1

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 with 1080p Video

I got this in the mail today. It came intact and I used it already. Its fun and very clear. It was an easy setup on my Windows 7 machine. It was ready to use in 10 minutes. I wish the cord was longer but it was an easy fix with an extender I already had. Now I only wish my friends and family would get one so I can see them better!

2

Logitech 2 MP Webcam Pro 9000 with Built-in Microphone

I use this daily for the microphone on Teamspeak while playing World of Warcraft. The sound quality is excellent. The webcam part is an added bonus for me.

3

TRENDnet SecurView Wireless Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP110W (Silver)

Pros: decent motion capture trigger, web interface is pretty good. Mounting system is pretty flexible and works well.

Cons: Locks up about once a day. Default webserver requires active-x or JRE to enable streaming video, but MJPG is available (see below).

The solution to that is to plug it in to an outlet timer that cycles the power once a day. With that, works well.

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tips:

Configuring wireless: when setting up wireless, make sure “upnp” is checked. If your router doesn’t support that, make sure to open the port manually, or you likely will not be able to connect to the camera wirelessly.

Accessing from non IE browsers: you probably won’t be able to access real-time video on non-IE browsers unless you have JRE installed on your device. To get around that limitation, use this URL: //server:port/cgi/mjpg/mjpg.cgi

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Overall: very powerful device that has a few quirks.

4

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 (68A-00001)

I ordered this camera to use with Skype. I loaded the software as instructed and when I went to use it with Skype my family could hear me but not see me. I researched online to find out this camera is not the most compatible with Skype however I found a link recommended to correct the problem. After i uninstalled the software I used this link which went to Microsoft’s website and downloaded the drivers. Then I opened Skype and through tools then options I was able to verify the camera was working and set it as my camera through Skype. Now everything is working great.

This is the link where I found the download suggestion:

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5

Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF Auto Focus System (Black)

This product has worked very well on my Windows 7 computer both in 32 bit and 64 bit mode ]]> http://www.wirelesswebcamreview.com/reviews/top-5-wireless-webcams/feed/ 0 http://www.wirelesswebcamreview.com/articles/what-is-a-wireless-webcam/ http://www.wirelesswebcamreview.com/articles/what-is-a-wireless-webcam/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:46:10 +0000 Martan Nichols http://www.wirelesswebcamreview.com/?p=10 A wireless webcam is a video capture device connected to a computer or a computer network wirelessly using Wi-Fi, infrared, Bluetooth, or cell technology.

What is a Wireless Webcam Used For?
The most popular uses for a wireless webcam is security, video telephony, and amateur video production. Today a lot of laptop computers have built in webcams but a wireless webcam allows pictures or video to be captured further away from a computer or router than a wired webcam.

For security purposes, a wireless webcam is used in tandem with motion detectors for surveillance purposes. When the motion detector triggers the wireless webcam the resulting photos or video is saved to a hard drive, emailed, or uploaded to a website.

Most instant messaging services and Internet chat services support webcams. Video conferencing is supported by Skype, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, iChat, Gmail, and several others.

A wireless webcam can also be used as an input control device for pc gaming.

How Does a Wireless Webcam Work?
A wireless webcam consists of a lens, image sensors, and the support electronics. The webcams use light detecting charge-couple devices (CCDs) to capture photos or video. They generally average frame rates between 16 fps (frames per second) and 30 fps. The lens can be made of plastic or glass. The glass lens is better. Some wireless webcams contain built-in microphones.

A wireless webcam is portable. It can be used without a computer by interfacing directly with a router.

Features to Look For When Buying a Wireless Webcam
Some of the features to consider when buying a wireless webcam are video size, quality setting, contrast and saturation settings, remote administration, and password protection. Some even come with peel-and-stick mounts. There are battery operated and solar powered units available.

A quality wireless webcam will come with auto brightness controls, built-in FTP software, and time stamping. The better wireless webcams can be remotely administered via a password protected webpage.

Some wireless webcams can send alerts when the webcam is triggered. These can be text messages, emails, and even a phone call that plays a pre-recorded message.

The price of a wireless webcam can vary from very cheap (and cheaply built) to very expensive. A cheap wireless webcam will have plastic lenses, low frame rates, low resolution, and short broadcast range. The more expensive wireless webcam will have glass lenses, high frame rates, high resolution, and longer broadcast range.

A high quality wireless webcam will have features like pan and tilt controls, remote administration via a password protected website, brightness controls, low light capabilities, and automatic alerts via text messaging, email, and pre-recorded telephone calls to multiple numbers.

History of Webcams

The first webcam dates from 1991 and was pointed at a coffee pot in at the University of Cambridge computer lab. It was operational from November 1991 (connected to the Internet in 1993) to August 2001.

The longest functioning webcam is the Fogcam located at San Francisco State University. It has been in continuous operation since 1994. Neither of these were a wireless webcam though since the technology hadn’t been perfected at that time.

People have used webcams to broadcast weddings, funerals, graduations, and any number of other life events. Sadly, there have even been suicides that were broadcast on webcams.

