Wednesday, September 1, 2010

How Do Wireless Web Cams Work

Introduction


Wireless webcams are used for security purposes, and allow you to take pictures and video further away from your computer. They can be used to monitor outdoor and indoor property to help keep your home or business safe. Wireless webcams are also used by families, so they can keep an eye on kids in other rooms, and make sure that they are safe.


Cameras








A wireless webcam is a compact camera that is able to transmit pictures and video directly to your computer. It has a small lens in the front, which captures light by using light detectors known as charge-coupled devices (CCDs). The CCD is able to convert the picture into a digital format, which consists of a string of zeros and ones that your computer can understand. The webcam captures the image and is able to transfer it to your computer; the wireless capability is set up by using a router that connects to both the computer and camera.








Software


The software in your computer allows you to capture the images and video in your web cam. Depending on the type of camera, you have will rely on your software settings, which will depend on the reason for using the wireless webcam; if you are using the camera to stream video, then the frame rate will need to be set at a high level, like 24 frames per second. If you just want to take pictures, then it can be set at a lower level. A reliable and fast connection to the Internet is necessary, so that the images from the webcam stay up-to-date.


Best Wireless Web Cams


The best wireless webcams, like Logitech's 960 series, can be powered by both a battery and the computer's power supply. Make sure that it is able to produce at least 24 frames per second, to avoid blurry pictures or ones that skip. The top wireless webcams will produce at least 30 frames per second. Wireless webcams come with either a glass or plastic lens, but ones made of glass offer better quality. If you are going to use your webcam for communicating purposes, then you want to make sure that there is a built-in microphone.

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