Webcam Styles
- A common style of webcam is the built-in variety, which appears as a small lens located above the screen of your computer. Built-in webcams are available for both laptop and desktop computer models. They are ideal because you don't have to go to the expense of buying and installing an external webcam. If your computer already has a webcam built into it, the camera will be recognized quickly by any video chat program you use.
- External webcams are often sold on their own, rather than as part of a computer, and owners must install them. This style of webcam takes several different forms, but many are circular or square. They are movable to allow you to position the lens of the camera correctly. You typically place this kind of webcam on the top of your monitor; when you're talking to the person on your screen, the camera is aimed directly at you. External webcams have the same features are their internal counterparts, but they require a software installation prior to use.
- One of the issues with a traditional external webcam is that its base may be wider than the top of your monitor, especially if you use a flat screen monitor. When this fit is less than ideal, the camera can easily fall off, which can be a nuisance during a conversation and potentially lead to damage to the camera. A useful alternative is a clip-on webcam, which has a similar appearance to a traditional webcam, but it has a mounting bracket on its underside. You can open this bracket, place the webcam on the top of your monitor and tighten the bracket to ensure the camera remains in place.
- Webcams commonly shoot in standard definition quality. If you use a webcam for frequent video chatting or even for your business, investing in a high definition model is ideal. These cameras are available in a variety of styles, including models that clip to the top of your monitor. Their defining trait is that they'll shoot 30 frames per second at a resolution of 1,280 by 720 pixels.