Webcam advice?

23 Jun 2006

Very strange ... I have a Logitech webcam ... it's the communicate stx model and comes with a 2nd 'flexible stand' if you want to use it instead of the normal fixed stand. Basically it's flexi so can be adjusted to 'hook' onto the top of your monitor. Don't have a laptop but do have flat screen monitor. Am a bit surprised that your logitech didn't come with one as most of the ones I looked at did.

23 Jun 2006

Danem and Tania, I've recently bought a Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX, about Â£40. There's another model 'for MSN Messenger' at Â£50 but the description on the box seems identical! No probs setting it up - just follow the instructions. Decent quality pictures and video and has built-in mic (haven't tried listening to the sound back though).
Tania, my webcam has two bases. One is for standing on a flat surface or 'telly' screen. The other one is a sort of firm but bendy attachment :shock: to let it sit on top of a flat screen. Don't know if your first Logitech was like this, but it might work with your laptop.

24 Jun 2006

I have a Logitech 'QuickCam Pro 4000',
Bought from Argos, about 12 months ago.
Price about Â£40, easy enough to set up on my PC ( don't know about a laptop) have regular cam to cam with a friend in Thailand.
Excellent picture and sound.
thechairman18
http://photos.swingingheaven.co.uk/photo-adverts/swingers-765329.html

24 Jun 2006

OK for those that may be confused about the flexi stand of the Logitech, here is the inside information:
It does not work on laptops!
The reason is that the screen is thinner and also on a laptop you need to angle your screen to get the best picture (brightness/contrast). So once you've angled your screen and placed the camera on the flexi stand and hooked it, what do you get? A view of the ceiling! Yes!! And you can't point the camera downwards because it won't tilt much - it will just come off its base. So if you have a laptop, don't buy the spherical webcams, good as they may be as they won't have much flexibility.
Argos do a clip on cam for laptops. I haven't tried it. Pricewise it is midway between the two webcams I have tried. I guess the ideal webcam for the chatrooms would be a proper digital camera on a tripod. Just imagine the possibilities, angles, zoom ins you can do! wink

I have decided to stick with the Philips for the time being because of the handy light feature. It is great for those quick forum checks when the baby is asleep in the room and you don't want the big light on.

24 Jun 2006

I bought a "creative" cam from PC World with an earpiece and mic. It installed without a problem except that the CD got stuck in the box and I used another CD also in the box which turned out just to be software for doing things with pics. Once I discovered the missed CD all went without a problem.
Not enough people use sound, I think it's fun to read a message on screen and talk back, also of course it adds to the voyeur experience to hear the enjoyment as well as see it.

24 Jun 2006

Quote by Tania
OK for those that may be confused about the flexi stand of the Logitech, here is the inside information:
It does not work on laptops!

Was only trying to help smile

25 Jun 2006

I know you were trying to help. smile