WEBCAM FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:  Do webcams need power?

A: Almost all webcams these days are USB.  They plug into your computer's USB port and do not require power.

Q:  Do they need special software?

A: Yes and No.  They do need drivers in order for your computer to use them, just like anything else.  A webcam will come with these free drivers on a CD.  Once installed, no special software is required.  If you buy a webcam without a CD or driver disk, the drivers can almost always be found online for free.

Q:  Do I need Windows XP?

A: Most webcams will work with Windows 98 but some of the special webcam programs are written for XP specifically.

Q:  What do you mean "Special webcam programs?"

A:  Included with the webcam you buy, you usually get the drivers to install the webcam.  This will let you use the webcam with instant messenger programs like Skype, AOL's AIM, or Microsoft's Instant Messenger or Yahoo webcam Chat.

However, if you want to run your webcam all the time like I do, and have it available on a web page for anyone to view, you need webcam software separate from the free stuff that comes with your webcam.

There are lots of free and commercial programs that turn your webcam into a web page server.  Some upload still images at intervals like every minute, and some stream live all the time like mine do.

I used to use a programm called CHILLCAM, but now I use WebcamXP and it is by far the best I have found anywhere.

Q: How can I tell which are which?

A: All webcams have the capability to stream LIVE from instant message programs or chat programs.  They can stream or upload images.  This is a capability of the software, not the webcam.

Q:  Do webcams transmit sound?

A:  Some webcams have built in microphones and others do not.  Usually the packaging with specify "built in Microphone" or similar wording.  If your webcam does not have a microphone, you can still webcam chat with audio using a regular microphone or headset on your computer.  In fact, buying a headset is usually a better way to chat anyway, as the quality is better than most built-in microphones.

Q:  What makes a webcam worth $40 or $90 instead of $9.95

A:  That is a hard question to answer, because I have bought many webcams under $10 before, and several $19.95 webcams that I have been very happy with.  More costly "brand name" webcams will often react more quickly, especially when the light changes, but in my opinion, you should start with a cheap webcam and see if you like it before spending for a brand name that costs over $30.  They are usually not significantly better.

Some cheap webcams are very poor in low light situations like bedrooms, but not all.  One of my best webcams is an IBM brand I paid $20 for.

Q:  Where can you find webcams for less than $40?

A:  I live in a big city where there are discount computer stores.  The kind of places that sell old models or refurbished returns or discontinued products at great savings.  Not everyone will live in such a great place for cheap computer equipment.  Check your newspaper for ads from SURPLUS or FACTORY WAREHOUSE stores.

Also, EBAY is a fantastic place to find webcams under $10, both new and used.  If you still can't find any, let me know and I'll buy some and start selling them online here.

Q:  Can I have two webcams on my computer?  Or more?

A:  Yes and No.  I have 10 webcams on one of my computers, but it doesn't do much else.  Webcams slow the computer down a lot, and so running more than one slows it down even more. 

The main problem with multiple webcams is drivers.  So far, I have not seen any company support multiple webcams from the same manufacturer, so you need to make sure every webcam is a different brand and uses different drivers.  This is not always easy to spot, because several cheap webcams may look different, but in fact, use the same drivers.  You don't seem to be able to use two or more webcams unless they are really very different.

Q: How do you turn on the lights in your office?

A:  The lights and other items in my room are all plugged into special plugs made by the X10 company.  They have remote control switches that I can turn on and off from a held wireless remote switch, or from the computer using an X10 product called the X10 Firecracker.

We added the power of the Internet to turn these lamps and fans on and off from the web page using a program called The FIRECRACKER FUSE.  It's currently in Beta, but if you have X10 devices and an X10 firecracker, ask me about being a Beta Tester.

Q: How do you make the one camera move around (Tilt / Pan)

A:  You are referring to this extra webcam which you can move around using presets or arrow keys.

      http://justwebcams.net/jeff_cam6.asp

The answer I'd like to give is that I own this webcam: