Wireless Webcam Review

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.