(WEB CAMera) A video camera that attaches to a computer typically via USB or that is built into a laptop or desktop screen. It is used mostly for videophoning over networks such as Skype as well as to continuously monitor an activity and deliver the video to a Web server for public or private viewing. Webcams have been set up that stream video continuously to a Web site, capturing virtually anything, including a dorm room, a street corner, an interesting outdoor view and, of course, pornography, the latter inspiring programmers in the 1990s to greatly improve Webcam software.
Webcams purchased as separate peripherals generally have a microphone built into the camera body, or an external mike is part of the package. If a laptop or desktop computer comes with a Webcam, the microphone is included.
Webcam Vs. Network Camera
A Webcam attaches to a computer, whereas a "network camera" hooks into an Ethernet network. The network camera offers higher resolutions for the same applications as a Webcam, but tends to be more costly (see network camera). See lifecasting and spycam.
Webcams purchased as separate peripherals generally have a microphone built into the camera body, or an external mike is part of the package. If a laptop or desktop computer comes with a Webcam, the microphone is included.
Webcam Vs. Network Camera
A Webcam attaches to a computer, whereas a "network camera" hooks into an Ethernet network. The network camera offers higher resolutions for the same applications as a Webcam, but tends to be more costly (see network camera). See lifecasting and spycam.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- WebcamMax 5.5.0.6 (Windows)
- With WebcamMax, you can add videos, pictures and effects to virtual & real web cam and show them to others on messengers. It works on all Web cam programs (MSN, Yahoo, Camfrog, YouTube, ICQ, AIM, Skype, Paltalk, ANYwebcam, Stickam). You can add a variety of effects over webcam and change...
- Software downloads 2009-11-06
- MSN Recorder Max 4.1.7.2 (Windows)
- MSN Recorder Max enables you to record your favorite MSN chatmate's webcam video or capture the whole MSN conversation easily and instantly. It supports all versions of MSN and Windows Live Messenger. All the videos can be captured in real time while chatting on MSN video call. Needless to select...
- Software downloads 2009-11-06
- Eyeball Chat 3.2 (Windows)
- Eyeball Chat allows you to communicate face-to-face over the Internet for free. All you need is an Internet connection and a Webcam to connect with friends and family worldwide. The Contact List allows you to see which of your contacts are online at anytime, so you can instantly engage in...
- Software downloads 2009-11-06
- Revisiting the Motorola Droid on Verizon [Q&A]
- Why the hate for drag and drop?Almost every review I have read faults the Droid because you can't auto-sync music:"(You can dump your music on a microSD card and pop it in, but it?s a copy-paste files affair, not a ?load my music? integrated experience.)"The Droid ships with a 16...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-05
- Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980
- You can't argue with a large-screen, value-priced laptop when it delivers good performance, and looks nice to boot. We appreciated the Toshiba Satellite A505-S6960 when we reviewed it in our 2009 back-to-school retail roundup, liking its affordability, large screen, strong battery life, and excellent-sounding speakers. Just a few months later,...
- Product reviews 2009-11-04
- Video Capture Master 7.1.0.198 (Windows)
- Do you want to grab real-time video or image? Video Capture Master is a useful application that enables you to record video and image from video devices in real time. Video Capture Master is a hot piece of application designed to suit your needs. With it you can effortlessly record...
