Any recommendations for a webcam (preferably with mike) for me to use with my PC and SWMBO with her laptop. She is interested in being able to do basic video-conferencing with other teachers and in chatting live to her sister in Holland. We are on 1 Meg broadband.

Can't comment on webcams Denis, but "later in the summer" your 1 Meg BB will become 1.5Meg for

I have a Logitech. It works alright, but you need a decent graphics card to get the best out of them I find.

As for broadband, Telewest Blueyounder are through May upgrading all 512k,1 and 2 meg cons by 50%..for free to. Mine is already done....1.5 meg really does fly.

Thanks for that info, Geoff. Of course I didn't know it already. :( I am considering the Logitech Quickcam Messenger as one webcam option.

Have a Creative one which I got for about 20 quid from PCWorld (cos I wanted it same day, obviously ). Seems to work well over 512k ADSL, although doesn't have a mike with it so I haven't tried sound.... My machine is a PIII-800 and have an ATI Radeon 7000 graphics card so nothing special by today's standards

Chris

A Denis asking about webcams ????????...........I think I read about you in the paper this week , you must be the original Dirty Den

A Denis asking about webcams ????????...........I think I read about you in the paper this week , you must be the original Dirty Den

Only 2 members use webcams? I'm not surprised really since when I searched for webcam tests, the first hit included favourite webcam sites. If I understood what I was seeing correctly, webcam world is inhabited by people (mainly female) who live in brightly lit rooms and can't afford much in the way of clothes. At least that is why I guess they are soliciting funds from anyone wishing to 'pop in' on them, so to speak. Anyway after that 'interesting' experience - during which SWMBO fortunately didn't bring me my evening mug of hot chocolate - I set to thinking why SWMBO has suddenly expressed an interest in a webcam. Leaving that aside, one thing which came to mind is that I would have to clean and dust the house much more often if we had one. But I digress....

Any more advice on what webcam to buy? And did I thank you for your kind comments, mellowyellow?

Denis,

I have a logitech thing, silver with mic, don't know which one but it's presently employed in "tit" watch...yup watching the blue tits and sparrows eat away all my hard earned cash. Happily destroying vast chucks of seed in the growing collection of seed feeders....

It's okay, no it's good, even used it in the car for a while to record drives/ traffic, holds up well.

As to speed only the upload will hurt, but as your above 128K it's no problem...plug and play to messenger is the best way to get going....I'll plug it into night and contact you...you can watch the tits feeding in the twilight...

So any logitech gets my vote as they seem to work...don't forget ffelan for a better than pcworld price Also one with built in mic is okay, but no harn as typically you need them a good bit away from you, so a cheap and cheerful boom or headset might be good...or it's eightys mobile WHATTTTTT YES I CAN SEE YOU SHARON all night long IMHO

I'll plug it into night and contact you...you can watch the tits feeding in the twilight...

Colin,

I don't think Denis is looking for that sort of Webcam adventure :naughty:

Speak for yourself, Geoff!

Well Denis, i'm shocked !! :eek:

recommend Logitech as they imho they are best webcams.

Me got this: Logitech'>www.techtalkradio.com/reviews/images/Quick4k/qc4000.gif]Logitech Pro 4000

Excellent piece of toy!

I managed to get the picture to work but I can't identify which Logitech webcam that is, Mikey. Was it UK-sourced and, if so, where from?

If you don't want to faff about with PC connections, software, etc. you can get network cameras. These are a bit more expensive, but are self-contained; the camera has a built-in webserver. It only needs a power supply and a network connection.

I had a chance to play with an Axis (http://www.axis.com) network camera at work a while ago; management were considering using them as security cameras in the server rooms.

(EDIT: I think I saw something about an optional audio module on the website)

I managed to get the picture to work but I can't identify which Logitech webcam that is, Mikey. Was it UK-sourced and, if so, where from?

sorry abt the link.... wanted to correct it but my network went down didnt have the opportunity to change it. Here's a better one!

logitech pro 4000

Here's a link to amazon, i think this is the best you would see on the internet. But if u do a good search you would probably find

I hear Leslie Grantham's got one for sale.

As for webcams, bloody creepy things. I tried to talk to my mate in the US with one going and it just freaked us both out. Useless objects.

kinda agree niki, nice to see what someone looks like but a still pic does that!