Which USB webcam delivers the most bang for the buck?
- Thread starter electron
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beelzerob
Senior Member
Ya know, I'd also be really interested in this, especially if it's easily configured so that no matter where you plug the camera into, the video is accessible from the same place.
The reason I mention that is I have found many times where there's been something I wanted to be able to monitor from my PC...maybe it's a piece of equipment down in the basement, maybe a small bonfire outside, maybe the baby sleeping....and it'd be nice to be able to take the camera and plug it in almost anywhere, but still have only one place I have to go to for the video feed (so that I can setup a CQC interface screen for viewing it, without having to reconfigure every time).
The reason I mention that is I have found many times where there's been something I wanted to be able to monitor from my PC...maybe it's a piece of equipment down in the basement, maybe a small bonfire outside, maybe the baby sleeping....and it'd be nice to be able to take the camera and plug it in almost anywhere, but still have only one place I have to go to for the video feed (so that I can setup a CQC interface screen for viewing it, without having to reconfigure every time).
TXFlatLander
Active Member
I saw that no one made a recommendation. A lot of people use Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. I do not have one, but my dad's friend uses it to monitor his vacation property. It takes really good pics and video for the price.
Look at Amazon dot com for the reviews. Currently $71.36 at Amazon. Amazon SKU: B000RZQZM0.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-QuickCam-Pr...0681&sr=8-1
You can look at http://www.camelcamelcamel.com for a price history. Amazon is really bad about price fluctuations. Check out the customer review video on Amazon to see it in action. Also Buy.com runs them on sale quiet a bit if you sign up for their daily deals email.
Look at Amazon dot com for the reviews. Currently $71.36 at Amazon. Amazon SKU: B000RZQZM0.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-QuickCam-Pr...0681&sr=8-1
You can look at http://www.camelcamelcamel.com for a price history. Amazon is really bad about price fluctuations. Check out the customer review video on Amazon to see it in action. Also Buy.com runs them on sale quiet a bit if you sign up for their daily deals email.
roussell
Active Member
cnet gave good reviews to the MS LifeCam VX-5000 for it's image quality.
Here is the ranked list and here is the review of the camera
I haven't used them since they reportedly don't work with Macs so I can't offer a personal recommendation.
Terry
Here is the ranked list and here is the review of the camera
I haven't used them since they reportedly don't work with Macs so I can't offer a personal recommendation.
Terry
beelzerob
Senior Member
These webcams interest me...there's been lots of times where I thought it'd be handy to be able to keep an eye on something in various parts of the house. A good webcam and a laptop, and viola!
However, the question I have is...do these webcams allow their footage to be viewed "live" via webpage? If I'm going to use them, especially in CQC, then they'll need to operate in a web widget.
However, the question I have is...do these webcams allow their footage to be viewed "live" via webpage? If I'm going to use them, especially in CQC, then they'll need to operate in a web widget.
Steve
Senior Member
Don't want to stray OT, but an inexpensive IP camera, something like the Panasonic BL-Cxx family may be a better fit for that? I have a few around the house and can access them on my CQC interface, anywhere on the internet I may be or even on my Tilt with the WinMo MultiCam app from Total Control.
123
Senior Member
How about a 1.3 MP color camera that supports 640x480 at 30 fps plus audio for $14.99 from here? I bought four Clique HUE HD cameras from Woot last Fall as Xmas gifts ($17.50 each) and they're quite nice. Some of the posts in the Woot Community forum indicate they are also available at Kmart for $19.99. It looks a bit odd with its 'gooseneck' but that can be an advantage in some situations.
Photon
Active Member
I have a Panny BL-C10a and really like it. However, I have a few other places I want to monitor that don't need pan & tilt or the low light capability. I visited Geeks.com, bought a few cheapie video cameras, and connected them to an IP Video 9100a.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BL...S-N&cat=VID
I also connected an old VCR tuned to CNN so I can check out the news from work. Now when the Elk calls me with an issue, I can check the cameras without having to drive home. Geeks sold me the cameras and the 9100a for less $$ than I paid for the one Panny. The PQ is not as good, but it is plenty good enough to determine the garage door opening isn't blocked before I close it from 25 miles away (or 2500.)
Regards. . . .John
TXFlatLander
Active Member
I do not own an USB webcam or CQC (will pretty soon); however, a google search turned up some results. I tried to stay with free software.
AbelCam (www.abelcam.com) is an option.
DCAM Server is a open source with included web server. http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/dcamserver/
Microsoft offers Windows Media Encoder (check out google) that can be used to stream to a webpage by embedding the WMP OCX to connect to a computer that is running the Windows Media Encoder. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Encoder
Since you are a programmer, you can roll our own. It appears most USB webcams use DirectShow. There is a open source project called DirectShow.NET on http://directshownet.sourceforge.net/. Here is couple of example projects:
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/audio-video/...ectShowNET.aspx uses DirectShow.NET
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/directx/directshownet.aspx uses Microsoft's DirectShow
beelzerob
Senior Member
If you're gonna, be sure and hurry and CQC while it's cheap...it won't last much longer I think.
Thanks for those links, and that does answer my question. So it IS possible, it's just not easy...or at least, not automatic.
I've got an old (like 5+ years) IBM USB webcam stuck in a box somewhere...I wonder what the odds are it'll work if I plug it in....
damage
Senior Member
you can add pan/tilt functionality easily with a webcam mounted on one of those usb missile launchers. ( http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/warfare/8a0f ). they come up from time to time on woot for about $13. i started with this software http://abmason.wordpress.com/software-projects/sharprocket and added xpl to it so the pan & tilt is network controllable.
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