Good for Naked Pictures and videoconferencing
Written: Apr 17 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use, good for videoconferencing, inexpensive
Cons: Poor picture quality, not many uses, limited range, better alternatives
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| hwz1's Full Review: Logitech Camera Family |
In the six months I have had the Logitech webcam I have done everything from pose naked, to videoconference, to just taking normal pictures (Ok, just kidding about the posing naked thing, but I did figure it would get your attention). I have developed a few thought and guidelines to consider when it comes to webcams.
1. Save your money. I paid about $100 for my webcam and thought it would be worth the money especially since digital cameras were going for $650 and up. WRONG! First of all, the picture is very grainy and any type of light or darkness completely throws off any chance you would have of taking a decent picture. In other words, you better be in an enclosed room with well placed lighting if you want to take a decent picture. In my case I was planning to use the camera to take pictures of various things that I was going to sell on Ebay. However, I never could get a clear enough photo or one without a glare from the lights.
Secondly, the webcam has limited uses since you are restricted to an area within a few feet of your computer. In order to take a decent quality picture you must be within five feet of the lens and since the cord only stretches about three feet, well...lets just say that you get some good close ups of your facial pores.
Finally, the camera provides little in the way of editing options. Sure, you can change the resolution, but it does little to improve the quality of the photo. Otherwise, doctoring the picture is virtually impossible.
2. The webcam is useful for videoconferencing, but how many actually utilize for that purpose. I do agree that the camera can be great for this purpose, but it will remain a "could be" until more people accept the technology. In the future I would expect a decent bit of business will be conducted over chat rooms and videoconferences, but for now too many people are reluctant to change their ways and too many others do not have the technology despite the inexpensive prices.
If you are thinking of purchasing with a videoconference in mind I would wait until you know that the people who you do business with also have the product. Additionally, in the future you may be able to find a product with a better picture and with a chat function as well.
3. The webcam can be fun for kids. I think many of us have seen the AT&T commercial from a year ago where the girl gets home from her date and hops online and immediately emails her date a smiling picture of herself. A very cute ad and the type of innocent fun that I am sure today's kids love. However, I would also caution that the camera can be used in manners that could be detrimental. As with most internet applications, parental supervision should be maintained.
4. The webcam can be useful for adults in a number of ways. First of all, if you are going to sell something on an auction site you will need a picture of it in order to increase chances of actually getting a bid. As I said, the quality is not good, but you can use the webcam for that purpose and do so relatively inexpensively.
Secondly, the webcam can be used to send off pictures of the children or grandchildren. Alas, I would strongly suggest that you are better off utilizing a digital camera. Remember, the quality is not good and the camera does not stray far from the computer. Now, if you want to take pictures of the kids in only one room then you are fine.
Finally, I have read a few epinions concerning traveling spouses who keep in touch with the webcam, email, and phone calls. I guess this has it's merits and could be considered an imaginative way to use a webcam.
In summary, there are few ways in which you are better off buying a webcam than a digital camera. The quality of the picture is so much better with a digital camera and the functions are so much more advanced that it is worth the extra few hundred dollars. I know that sounds odd and this is not meant to be an epinion that attempts to swing you to one or the other, but they do both do virtually the same thing and, therefore, should be considered to be similar products. Buy the digital camera (I have written an epinion on an Olympus that I bought and have found to be excellent) and you will be surprisingly happy despite spending a decent amount of money.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
hwz1
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 845
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Just got a big promotion that will move my new wife and I to Atlanta.
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