Orange Goblin under GNU Free Documentation License
An Internet camera, or webcam, lets you transmit video to the World Wide Web. Among other things, you can send images via email, transmit live video of yourself during video chats or show a live stream of your city or pet. Most video transmissions also include sound, which you can capture from an external microphone or from the one built into the webcam.
Instructions
1. Insert the webcam CD into your drive and then follow the instructions to install the software. If your camera requires an external cable, connect that cable to the output port of your camera. When prompted by the software, plug the cable into a computer port. (Most cameras use USB ports, though some require other formats such as Firewire.)
2. Put the camera where it can capture the best images. If you are using it for video chats, this position is typically at the top middle of your monitor. Avoid pointing the camera directly at highly reflective surfaces such as a mirror, which may cause distortion, or at very bright lights, which may wash out images.
3. Continue with the setup dialogues to adjust for such things as focus, image brightness and audio reception (if using a built-in mic). When you are done, a regular program window remains to show that the webcam is running. (You must typically always run this program to activate the device.) You can minimize this window as needed.
4. Test your installation by running any camera-dependent applications, such as Skype. Even though your webcam is already running, you may need to define it to your application by selecting it in the camera preferences of your application. You may then need to click an application camera button to activate the hardware. Don't forget to try still images as well as video. Adjust the setup as needed by returning to the camera program.
5. Use as much light as possible when filming interior shots (such as of yourself). Though many cameras can adjust for darkness, this task tends to slow down the video frame rate. You can prevent this by evenly lighting yourself as brightly as you can.
Tags: video chats, your application, your camera
