Need to upgrade PC camera?
Discussion
On the basis that I was doing few web chats I have an ultra cheap camera on my PC. It makes me look like I have the moon for a face.
I am about to do more video calls, so for vanity reasons and to look more professional, I am thinking of upgrading my setup. I still don't want to spend a fortune though.
Any suggestions please?
I tried a ring light and didn’t like the halo effect it made so opted for a square box led light (it may be a Jelly Comb light - I’d need to check) it’s USB powered with a built in battery and has a lot of intensity and warmth settings
It suctions onto the back of my Mac peeking above the top and illuminates very well. I wouldn’t be without it now.
I find a bright warm light gives the best image for my setup YMMV.
It suctions onto the back of my Mac peeking above the top and illuminates very well. I wouldn’t be without it now.
I find a bright warm light gives the best image for my setup YMMV.
x5tuu said:
I tried a ring light and didn’t like the halo effect it made so opted for a square box led light (it may be a Jelly Comb light - I’d need to check) it’s USB powered with a built in battery and has a lot of intensity and warmth settings
It suctions onto the back of my Mac peeking above the top and illuminates very well. I wouldn’t be without it now.
I find a bright warm light gives the best image for my setup YMMV.
I was wrong - it’s a LumeCube (their video conference light box kit). It suctions onto the back of my Mac peeking above the top and illuminates very well. I wouldn’t be without it now.
I find a bright warm light gives the best image for my setup YMMV.
https://lumecube.com/products/video-conference-lig...
I always leave the diffuser on to soften the warmth illumination.
I found that using the app Camo is great. If you have a mobile phone then this allows you to use it as a webcam. The free version goes up to 1080p IIRC but you can upgrade for about £50 which gives you 4K and a wireless connection amongst other things. I have an Android phone and a Macbook and it works great. I got a Magsafe adaptor for my phone and a Magsafe continuity cam mount that just hooks onto the laptop screen. If you have a desktop then you could just get a small tripod and phone mount.
Came to ask about a web cam for my son who has started a mostly on line degree course.
Thanks
GuyW said:
Nothing wrong with the C920, but times have moved on a bit.
The Logitech Brio is a good compromise between price - performance.
This one does get mostly good reviews but isn't plug & play. Are they that difficult to set up?The Logitech Brio is a good compromise between price - performance.
Thanks
Light is the really key thing, whatever camera you have. Tone down any light behind you, and get plenty in front of your face. Face a window if you can. I can't, so I have a blackout blind on the window behind, and bounce a big ringlight off the wall in front. Plenty of cheaper video lights available these days too intended for the streaming crowd.
C920 / 930 / Brio is fine for video calls, download the Logitech software for some controls including anti-flicker (US is 60hz mains, UK 50hz so lights can look flickery - switch the setting if so).
Big thing too is getting the camera at eye level. With a big monitor (or if you like them high) it can good to put the camera on a little tripod and put it in front of the screen, or in the middle if you use dual monitors, it gives a much more natural look.
C920 / 930 / Brio is fine for video calls, download the Logitech software for some controls including anti-flicker (US is 60hz mains, UK 50hz so lights can look flickery - switch the setting if so).
Big thing too is getting the camera at eye level. With a big monitor (or if you like them high) it can good to put the camera on a little tripod and put it in front of the screen, or in the middle if you use dual monitors, it gives a much more natural look.
I watched a video a while ago where a bloke tested about 11 of the most popular budget webcams for image and microphone quality, and the result was the Aukey LM1E webcam was easily the best, beating even the tried and tested Logitech C920.
The mic on the Aukey is extremely good, and the picture quality is excellent, despite the £20 price. I bought one and could not be happier with it. Completely bonkers that it costs £20 to be honest. I use it several times a day for Teams calls and I have had loads of comments from people saying they can't believe how clear the image is, and even saying they can read the titles on the spines of books on the bookshelf behind me.
Highly recommended. I can't honestly see what I would gain from having something more expensive. I suspect that I would only see an improvement if I spent £200 or more on something.
The test is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlvykVRBrsc
The mic on the Aukey is extremely good, and the picture quality is excellent, despite the £20 price. I bought one and could not be happier with it. Completely bonkers that it costs £20 to be honest. I use it several times a day for Teams calls and I have had loads of comments from people saying they can't believe how clear the image is, and even saying they can read the titles on the spines of books on the bookshelf behind me.
Highly recommended. I can't honestly see what I would gain from having something more expensive. I suspect that I would only see an improvement if I spent £200 or more on something.
The test is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlvykVRBrsc
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