in the front of camera to a digital format. Certain USB support devices read the image from the sensor and transmit it to the host computer. The sensor and support devices are built on a single silicon chip in order to save space. The USB video device class (UVC) specification gives you the freedom to connect a webcam to a computer directly without the aid of proprietary driver. The images captured from the webcam are copied into your website through an FTP upload.

Companies/Brands

Creative and Logitech offer a wide range of webcams.