Most of the desktops and laptops these days come with the built in webcam but these do not have the features as that of an external webcam. Embedded webcams are small in size so the multi-piece lens is not possible.  This results in the reduced image quality. In spite of the space consideration external webcam gives the high image qualities.

embedded webcam                                                                      external webcam

Only one-to-one communication is possible with the embedded webcam whereas external webcam deals with the wider fields and more than one person. Adjusting the position of camera is difficult in the embedded one compared to the external one which we can place in desired location. These two types can also be distinguished in terms of cost, focal length, stereo quality sound, light sensitivity and certification.

Webcam is a compact digital camera which works same as conventional digital camera but is designed to interact with the web pages and other internet pages. It captures the real time images through a tiny grid of light-detectors, known as charge-coupled device (CCD) from the location where it is placed. The CCD converts the image into digital format so that computer can access this data. Webcams don’t have the internal memory to store the images so it transmits the data immediately to the host device through the USB or other analog cable. Some of these devices also come with built in microphone for video calling.

Webcam does two things, capturing the image or video and to transfer it to the predestined device. Along with the digital camera these also come with the appropriate software to interact with the host device. Software allows the user to edit the images and to record the videos for particular duration. This software grabs the digital data from the camera at certain intervals of time. Depending on the frame rate, the number of pictures or video streaming is displayed on the computer or other display systems. Software receives the image frame from digital camera, converts it into JPEG file and finally sends it to the web server using the file transfer protocol (FTP). So before using this webcam, while working with the web, we need to do some configuration steps to upload the images and videos.

Before purchasing the webcam we have to consider the main features that are offered by it and those are described below.

It decides the quality of the picture or image. Most of the cameras provide the reasonable quality image.  It is good if we use 320*240 or 640*480 pixels. For better quality webcam should have 1280*720 resolutions.

This decides the speed at which the image moves on the screen. The minimum rate is 15 frames per second. The ideal rate is 30 FPS to have the better video streaming.  This requires the speed of the internet to be enough.

It allows the various options like digital zoom, side-to-side and up-to–down movements, always facing straight towards the screen. This is the advanced feature of the webcams.

This feature offers voice recording along with the corresponding motion appearance. This is helpful while doing the video chat. Types of microphone depend on the required quality of the data or video.

The webcam should have facility to be placed at convenient places like walls, top of the screen on the desktop/PC. Simple construction allows the user to use conveniently in well-suited places.

Modern webcams comes with the glass lens and plastic lens. Compared to the glass lens, plastic lens types are of high cost.

If the webcam is used for the capturing the images or videos during the night time or low light conditions, it should have the features of optimized image quality in poor light conditions.

Webcams are extensively used in wide variety of the application for image capturing and recording of the captured data. Some of the application areas are listed below.

Webcams are used to monitor the unauthorized entries and motion detection of the authorized things to improve the security. These are also improves the communication over the various clients in the offices through online chatting.

Every section of the bank is monitored by the webcams. Video files are transferred and stored to the main server for future investigation purpose. This increases the security while identifying the people and mischief things.

This adds advantage to the instant messaging by allowing visibility between the communicators. Webcams provide both one-to-one and conferencing communication features.

Space applications use webcams to capture the geographical positions of the satellites and other surfaces. Various space vehicles are fitted with this device to capture images of the various planets.

Robotic technology popularly uses webcams in certain dangerous places (of defense applications) to transfer the data to the main server over the web.

Webcams can provide good security at home by constant vigilance and monitoring of any visitor to the house. At night motion detection turns the alarm on and starts recording the video.

Webcams are also used as input devices for the user control applications and games. This allows the movement of the objects to control the operations on the specific applications. It tracks colors, shapes, models and other detections as input control.

Webcams can be used to record the vehicle movements, number of vehicles present, traffic situations, and accidental information and vehicle number plate details remotely through the web.