Today’s Use of the Wireless Webcam

Thousands of webcams on the Internet are listed by aggregator sites. Many state transportation departments operate webcams that allow viewers to see the traffic on various heavily traveled highways and interstates in real time.

Most people use a wireless webcam for video telephony, video conferencing, and security. Services like Skype have accelerated their use. For video telephony and conferencing, a wireless webcam has the advantage of a broader field of vision. That way you are able to get several people (or maybe a whiteboard) into the picture. For security purposes, a wireless webcam can be used for surveillance of outlying areas that are difficult to run wires to and so would be impossible to surveil otherwise.

The range of a wireless webcam can be from 10-30 feet for Bluetooth and up to 300 feet for 802.11 applications. Most have repeater capability that can double or triple the range. Infrared cannot penetrate walls and is line of sight only. Cell technology is not limited by distance.

Wireless webcams have the same convenience and ease of installation of wireless routers. No more wires to pull through messy attics or dirty crawl spaces, plus wireless technology makes moving your webcams a snap.

Your options when choosing a wireless webcam are as numerous as the imagination. Features can include live feed (the ability to see what the camera is pointed at in real time) from a computer, PDA or cell phone, the ability to remotely pan/tilt, night vision, motion activation and built-in microphones.

Some wireless webcams have the ability to send a text message or email notifying you that motion has been detected along with a picture of the area in which motion has been detected.

Another option is to live stream your camera to the internet where you can view, record, share and share your content. Can you say nanny-cam?

Your wireless webcam will need a power source. Battery power tends to be the norm and are generally recharged by connecting them to your computer with a cable. For more remote applications you will want to have a models that can be powered by a constant power source run to the camera. There are even solar powered webcams for outdoor applications.

Another consideration when choosing your wireless webcam is the frame rate. For most webcam applications 16 frames per second is fine. For smoother movements you will want 24 frames per second and if you need to view fast moving action you should look for 30 frames per second.

To be live-viewable your wireless webcam will use your IP address. This is great unless you have a dynamic IP address. If that is the case you may have to use a service that charges a monthly or yearly fee. The ability to send motion detected notification messages is not affected by having a dynamic IP address.

Most wireless webcams use WiFi, usually 802.11 wireless technology, although there are infrared, cell and Bluetooth models. WiFi wireless has more range than any of the others except for cell which is only limited by cell tower proximity. Repeaters can extend the range of wireless webcams if distance is a consideration.

Wireless webcams can be used for surveillance and security applications such as retail stores or in low traffic areas to address safety concerns as well as home applications such as motion activated notification systems. The portability and ease of installation make them perfect for security and surveillance. Plus, since the cost of installing or moving the security systems is reduced due to not having to run wires, the overall feasibility is heightened for small business owners.

A wireless webcam is also a great addition to your home computer system. Wireless technology allows you to use your webcam at different angles and further away from your computer or router than wired or built-in cameras. Wireless webcams can be higher resolution and have faster frame rates than built-in webcams, as well.

Video conferencing is supported by Gmail, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and AOL Instant Messenger as well as most Internet chat services. Wireless webcams are making multi-camera and mobile camera conferences easier, faster to set up and far more interesting visually.

Chances are your wireless webcam will be battery powered and recharging will be necessary by plugging it into your computer or router. There are plug-in models for more permanent installations or extended use applications.

Some of the more popular features available with a wireless webcam include remote pan/tilt, night or low-light vision, built-in microphones and motion sensing activation.

Wireless webcams range in price from under $100. up to $700. plus. Depending on what your needs are the more expensive model may be the most economical. Economy is getting what you need at a good value, not necessarily getting the least expensive item available. The good news is that as wireless webcams become more popular, they are also becoming more affordable, easier to install and far more dependable.

Wireless webcams are great nanny-cams, baby monitors, surveillance cameras to protect your property or keep an eye on your car in the driveway and the security cameras in your store. Installation can be quick and easy and the peace of mind will be invaluable.

Probably the key considerations when buying your wireless webcam are resolution and frames-per-second. High resolution may be a consideration if you need to read the tag number of the car that pulled into the drive, but the resolution standard for images on the web is very low and high resolution images are slow to load and won’t be any better quality on the web.

Most built-in webcams run less than the television standard of 25 frames per second explaining the jerkiness of movement. Remember, the higher the resolution and the more frames per second, the more memory, processing power and bandwidth you will need.

Generally speaking the steps to follow while installing a wireless webcam include:

1. Connect your webcam to the Ethernet port of your wireless router using a CAT5 cable.
2. Use the setup CD that is supplied by the webcam manufacturer to configure the wireless webcam.
3. Disconnect the wireless webcam from the power source and from the Ethernet cable connecting it to your router.
4. Mount your wireless webcam in the desired location.
5. Reconnect your power source.

These instructions may sound simplistic – and they are. But installing computer peripherals have come a long way and most often are not the nightmare scenarios that used to plague the average user. If you carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions you should have a problem free installation.