Ok I want to get a webcam but have decided that I want a camcorder as my webcam since it will offer better quality & mobility.

But I dont know anything about them or what specs to look for.

I do know my budget is $250.

Here are two links with the camcorders in that price range:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....c=abcat0400000

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0%20-%20%24300

But what kind of cable do I need to use to be able to stream high quality video? Firewire or USB 2.0?

If I need to go firewire, I've only found two that list that they do:

The Sony MiniDV & the Canon MiniDV.

But those are the mini cassette tapes I think I would prefer a harddrive/memory stick alternative. But I want as high quality as I can, but prefer the size of a memory stick to a Mini cassette tape.

What are my real options?

How much quality loss (if any) do you really get from miniDV to flash drive/memory card?

The Panasonic (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9244196&type=product&id=1218066283948&AID=10597222&PID=3136390&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage.jsp%3FskuI d%3D9244196%26type%3Dproduct%26id%3D1218066283948&ref=39&loc=01) seems to offer the best specs overall in the price range I'm trying to stay around in the flash/memory stick category.

It does say here (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorders/SD-Camcorders/model.SDR-S26K.S_11002_7000000000000005702) that it records in MPEG2 format, so that will actually give me much better quality than most flash drives that record in MPEG4 right?

If I am going to go with a MiniDV I will end up getting this Sony (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8661959&type=product&id=1196470790863) as it seems to have the best specs in the price range I'm looking for in the MiniDV category.

What do you guys think? Will that Panasonic flash/memory cam give me the same high quality that the Sony MiniDV will?

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You guys think this is a better camera over the Panasonic?

http://camcorders.toptenreviews.com/flash/samsung/samsung-samsung-sc-mx20-user-reviews-23864.htm

Here are all the choices in the specs & price range.

Which one do you guys suggest for a webcam/VoIP?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2075540205%201179943254&CompareItemList=N82E16830145107%2CN82E16830179230%2CN82E1683 0180239%2CN82E16830144244%2CN82E16830144213%2CN82E1683014421 2&page=2&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True

It does say here (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorders/SD-Camcorders/model.SDR-S26K.S_11002_7000000000000005702) that it records in MPEG2 format, so that will actually give me much better quality than most flash drives that record in MPEG4 right?


At the same bitrate, MPEG-4 is likely better quality these days, but it depends on other things in the camcorder. Most HD cameras use some kind of MPEG-4, at least in the consumer world, and offer pretty great video these days. In SD, most serious camcorders have done MPEG-2 for years, and only recently have they started using MPEG-4 in SD models... so I'd be a little skeptical.

Editing HD video in MPEG-4 is a problem on just about any PC, but in SD, it should not matter much.

The big issue would be webcam use, since that's one of your applications. Not every model has a webcam mode, and those that do, particularly over USB, will probably deliver the video at reduced quality. You should check into the specifics on that to ensure that reduced quality is still high enough for you, if you intend to stream quality video in realtime.


If I am going to go with a MiniDV I will end up getting this Sony (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8661959&type=product&id=1196470790863) as it seems to have the best specs in the price range I'm looking for in the MiniDV category.


One advantage here... just about any DV camcorder can stream full quality video (eg, the best it can do) over Firewire.


What do you guys think? Will that Panasonic flash/memory cam give me the same high quality that the Sony MiniDV will?

I would read reviews.. they both offer essentially the same video encoding quality (eg, the Panny's doing MPEG-2 up to 10Mb/s, which will compare favorably to DV at 25Mb/s). Without reading detailed reviews (and one should), I would bet the Sony has a slightly better chip... 1/6" versus 1/8" on the Panasonic. On the other hand, the Panny is new, thus, new sensor technology.. the Sony came out in 2005. The Panny also has a monster 70x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, the Sony the typical 40x zoom with digital-only stabilization, far as I can tell. For that, and the ease of flash media, I'd chose the Panasonic over the Sony if it were me.

But double-check on the Panasonic for webcam use.

Reviews:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-with-panasonics-70x-sdr-s26
http://www.productwiki.com/panasonic-sdr-s26/
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/camcorders
/panasonic-sdr-s26-561668/review

http://www.productwiki.com/sony-dcr-hc52/

At the same bitrate, MPEG-4 is likely better quality these days, but it depends on other things in the camcorder. Most HD cameras use some kind of MPEG-4, at least in the consumer world, and offer pretty great video these days. In SD, most serious camcorders have done MPEG-2 for years, and only recently have they started using MPEG-4 in SD models... so I'd be a little skeptical.

But isnt MPEG4 a higher compression, therefore giving me a lower quality video in the end if & when its edited? So you're saying the MPEG2 is better for the flash right now since its more refined?



The big issue would be webcam use, since that's one of your applications. Not every model has a webcam mode, and those that do, particularly over USB, will probably deliver the video at reduced quality. You should check into the specifics on that to ensure that reduced quality is still high enough for you, if you intend to stream quality video in realtime.

So how do I tell if it has a "webcam mode"? I see a lot of these cameras are "youtube" cameras, but I'm not sure if that means they can stream live, or if that just means they have a 10 minute function on there?

