World Camera Video

Instead of just communicating over the internet with text and emoticons, people are beginning to realize just how easy and fun it is to send video clips through cyberspace. Webcam setups range from simple to complex, and increasing the complexity is only a matter of adding functionality through software, custom code and/or equipment connections.

A simple Webcam setup consists of a Digital Camera attached to your computer, usually through the USB port. The camera part of the Webcam setup is just a digital camera — nothing out of the ordinary so far. The “Webcam” nature of the camera derives from the software. Webcam software takes a frame from the digital camera at a preset interval (for example, the software might grab a still image from the camera once every 30 seconds) and transfers it to another location for viewing.

If you’re interested in using your Webcam for streaming video, you’ll want a Webcam system with a high frame rate. The frame rate indicates the number of pictures the software can grab and transfer in one second. For streaming video, you need a minimum rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps), and 30 fps is optimal. To achieve high frame rates, you must necessarily have a high-speed internet connection.

Once it captures a frame, the software broadcasts the image over your Internet connection. There are several broadcast methods. Using the most common method, the software turns that image into a JPEG (compressed) file and uploads it to a web server using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). You can easily place a JPEG image onto any web page in this manner and post your webcam images on the internet.

If you don’t have your own Web server or web site, you can also use your web cam to send a video email. First, launch the software that comes with the camera. Depending on the model, the process of e-mailing and recording your video messages may vary. Press Start or Record to begin the video message. Click Stop and then preview the video. You can then click E-mail or Send, which automatically opens your default e-mail program.

When sending a video e-mail, the longer the video message recorded, the bigger the attachment will be, so make sure the recipient’s computer can handle the size. The recipient of the e-mail does not need special software to see your video message; they simply choose to open the attachment and the mini movie will play.

Another increasingly popular way to use your web cam is a chat session with webcams in “real time” with instant messaging (IM) programs. During an IM chat, there will be an option to start the webcam right on the screen, or under the Options or Tools menu. In Windows Messenger, for example, the words Start Camera are on the right-hand side of the screen. It is also possible to adjust the volume, window size, and video resolution with IM options. The person on the other end also needs a webcam to visually chat.

Adjust your camera’s focus, point it toward your face, and most importantly, look right into the “eye” of the webcam so your friends on the other end see more than just your forehead. Keep in mind that some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio. Don’t expect terrific video quality. It’s often possible to adjust the video resolution by toying with the webcam’s software settings, but the higher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates will be. Webcams can also be used for remote security monitoring, but beware of hackers who could intercept your video feed and then spy on YOU. Make full use of passwords and encryption.

What You Need to Know Before You Buy a Digital Camera

Digital cameras come in many sizes, colors, brands, zooms, resolutions, playbacks, etc. There are so many features and qualities that buyers, especially first timers, can become overwhelmed with the vast arrays and configurations. Not to mention the difficulty interpreting the various advertisements and different ratings that are used to promote these products.

So what are the things to look for if you want to buy a digital camera? To be able to answer this, there are 2 basic criteria you will want to know before you can decide. The first type of information is defining what YOU need and want in a digital camera. To do this, you can ask yourself the following questions:

- What do you want to take with your digital camera? Before you buy a digital camera, it’s important to determine what kind of pictures you want to take with it. If you are a digital photography enthusiast, any digital camera will not just do. You will need to look for features that can support the zooming you need, the resolution, etc.

- How much do you intend to spend? This is a very important question any person who intends to buy a digital camera should ask. Because no matter what your needs and wants are for the device, your financial resource will play a huge part in dictating the type of digital camera you will buy.

- What is your budget for additional resources? When you buy a digital camera, sometimes the spending does not end there. You also have to consider the capacity and the power of the computer and the printer to which you will be hooking your camera for your editing and printing needs. Editing software is usually included when you buy a digital camera but other devices aren’t. Aside from a printer, ink and paper for printing, you might also need additional memory cards for your camera and a more powerful computer to support image editing and image storage and retrieval.

After answering these 3 questions, the second set of information you need to know before you buy a digital camera are the features that you need in the device. These are:

- Resolution. Before you buy a digital camera, check its capacity to produce high quality photo images. The number of pixels indicated determines resolution. The greater the number of pixels, the higher the resolution, which can make photos less likely to lose image quality when they are enlarged.

- Built-in memory. Digital cameras need memory cards for picture storage. When you buy a digital camera, make sure that the gadget that you buy does not only have a “built-in” memory but should also have a card slot for external and additional memory. This allows you to change full memory cards conveniently while shooting your pictures.

- Look and feel. It is essential for you to feel comfortable holding your digital camera while shooting. So, before you buy digital camera, it’s a good idea to test and check if you are comfortable holding it and using it. Consider where the buttons are located and how they are spaced out and see also if you feel comfortable using the viewfinder.

- Battery life. Digital cameras use up batteries fast and batteries are expensive. Before you buy digital camera, consider if the camera’s batteries are rechargeable. This way you can recharge them rather than replacing them. Also consider an AC adapter when you buy digital camera. You can attach this to the camera when you are viewing your pictures or uploading them

- LCD. The LCD is a special consideration you have to look into when you buy a digital camera. This is a small screen located at the back of a digital camera that allows you to preview the pictures you took. This has to be considered when you buy a digital camera because it uses up a lot of battery power.

- Special features. Special features that will suit your needs should be thought about, too before you buy a digital camera. If you want your camera to have good zooming, you can opt for those with optical zoom lenses. A diopter adjustment on the digital camera’s viewfinder will also be beneficial to those who regularly wear glasses. Other features such as remote control, tripods, etc. can also be considered when you purchase a digital camera.

With this information, you can now figure out what you really need and want before you buy digital camera. If you want to see ratings and rankings of these devices based on price, resolution or other features, check out various websites across the Internet.

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