Cheap webcam

[Octopuss]

I decided to buy a webcam. It's just an experiment, so I want something cheap - but if it's good, I'd keep it. Could you recommend me something under $25/€28? Basically I just need the camera part. I don't need any special features (I don't even know what else can these things do), I don't even need a microphone. Normal 720p resolution is perfectly ok. I don't know what other parameters I am looking at.

 

[Shou Miko]

maybe a Logitech C270 it's 720p and it's a fine cam, i got one my self, and i basicly only use the mic in it these years.

saw it on amazon.com for like $27

 

[adulaamin]

maybe a Logitech C270 it's 720p and it's a fine cam, i got one my self, and i basicly only use the mic in it these years.

saw it on amazon.com for like $27

+1

I have that same model and it works well for what me and my family use it for which is mostly for skype and the kids making silly videos of themselves.

 

[Octopuss]

I am likely going to choose from either here or here. Is t here anything except for the Logitech (which I don't like very much) you'd recommend?
I would probably want the cam attached to the top or either side of the monitor, btw.

 

[Octopuss]

Oh one more thing, I want something I can tilt horizontally, because the cam would probably be placed at either left or right corner of the monitor, definitely not in the center.

 

[Sasqui]

I am likely going to choose from either here or here. Is t here anything except for the Logitech (which I don't like very much) you'd recommend?
I would probably want the cam attached to the top or either side of the monitor, btw.

Bad experience with Logitech?

 

[Octopuss]

Well, not exactly, but I just don't like their products very much. They give me the impression of low quality mass produced stuff. I really don't have any objective reason

Btw I watched a review of the C270 and the guy seemed to control the captured area through the included software. Does this mean you don't need to physically turn these newer camera left or right anymore? The only webcam experience I've ever had was with one my father bought several years ago, and if you wanted it to capture something else, you had to reposition it.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Well, not exactly, but I just don't like their products very much. They give me the impression of low quality mass produced stuff. I really don't have any objective reason

Btw I watched a review of the C270 and the guy seemed to control the captured area through the included software. Does this mean you don't need to physically turn these newer camera left or right anymore? The only webcam experience I've ever had was with one my father bought several years ago, and if you wanted it to capture something else, you had to reposition it.

Im the opposite. Id much rather choose a logitech product over Razer.

 

[ChevyOwner]

Well, not exactly, but I just don't like their products very much. They give me the impression of low quality mass produced stuff. I really don't have any objective reason

Most of it is low quality mass produced stuff. The gaming mice, and the G27 are the best things they make. I have a g510s, and it is the same quality as the $15ish Wal-Mart Logitech Special with extra stuff added on. It also normally costs about $120

 

[Sasqui]

I've had nothing but good experiences with Logitech, at least mice. If you preclude them for webcams, you're definitely limiting your options. MS has some very good products too.

As for the software positioning, that may only work with lower quality captures, where it's only grabbing a portion of the information on the video sensor (not using all the pixels).

 

[FireFox]

LifeCam HD-3000 di Microsoft

Amazon 19,89€

 

[Octopuss]

I ended up ordering the C270. It's an internet purchase, so I'll have two weeks to return it without any questions asked.

 

[xBruce88x]

The local dollar stores and such usually have basic 640x480 to 720p sometimes for around $15. Gearhead makes ok stuff for the price

 

[Octopuss]

Holy shit that webcam is crappy as hell! I guess the image quality is "ok" for low lighting, but I am not sure it's truly 720p. I could live with that though. What makes it absolutely useless is the lag. It's very noticeable and makes things extremely weird. I'll try again tomorrow during the day, but I'm afraid it's the way it works.

 

[sneekypeet]

you either got a bum camera or something in the software is off. I have had one of these for years, and while low light sucks on any camera without nightvision, the software I use has no lag, and the camera image is definitely clean and 720p.

 

[Octopuss]

Turned out some of the lag is caused by OBS (Open Broadcast Software), compared to just watching my ugly face in the Logitech software.

The other part of the lag is apparently due to high expectations from a device with this price tag, lol.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

Turned out some of the lag is caused by OBS (Open Broadcast Software), compared to just watching my ugly face in the Logitech software.

The other part of the lag is apparently due to high expectations from a device with this price tag, lol.

Could you elaborate on this? I could use a webcam. Still don't recommend it?

 

[Octopuss]

I am not sure. I can't really tell. I think the streaming software in question adds slight lag to the video produced by the camera. When I try from within Logitech's software, it looks ok enough. I guess it works fine considering I only tried in low lighting thus far.

The webcam is decently cheap, so I guess I was expecting miracles I guess the video quality is on par with the price.
Long story short: after some consideration, I'll keep it. I don't really believe something twice as expensive would give me twice as good image quality.