- Software downloads 2009-11-04
- Micro Video Capture 7.0.0.658 (Windows)
- With Micro Video Capture, you can record video and image from Webcam, TV tuner card, digital camera and other capture devices in real time, and all captured video files can be saved as AVI format by using any compression codec. What's more, it enables you to set each capture device's...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- Booxter 2.1.3 (Mac)
- Booxter is an application to help you manage your collections of books, music, movies, and comic books. Booxter gathers book information from various sources on the internet to allow you to view, edit, sort, categorize, export, and print books of interest to you. With Booxter you can: add items one...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- BB FlashBack Standard Edition 2.6.5.1314 (Windows)
- This easy-to-use screen recorder creates compact, high quality movies for tutorials, demos and presentations. Enhance your recordings with text, sound, images, webcam and special effects. Easy sharing with quick upload to Youtube and other video hosting sites. Save to common file formats: Flash, QuickTime (H264), AVI, WMV. Captures Vista's 'Aero'...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- What to look for in a Mini-HD camcorder
- Couple of thingsI have a Memorex small HD camcorder, looks similar to the Flip, bought cheap & works OK.2 annoyances: first, the digital "zoom" can't change while it is recording -- i.e., you have to set the zoom while NOT recording, then hit the record button. Not sure how...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- Video2Webcam 3.0.8.6 (Windows)
- Video2webcam enables you to show video clips as virtual Webcam during video chat whether you own a real Webcam or not. You could either share your home-made video clips easily with your friends while chatting on line or make fun of them by pretending to be somebody else. With it,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- Webcam 1-2-3 3.22a (Windows)
- Webcam 1-2-3 enables you to create high video and audio for streaming. All you need is an Internet PC and a video camera. Webcam 1-2-3 automatically creates Web page for you. No additional or few knowledge of programming are needed to publish your Web page. Viewers can view the broadcast...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- Webcam Watchdog 4.66a (Windows)
- Webcam Watchdog enables you to create high quality video for streaming and recording video at the same time. When Webcam Watchdog detects motion in the area being monitored by your web camera, it can sound an alarm and e-mail you the captured image. All surveillance images can be viewed using...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- BB FlashBack Express Free Edition 2.6.5 (Windows)
- This easy-to-use free screen recorder creates compact, high quality movies for tutorials, demos and presentations. Record screen, sound and webcam. Easy sharing with quick upload to Youtube and other video hosting sites. Save movies as AVI or Flash. Captures Vista's 'Aero' graphics. Radical new technology means a perfect capture of...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- BB FlashBack Professional Edition 2.6.5 (Windows)
- This easy-to-use screen recorder creates compact, high quality movies for tutorials, demos and presentations. Enhance your recordings with text, sound, images, webcam and special effects. Easy sharing with quick upload to Youtube and other video hosting sites. Save to common file formats: Flash, QuickTime (H264), AVI, WMV or standalone EXE....
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- LiteCam 2.98 (Windows)
- LiteCam is an easy to use screen recorder which allows you to capture videos from your screen into a compact AVI file at virtually the same quality! You can save streaming movies, news broadcasts, Webcam shows, chat conversations or just about anything else you can see on your screen. Use...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- 1AVCenter 2.0.9 (Windows)
- 1AVCenter is an all-in-one media program that allows you to record your entire screen or part of it directly to AVI or WMV, capture screenshots in JPG, broadcast your screen over the internet, remotely monitor your webcam or computer desktop, broadcast your webcam with audio, record audio from any source...
- Software downloads 2009-10-27
- Toshiba Satellite T135-S1310
- How much of a difference does a single-core versus dual-core ultralow-voltage processor make on a thin-and-light these days? You may not be paying attention under the hood--and that's not your fault, because it's hard to notice the differences based on processor name and Intel sticker-logos--but you should know that it...
- Product reviews 2009-10-22
- Dell Inspiron One 19 debuts in Japan
- While it's not available yet or even visible on Dell's North American websites, Japan got first grabs to the new Dell Inspiron One 19 desktop system. All-in-one and looking much like the iMac just in black, its definitely more sleek and attractive...
- Blog posts 2009-10-22
- LozaLock 3.1.1 (Windows)
- Anti-Theft Data Protection that collects and stores evidence about who has been trying to break into your computer. LozaLock will remotely alert you if your computer is under attack. Send e-mails to a predefined e-mail address at any unsuccessful attempt to unlock the computer. Take a Webcam picture of the...
- Software downloads 2009-10-22
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
Popular Sanity Saver Videos
