Webcams are by far one of the most advanced communication technologies available in the world today. They have given the world the ability to communicate with each other in the most efficient way possible.

But what is the difference between other forms of communication and a webcam?

A mobile phone lets you communicate with anyone anywhere throughout the world without seeing them.

But a webcam on the other hand lets you see and hear people the people you talk to. Simply put, a webcam is a video camera that broadcasts images and videos with the help of a computer and a good internet connection in real-time. They are nothing but a small video camera that can be placed on top of a desktop and most laptops come equipped with one.

The uses of a webcam are endless, you can use them for the purpose of communicating with your family or friends, you can utilize it for communicating with multiple people at once, you can use it to live stream videos or even use it for interview purposes are many companies are doing nowadays. People can call anyone from anywhere by using the Gmail video calling feature, or any other tool that allows them to do the same.

They are one of the most efficient devices that can transmit video and audio at the same time.

Although most laptops have a built-in webcam in them, they can be limited in their own ways. The ability to move them around is one of them. There is no way of moving the webcam which comes with the laptop to a certain angle or position you need, this may hinder you from capturing yourself from the best angle.

But using an external webcam can be quite different. You have the option of placing it anywhere you want which in turn makes your video look and sound great.

There are several things you should know when you’re about to purchase a webcam.

You should also be aware of the different kinds of webcams that people can use.

Various Types Of Webcam

Here are the various types of webcams that people can use.

In-Built (Integrated/Embedded)

This type of webcam comes in most portable computers, like a laptop. They are designed for convenience just like laptops are, they are referred to as in-built or integrated webcams. They are located on top of the screen. The quality of integrated webcams depends on the quality of the laptop you buy. Typically, they provide a decent quality of videos and images at the best, unless you have a laptop which is of the topmost quality and even then there are limitations to mobility being the biggest one. Certain models offer you a “dual camera” (two cameras) one for videos and the other one for taking pictures.

There is not much you can do, when you have an integrated webcam.

External Webcams (Standalone Webcams)

External webcams or standalone webcams came way before the integrated webcams. They come with a USB cable or any other cable which you should use to connect them to the desktop or laptop. Unlike integrated webcams the standalone webcams can be placed anywhere you want though people usually place it on top of the computer and adjust the lens. But you can place it anywhere you wish to and it goes without saying that the quality of images and videos captured in an external webcam is much better than what you get in integrated webcams but again it mainly depends on which external webcam model you choose.

Although having extra wires and the webcams may sound inconvenient but the pros outweigh the cons in this one.

The older model did not come with a microphone in-built in them but the newer models of webcams come equipped with one.

Even though webcams nowadays come equipped with a microphone it is wise to invest in an external microphone or preferably a gaming headset, it gives you the ability to move around talking without and the clarity of the audio is better too.

Network Cameras

They are identical to standard webcams, except they transmit data through Ethernet or wireless networks. They are also used with closed-circuit surveillance TVs, and they often function brilliantly for high-end video conferencing set-ups. Network webcams typically cost more than traditional webcams, and they often require a very reliable internet connection to operate seamlessly.

What Should You Look For In A Webcam Before Buying One

As it was mentioned earlier in the article that there are certain things you should be aware of when you’re planning to purchase a webcam

One of the most crucial factors to keep in mind when buying a webcam is Frames Per Second as they are the key determinant of the speed of the video and the speed at which the objects (images) in the video move.

With 15 FPS being the minimum Frames Per Second, it is not the best of choices. For the better movement of images in the video, it is advised that you choose 30 FPS it helps the video look more naturalistic.

In the event that you get 30 FPS, make sure that you have a reliable internet connection without which there will be no difference between having a 15 FPS and a 30 FPS.

Making sure you have good audio quality is important too so make sure you purchase a webcam with a good microphone or as aforementioned buy a gaming headset with the webcam. But regardless of your choice be sure to perform a thorough mic test before making the purchase.