Which USB webcam delivers the most bang for the buck?

[123]

.... for USB-based webcams.....can you view their feed on a webpage you can pull up in a browser?

The Clique HUE HD webcam comes with a freeware application called AMCAP. To stream the image over the network, you need additional software. Go to Downloads.com and search for "web cam" and you'll find several products like WebCamXP, suggested by Dan, plus Active Web Cam
Webcam Monitor
YAWcam
My Webcam Broadcaster
TinCam
ImageSalsa
etc


FWIW, the attached photo was taken by a HUE HD camera attached to my laptop in our living room this evening. The room lighting is very low (13W CFL bulb in a table lamp situated behind the camera plus indirect incandescent lighting from the adjoining foyer) yet the captured image actually appears brighter than in reality. It is raining outside and quite gloomy; the bright spots on the window are reflections from the interior table lamp. Overall, it is a decent picture for a sub-$20 camera.

 

[BigBrother]

I like DLINK Internet Cameras because of their included software, great support and regular BIOS updates. There is also a cool iPhone app that lets you check up on your home from your phone.

Andy

 

[TXFlatLander]

Not sure about Dlink's quality now, but about four years ago it seemed everything I bought from them would flake out over a short period of time. I went to Linksys and Cisco primarily and haven't looked back.

 

[twilo123]

just my 2 cents from what i have come across.

dlink, linksys, and trendent buck the industry standards on their lower end models and are not well designed. their mjpg streams are proprietary to cut costs. in some cases their mpg4 streams turn out to be asf.
dlink higher end models are rebranded vivotek so you may as well just go straight to the source.
trendnet is ok but they use POST methods for ptz controls which is not standard in the industry either. other than that they change their firmware constantly to something totally different.

webcamxp is a good pc program. we support it in our mobile phone apps and it is the only app we support to tie into usb cams right now.

i agree with some others about just getting an ip cam. the only major benefit to getting a usb cam offhand is that you have to use a pc so you can just utilize the pc running 24/7 with software for higher functionality like long recording schedules, analytics, etc. for functions that are not built into the camera itself. you can use pc + software with ip cams also but it is not requirement for cam like for usb model. if you don't want to have to run pc 24/7 then just get an ip cam. if you need more functionality than live view, controls, recording, and alerts (which most ip cams have these days built in) then go ahead with a usb cam or just get some software compatible with ip cams. there are tons of nvr at all kinds of price point. blue iris is a cheaper one. also usb cams integrate more easily into video chat programs.

if you need flexibility and want to move the camera around the apartment just get an ip cam. the hardware is typically better off in them also.

for usb cam i use the microsoft one mentioned earlier and it is ok. nothing crazy.
for ip cams on budget constraints i like vivotek, low end panasonics (bl series), skyipcam, used axis (discontinued models tend to be cheap on ebay), ycam

you can try cctvforum.com also for more technical recommendations.

 

[beelzerob]

Lots of really good info twilo, thanks!

 

[beelzerob]

Dan, what did you decide on? I got the un-usual green light to get a web cam. She's mainly looking for skype-type stuff with friends, but bottom line is it's time for a new toy.

 

[Dave X10]

I am looking for an affordable USB based webcam, with the intent of monitoring the inside of a small apartment. There is so much junk out there now, I figured I would check here, and see what you guys recommend. Thanks.

I'd forget the WebCam and it's limitations. I have an old "B" (linksys) IP camera (it works wireless or wired) I picked some years ago. It didn't cost any more than a decent WebCam... yet the picture and features are awesome. The wireless IP cameras are easy to move around and or hide. The new ones allow you pan/till too. And it can be viewed from your PC at home... or on the laptop.. from where ever. http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=IP502&cpc=SCH

 

[signal15]

Panasonic makes a cheap (under $200) PTZ IP camera that gets awesome reviews. The Sharx stuff also looks quite interesting.

 

[electron]

The plan was to go with the Dynex webcam Best Buy sells, but I no longer had a need for it. This is one of the better webcam review sites I have found, so maybe it will help you.

 

[beelzerob]

That looks pretty enticing, Dave, as I have IP drops all over the house, but obviously not USB.

However, before I pull the trigger on it...I was specifically authorized something she could use for "video conference" type stuff, skype, etc, so she could associate with friends. Will this camera also do that, do you know?

 

[electron]

Don't forget to check out the resolution/fps etc of whatever cam you look at.

 

[beelzerob]

The one Dave linked to said 30 fps @ 160 x 120/320 x 240/640 x 480 resolutions, whereas the one you linked to says 1.3 Mpixel. How do you compare those?

Hmm....I guess just the simple multiplication figures that out. But does 1.3MPixel imply 30 fps at that resolution?

 

[electron]

Some of the newer webcams (such as the Microsoft ones) support higher resolutions at ~30fps, and I believe the Dynex was one of them (but can't find the specs to confirm).

 

[Dave X10]

... I was specifically authorized something she could use for "video conference" type stuff, skype, etc, so she could associate with friends.

You may be pinned in to a actual Web Cam... I don't think an IP will work for your app. I got my wife a Logitech.. with face recognition (not what it may sound like). It can tell where the face is then tracks and centers the face.

 

[beelzerob]

Well, I made the pitch for a "more versatile" kind of camera, and got shot down. Oh well, even getting a standard webcam is a victory. The dynex works being at best buy, so we can get it now. And I have some of those dumb best buy points I cashed in for a $5 certificate, so that makes it even more appealing.

Thanks for the inputs, though. I think I'll go Dave's route when I'm ready to put in some cameras for simple/basic security.