This list at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2075540205%201179943254&CompareItemList=N82E16830145107%2CN82E16830179230%2CN82E1683 0180239%2CN82E16830144244%2CN82E16830144213%2CN82E1683014421 2&page=2&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True)doesnt list webcam modes?


One advantage here... just about any DV camcorder can stream full quality video (eg, the best it can do) over Firewire.

I know DV is better quality, but storing a bunch of tapes in a draw is not my style. I'm all digital. And I do backups so I'm not worried about losing data.


I would read reviews.. they both offer essentially the same video encoding quality (eg, the Panny's doing MPEG-2 up to 10Mb/s, which will compare favorably to DV at 25Mb/s). Without reading detailed reviews (and one should), I would bet the Sony has a slightly better chip... 1/6" versus 1/8" on the Panasonic. On the other hand, the Panny is new, thus, new sensor technology.. the Sony came out in 2005. The Panny also has a monster 70x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, the Sony the typical 40x zoom with digital-only stabilization, far as I can tell. For that, and the ease of flash media, I'd chose the Panasonic over the Sony if it were me.

So how many MB/s should I be targeting with a flash drive? The 70x zoom is nice, but I'd rather have a camera that does better quality up close vs being able to see far.

http://www.productwiki.com/sony-dcr-hc52/[/QUOTE]

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I'm still clueless on this. I've come up with nothing.

Can no one help me?

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First of all I think that you should get a high definition camcorder because getting standard definition is like getting a black and white television. The Sony Webbie has 2 form factors. The less expensive one looks like a cell phone and the more expensive one looks like a small camcorder. The Sony Webbie that looks like a camcorder has only a 5 power zoom so that is why it is so cheap. However you must remember that the resolution is 4 times greater so the effective zooming will actually be the equivalent of a 20 power zoom. The Webbie is a good value for under $200 however if you are willing to pay $300 there will be better choices.

So you're saying the Sony HD webbie that looks like a camcorder will give me a better picture than the other SD cameras I was looking at?

So if the Sony HD webbie is the best for under $200, what options do I have for the $300 & less mark?

Remember, this MUST be able to act as a live streaming webcam.

The sony Webbie can do that right?

Will an actual webcam give me better video quality?

Should I just get a top of the line webcam for around $100 & then just save up to get a better HD camcorder?

I was trying to get a cam to do double duty but it doesnt seem as if my budget & technology can do it right.

What do you guys think?

A top line webcam or a Sony Webbie?

As of right now, my MAIN focus is it acting as a webcam, so I would really like the best quality I can since I'll be doing business via the webcam & VoIP.

thanks.

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First of all I think that you should get a high definition camcorder because getting standard definition is like getting a black and white television. The Sony Webbie has 2 form factors. The less expensive one looks like a cell phone and the more expensive one looks like a small camcorder. The Sony Webbie that looks like a camcorder has only a 5 power zoom so that is why it is so cheap. However you must remember that the resolution is 4 times greater so the effective zooming will actually be the equivalent of a 20 power zoom. The Webbie is a good value for under $200 however if you are willing to pay $300 there will be better choices.

So you're saying the Sony HD webbie that looks like a camcorder will give me a better picture than the other SD cameras I was looking at?

So if the Sony HD webbie is the best for under $200, what options do I have for the $300 & less mark?

Remember, this MUST be able to act as a live streaming webcam.

The sony Webbie can do that right?

Will an actual webcam give me better video quality?

Should I just get a top of the line webcam for around $100 & then just save up to get a better HD camcorder?

I was trying to get a cam to do double duty but it doesnt seem as if my budget & technology can do it right.

What do you guys think?

A top line webcam or a Sony Webbie?

As of right now, my MAIN focus is it acting as a webcam, so I would really like the best quality I can since I'll be doing business via the webcam & VoIP.

thanks.

Am I able to access any particular webcam remotely on my iPhone?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010290152%204802&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16826104255%2CN82E16826104074%2CN82E1682 6104087%2CN82E16826105321

There is a comparision I have on NE.

Whats a better choice, the Microsoft camera becaus its 720p - which is HD right?

Or the logitech 1600x1200?

Whats a better resolution?

I'm leaning towards teh Quickcam Orbit right now by logitech.

What do you guys think?

No, 1600x1200 is better than 750p

Ok so the Logitech orbit wins so far then.

But my only concern is the Orbit seems more of a "look up at you view" type of camera where one you would clip on your monitor would be a "Straight view"

Wouldnt the "look up at you view" hinder how people view you vs straight on by clipping it on your monitor?

Does anyone know if the Logitechs 9000 or the Orbit will produce a better picture & live video than this Sony Webbie HD (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9284721&type=product&id=1218074325026&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9284721) will?

I'd still like a double duty camcorder, but the Sony Webbie HD is the only one that can do that. But if its not better, then I'm going with the logitech for sure.

I went today to check out the two Logitech models Orbit & 9000, and I'm still torn on which setup I want.

The Orbit seems more of a "look up at you view"

Or the monitor clip on giving you a "Straight view"

Does anyone have an opinion one way or another?

I ended up going with the Orbit AF, I hope it was a good choice.

The only thing that kinda sucks is the footprint, but then again that footprint allows it to do the rotating & telescoping.