Choosing a Webcam Solution

Choosing the right Webcam solution depends on many variables, including determining the application and the prospective audience. A webcast of a live concert has completely different requirements than an office Webcam. Available bandwidth, indoor/outdoor camera placement, power sources, lighting conditions, operating systems, budget, etc. are all important factors in determining the appropriate solution.

Rule of Thumb: Garbage in = garbage out. That is, the quality of your final broadcast image is only as good as the quality of the image produced by your camera. A poor quality camera will produce poor quality webcasts. Similarly, the quality of the capture device, encoder, and webcaster has a great effect on the final distributed video quality.

The following questions will help determine the best system for your needs:

1. Who is the prospective audience? For example, do you need to reach a large general public audience or is it for private administration only?
2. What are you trying to show? Certain camera subjects have an intrinsically larger audience if they are being used for entertainment value. Or the camera may be purposed for security or just to see who is ringing the doorbell at your home while you are at work.
3. Is the camera outdoors or indoors? Outdoor systems have to be weather proof and have to consider the sun position.
4. What power is available?
5. What bandwidth is available?
6. How close is the subject to the camera location? How large is the subject area? This will help determine the type of lens, or if a fixed or robotic camera is needed.
7. Is archiving necessary? Archiving can provide an up-to-the-minute time lapse of a construction project or a visual record of an intruder from a strategically placed camera.

Learn more about webcam solutions:

• Cameras - Your camera options
• Integrated Cameras - Self-contained camera/server systems
• Megapixel Cameras - High resolution camera images
• Software - Application to load the images
• System Features - Features available on certain camera system

Cameras | Servers | Recorders | Wireless | Lenses | Mounts | Enclosures | Plug & Play | Accessories