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USB Webcams

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Instant messaging is great, but the shallow depth of smilies leaves much to be desired. And there's just some things that need to be seen, whether it's family on the east coast or your girlfriend's new dress. Visuals are key, and USB webcams are the answer.

What you see below are a far cry better than the original USB webcams released back in the day. Able to reach 30 frames per second with high-resolution CCD sensors, they're sure to catch every important detail so everyone can see. Many have low-light imaging to increase exposure time when there's not enough ambient light, and a few even have motion detection to keep you in frame. What's more is these can be used with dozens of USB webcam applications for keeping a live-cam on a website, making video calls, or adding video to your chat sessions.

Hi-Def Goodness
Creative Live! Cam Voice
Creative Live! Cam VoiceHi-Speed USB Certified
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • CMOS sensor lens
  • 1280 x 960
  • 85° field of view
  • Built-in microphone
  • Released in May 2006
Historically, the mics on webcams leave a lot to be desired when it comes to voice quality. They tend to pick up background sounds or make you sound like you are in a tunnel. Creative has a new webcam that has a new and interesting mic design. The Live! Cam Voice has adaptive array mics to be sure background sounds are minimized. The camera itself is also high quality with a 1.3 megapixel camera and a wide angle lens.  
USB Webcams for Notebooks
Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000Logitech QuickCam Ultra VisionLogitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000Hi-Speed USB Certified
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • CMOS sensor lens
  • 1600 x 1190 @ 30fps*
  • 71° field of view
  • Built-in microphone
  • Released in Nov 2006
Logitech QuickCam Ultra VisionHi-Speed USB Certified
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • CMOS fixed focus sensor lens
  • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
  • Built-in microphone
  • Released in Aug 2006
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks ProHi-Speed USB Certified
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • CCD sensor lens
  • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
  • 78° field of view
  • Built-in microphone
  • Bundled notebook clip
  • Released in Oct 2005
The webcam industry has been booming lately. Video conferencing has been built into practically every instant messaging protocol, manufacturers have been looking into integrating them with keyboards and gaming, and now Microsoft of all companies is looking to get their foot in the biz. Today we will be looking in-depth at Microsoft new LifeCam NX-6000, a high-end webcam designed for notebook users that employs a powerful 2.0 Megapixel sensor. Read on for the review...  Logitech latest webcam is called the Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision. The biggest features of the new cam is its 1.3 megapixel sensor and HD wide-screen format. The USB webcam has a precision engineered lens with a low f-stop setting which allows more light into the cam for better images. Logitech also introduces a new technology with its QuickCam Ultra Vision called RightLight 2 technology. Logitech has dropped the $99 QuickCam for Notebooks Pro, and replaced it with the aptly named $99 QuickCam for Notebooks Pro, sans Mac support. Sporting a new compact body and features galore, one can only hope that Mr Joe Consumer can see the blatant difference between the two. Whereas the older model only took pictures up to 1.3 megapixels with software interpolation, the new one can take authentic 1.3MP photos. 
USB Webcams with Motorized Pan & Tilt
Creative Webcam Live! MotionLogitech QuickCam Orbit MP
Creative Webcam Live! MotionHi-Speed USB Certified
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • CCD sensor lens
  • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
  • 200° pan, 105° tilt field of view
  • Built-in microphone
  • Released in Sep 2005
Logitech QuickCam Orbit MPHi-Speed USB Certified
  • Hi-Speed USB
  • CCD sensor lens
  • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
  • 189° pan, 102° tilt field of view
  • Built-in microphone
  • Released in Sep 2005
Designed to move automatically and manually, WebCam Live! Motion tilts and pans vertically and horizontally to give a panoramic view of up to 200° horizontally, and 105° vertically on its axis. With face tracking, the camera automatically follows you as you move about, keeping you within the video always. The Motion also has a wide 76° field of view.  Maintaining the motorized pan and tilt face tracking of the original, the Orbit MP can effectively view a room 189° horizontally and 102° vertically to match your active pacing. The Orbit MP's sensor has been upgraded from VGA to 1.3 megapixels, with interpolation up to 4MP for still shots of your eBay stuff. Additionally, it's now a Hi-Speed USB camera.  

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