Video Cam Netcam
January 4, 2000
Q: I was wondering if it is possible to use a camcorder as a netcam. If so, what video card would be the best?
A: Not only is it possible to use a video camera in lieu of a netcam, but the video camera will produce a better picture.
Netcams are inexpensive for a reason. They have a fixed focal length, no special features, and they serve one purpose: to get your image across the Internet. Camcorders cost hundreds of dollars, have lots of features, and provide a better-quality picture. Whether you can use your camcorder with your equipment depends on how you are using your netcam.
There are many video-capture cards on the market that allow you to hook the video camera directly into your computer. The video-capture card turns the analog data from your video camera into bits that the computer can process.
Our favorite video-capture card is the Winov Videum AV
(http://www.winnov.com/products/videumavpci.htm ). Once you have installed the card and drivers, it is merely a matter of connecting the video camera via RCA jack to RCA and your software should recognize the video camera.
Will a Camcorder Produce a Better Picture Than a Netcam?
April 29, 1999
Q: Will my netcam picture look better if I use a camcorder?
-- Joe from Beaver Dam, Kentucky
A: A camcorder will definitely give you a better picture than a netcam. Netcams are inexpensive for a reason. They have a fixed focal length, no special features, and they serve one purpose: to get your image across the Internet. Camcorders cost hundreds of dollars, have lots of features, and provide a better quality picture. Whether you can use your camcorder with your equipment depends on how you are using your netcam.
If you have a USB netcam, you are out of luck because camcorders don't use the USB port to act like a netcam. If you are using a video capture card with standard inputs like our Bigpicture, then it will be no problem. The Bigpicture has composite video outputs so all you need is a video RCA-to-RCA cord. Simply plug it into the camcorder, plug the other end into the back of the Bigpicture and you should get a picture immediately. Not only should you get a much better picture, but you can use all the features of your camcorder.
Find out whether you are using a video capture card and whether you can plug the same video outputs into your camcorder and Bigpicture. If so, it is an easy connection and the quality will be greatly improved.
From techtv.com/callforhelp
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