AKB: Webcam questions

[Op2]

I spent two hours on Amazon looking at webcams and it's all so confusing. The AKB advice cuts through the BS and gets right to the point.

So here's what I need. I need a webcam for my home desktop. Nothing fancy, but nothing crappy either.

A lot of the ones I see on Amazon had like a 90 angle view, which is nice if you're in a big room with a bunch of people, but if you're alone or with a couple people at most in your house then I don't really want or need the webcam capture the entire room. So maybe a narrower angle would be better.

Also, I wonder if I should get one with speakers. In my current setup I'm running my computer through my TV and soundbar so I don't need speakers on my webcam, but that may not always be the case so maybe it would be best for me to get a webcam with speakers and then in the future, no matter what my setup is I'll be assured of having speakers with my webcam.

Thoughts on this or plusses and minuses of your webcam setup are appreciated.

All Hail, Great AKB!

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

I bought my wife who is a teacher a web cam several month ago as she was unhappy with the one her school had provided for virtual teaching. She is very happy with the one I got. It is a logitech C920S HD web cam. I got it at Best Buy. Plug and play, it has a very nice picture.

 

[Pardlion]

I spent two hours on Amazon looking at webcams and it's all so confusing. The AKB advice cuts through the BS and gets right to the point.

So here's what I need. I need a webcam for my home desktop. Nothing fancy, but nothing crappy either.

A lot of the ones I see on Amazon had like a 90 angle view, which is nice if you're in a big room with a bunch of people, but if you're alone or with a couple people at most in your house then I don't really want or need the webcam capture the entire room. So maybe a narrower angle would be better.

Also, I wonder if I should get one with speakers. In my current setup I'm running my computer through my TV and soundbar so I don't need speakers on my webcam, but that may not always be the case so maybe it would be best for me to get a webcam with speakers and then in the future, no matter what my setup is I'll be assured of having speakers with my webcam.

Thoughts on this or plusses and minuses of your webcam setup are appreciated.

All Hail, Great AKB!

I have one that fits perfectly in the ceiling light fixture of the ladies changing room. Highly recommended.

 

[PS4814]

I have one that fits perfectly in the ceiling light fixture of the ladies changing room. Highly recommended.

 

[Op2]

Aw, come on now. I've gone this long without one and I'd never get one except I might have a job interview and if I do I'm pretty sure they'll expect me to have one, although if anyone has other thoughts on that subject I'd be interested to hear them. Will it count against me if I come up for a job interview and I can't even interview on camera? I'm guessing it would.

 

[bison13]

I spent two hours on Amazon looking at webcams and it's all so confusing. The AKB advice cuts through the BS and gets right to the point.

So here's what I need. I need a webcam for my home desktop. Nothing fancy, but nothing crappy either.

A lot of the ones I see on Amazon had like a 90 angle view, which is nice if you're in a big room with a bunch of people, but if you're alone or with a couple people at most in your house then I don't really want or need the webcam capture the entire room. So maybe a narrower angle would be better.

Also, I wonder if I should get one with speakers. In my current setup I'm running my computer through my TV and soundbar so I don't need speakers on my webcam, but that may not always be the case so maybe it would be best for me to get a webcam with speakers and then in the future, no matter what my setup is I'll be assured of having speakers with my webcam.

Thoughts on this or plusses and minuses of your webcam setup are appreciated.

All Hail, Great AKB!

Starting a FANS ONLY page?

 

[slykens]

Starting a FANS ONLY page?

Only if they get the 4K camera!

 

[Dixi]

I'm in the same boat. For the last 12 months I've been working in my home office without the need for one, but our company was recently purchased and I needed one for the new company that apparently wants everyone on camera for meetings. Earlier today I purchased a $20 Corlitec model that I'm guessing may not work well for audio. Colleagues tell me they've had trouble finding a webcam with great audio and most are using a separate mic.

 

[PS4814]

Aw, come on now. I've gone this long without one and I'd never get one except I might have a job interview and if I do I'm pretty sure they'll expect me to have one, although if anyone has other thoughts on that subject I'd be interested to hear them. Will it count against me if I come up for a job interview and I can't even interview on camera? I'm guessing it would.

