Staying in touch with friends and family has never been easier with an internet connection. Today’s technology allows us to actually see the person we are chatting to, this is all thanks to web cams. A lot of people think that all web cams are made equal, but picking the right one for your needs is important. With the right web cam you can get clear images and hassle free video calls. Does your web cam have what it takes? Here are some things to watch out for.
- Resolution — the resolution of your web cam plays a big role in determining how clear the images are. Commonly the minimal resolution of 352×228 pixels will be good enough if you are doing very basic video calls. The higher the resolution then the better the images produced. If you want something with a crisp picture, then opt for a camera with megapixels instead of your regular pixels.
- Frame Rate — this refers to the number of pictures taken by a web cam and the speed at which these pictures are taken. Just like with resolution you want something with a high frame rate. A low frame rate can result in slow streaming and or frozen images. Look for something that has at least 15 frames per second (fps) or higher.
- Lens — not many people actually consider the type of lens that their web cams have. A good lens can help make sure that better images are captured by the camera. Generally glass is preferred to plastic. Glass can be easier to clean and is not as prone to scratches and other damage. A general rule is chose a web cam that has a glass lens instead of plastic to avoid blurry images.
- Style — web cams come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There are those which can be attached to the top of a monitor while others are adjustable. Consider where you will be placing it so you can find the right design. If you do not plan on moving it around then it can be good to use something that can be attached semi-permanently. If you decide to go with something adjustable then make sure it is sturdy and robust.
- Extra features — you will find that some web cams come with extra features that can be handy. Auto light adjustment and focusing are two of these. These simple features make it easier to have a trouble free video chat as you do not have to worry about lighting conditions or the right position. The camera automatically adjusts when it is dark or bright and as you move around. Other cameras also come with features like a motion sensor and high definition capabilities. While these two can be great they are not absolutely necessary.
