Which webcam’s best for me?

Q. I want to use a webcam to keep in touch with friends and relatives around the world, but there are so many to choose from. How can I tell which is best for me, and are there any special features I should look for?

A. There are tons of webcams available, but all have their advantages and disadvantages. It’s possible to pick your way through the minefield of options though, and we’ve rounded up three of the best to suit every situation.

Solution 1: Best for use with slow broadband.
It’s tempting to pay top dollar for a high resolution webcam, but the reality is no matter how sharp its images on your screen, by the time they reach the person you’re chatting with they’ll have been compressed, mangled, and won’t look nearly as good. The slower your broadband, the worse the quality will be, so it’s pointless forking out for an expensive webcam if your connection’s a bit naff.
Best option: Logitech Quickcam Express USB – £13 (on 18 July 2008)

Solution 2: Best for chatting on the same network
High quality webcams come into their own when you’re chatting on the same network. The high speed connections between the computers will guarantee perfect quality, so it’s worth getting a high resolution model. If you use video conferencing at work, for example, they’ll guarantee top quality video pictures at a reasonable price.
Best option: Creative Live! Cam Optia AF – £41 (on 18 July 2008)

Solution 3: Best all-in-one bundle
Some webcams come bundled with other accessories. USB hubs, microphones and headsets can all be included, and could save you a packet. We’ve chosen this model, since it combines a decent webcam with a handy headset. The headset will come in useful for making phone calls across the web using VoIP software, such as Skype, as well as making sure your voice is loud and clear during video chats.
Best option: Philips SPC505NC – £18 (on 18 July 2008)

Get chatting about the best webcams over at the PriceRunner forum.

Related Articles:

1. Ask the expert: Which printer is best for me?Q. I want a new printer to make my own photos at home, but I also need to print a lot of documents for work. I know ink can be expensive, so which is the best printer for me? Can I find one printer that’ll do everything well? A. You’re right. Photo printers gobble ink like [...]...
2. Have a proper chatter with Logitech’s QuickCam web cameraVideo chats via webcam can be a great way to stay in touch with distant family and friends, but there’s nothing more distracting than jerky picture and crackling sound. Logitech’s QuickCam S5500 solves your conversation quality woes though through some clever software to adjust image and sound levels tucked away inside its circular shell. Logitech’s [...]...
3. Group test: webcamsYears ago, a webcam meant a low-res, still image of your mug that refreshed every few minutes. Now though, with the advent of faster internet connections and tiny, cheap video streaming technology, webcams are becoming fantastic tools for play and even work, with most happily syncing up to all your favourite instant messaging clients, as [...]...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Rate this article