I was going to post a response to the Only Fans comment but if you want real assistance my first question is a logistical one. You said you use your tv as your monitor so I’d be curious if you have a regular monitor at a desk you could use, otherwise trying to mount a webcam on a television that is across the room could have multiple issues.

I'm in the same boat. For the last 12 months I've been working in my home office without the need for one, but our company was recently purchased and I needed one for the new company that apparently wants everyone on camera for meetings. Earlier today I purchased a $20 Corlitec model that I'm guessing may not work well for audio. Colleagues tell me they've had trouble finding a webcam with great audio and most are using a separate mic.

To answer the audio question for you both I’d highly recommend purchasing iPods or a bluetooth headset/microphone combo. I picked up a pair of 2nd gen iPods as I was tired of being wired to my laptop and they’ve been the best purchase of the whole working from home ordeal. Not cheap but the flexibility and microphone quality have been beneficial, plus the privacy of not having my meetings broadcast to others in my house has been nice as well. Nothing super secret squirrel but just feels good to know the wife and kids don’t have to hear what’s going on.

 

[cment]

Starting a FANS ONLY page?

My friend just informed me it is "Only Fans", not "Fans Only.".

 

[bison13]

My friend just informed me it is "Only Fans", not "Fans Only.".

Guess your friend has more knowledge of that type of thing than me.....

 

[LafayetteBear]

Op2: C'mon now. You should be well aware that the FBI has installed secret webcams in all laptops and monitors so that it can spy on Americans as they surf the web. Particularly conservative Americans.

Imagine all the video the FBI has of guys accessing internet porn. ROFL ...

 

[Op2]

I was going to post a response to the Only Fans comment but if you want real assistance my first question is a logistical one. You said you use your tv as your monitor so I’d be curious if you have a regular monitor at a desk you could use, otherwise trying to mount a webcam on a television that is across the room could have multiple issues.

I have my desk in front of my 55" TV that I'm using as a computer monitor that I'm using as a makeshift work-from-home arrangement (for going on a year now). It's bigger than I need for a monitor, but it's good enough. But if I clip a camera to the top of it I'll be looking up at the camera since a 55" TV is pretty high. Or my other option is to just sit it on the desk in which case I'll be looking down at it.

 

[Nitt1300]

you may be able to pick up a good used one from Harvey Weinstein's estate- apparently he did a lot of recording

 

[heckmans]

I bought my wife who is a teacher a web cam several month ago as she was unhappy with the one her school had provided for virtual teaching. She is very happy with the one I got. It is a logitech C920S HD web cam. I got it at Best Buy. Plug and play, it has a very nice picture.

I'll 2nd the Logitech C920. Both my wife and I just got this model. Works well and easy to set up. It can be clipped to the top of your display or act like a tripod and sit on a flat surface. I chose it because it has a microphone embedded. I don't think speakers are a necessary worry as it will add size and cost and frankly, you'll generally have options for speakers attached to the DT, embedded in your laptop, or be using headphones.
Webcams are in short supply. A few weeks ago this one was in stock at Target and Best Buy. Good luck!

 

[PS4814]

I have my desk in front of my 55" TV that I'm using as a computer monitor that I'm using as a makeshift work-from-home arrangement (for going on a year now). It's bigger than I need for a monitor, but it's good enough. But if I clip a camera to the top of it I'll be looking up at the camera since a 55" TV is pretty high. Or my other option is to just sit it on the desk in which case I'll be looking down at it.

Aie, neither of those are good options, but some laptops do have the camera built into the bottom of their screen to I’d say attaching at the bottom of your tv and looking down would be more “normal”. Another idea could be to get some books or something and making a stand that is offset to the side but in front of the screen at face height. So you’d not necessarily be looking at the camera and screen at the same time, but it would give the illusion that you have a dual monitor setup which would make you seem more boss.

 

[MtNittany]

I remember when webcams were a place for a piece of black electrical tape. Simpler times, I guess.