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Product Survey: Webcams
Once seen as a powerful application for professionals, videoconferencing is now within reach of the majority of computer users thanks to the widespread popularity of USB webcams. Our Product Survey looks at which will really help bring you closer to your contacts ...
Pierre-Jean Alzieu
Updated: 2008-11-12
Updated: 2008-11-12
The tests
Webcams are tested in various situations: during the day with good lighting to see how they fare in optimal conditions, and at night under poor lighting.
When an option, we also test additional functions like the zoom, Face Tracking, and the microphone, whether it’s external or integrated.
A series of test cards helps us to determine a webcam’s capacity to distinguish color nuances (particularly in flesh tones) and its sharpness.
Finally, we check its default configuration for settings such as contrast and brightness to see if better results can be achieved with manual configuration.
When an option, we also test additional functions like the zoom, Face Tracking, and the microphone, whether it’s external or integrated.
A series of test cards helps us to determine a webcam’s capacity to distinguish color nuances (particularly in flesh tones) and its sharpness.
Finally, we check its default configuration for settings such as contrast and brightness to see if better results can be achieved with manual configuration.
With more and more people enjoying fast ADSL connections, the popularity of videoconferencing continues to grow and there are now several manufacturers eager to get a bite of a market that includes, for instance, 14.5 million users on Microsoft's Messenger network alone.
How much should you pay?
There are plenty of webcams out there that cost less than 15 euros (20 USD / 12.50 GBP ), but you really don't get a lot for your money at this price point.
Your contacts will just about be able to work out who you are, and should be able to hear you, but moving up to around 20 euros (25 USD / 15 GBP) can make all the difference.
Movements will appear more fluid, ghosting less apparent and you'll start to enjoy extra functions.
Creative, for example, includes software to use your webcam as a surveillance camera, for instance while Hercules has cameras that are preconfigured to allow you to upload your content straight to YouTube.
Beyond 50 euros (63 USD / 40 GBP), you move into the world of high-end webcams, and the quality of both audio and video really climbs.
Another big advantage with these more costly models is that they often include an autofocus system, a feature so useful that we've decided to make it a pre-requisite for achieving five stars.
Without this system, other webcams have to make do with a manual focus controlled by turning a ring around the lens.
