How to Set up a Webcam
Webcams are useful and exciting tools in the modern workplace. The webcam can be utilised to create better communications between yourself and your clients, or for building rapport from one company branch or office no matter where you are based. But how to install a webcam? follow the guidelines below:
Steps
1. Purchase the right webcam. There are many different kinds available:
- Video-conferencing cameras are made to plug into the computer so you can chat with someone while recording simultaneously. They usually cost $30-50.
- A monitoring webcam has its own little Web server built in and is designed to transmit images through the Internet so you can watch someone or something. They’re usually upwards of $200. To install one, you’ll need an Internet-sharing router with Wi-Fi support.
- If you’re using the camera for security or monitoring purposes, consider purchasing a wireless model. Look for wireless 802.11b/g with support for WEP or WPA/WPA2 encryption.
- Additional features to consider: o external microphone, o motion sensor, o e-mail alerts plus a clip or still image of an event that trips the motion sensor, o remote-accessible pan/tilt/zoom so you can log into the camera on the Internet and move its view around, including zoom, o bundled software for handling multiple cameras.
2. Back up the computer’s hard drive before installing anything, just in case. That way, if anything goes wrong with the installation, you won’t lose any data.
3. Check for an updated version of the webcam software online. If there is an updated version, use that instead.
4. Read and follow the quick-start guide. You’ll be instructed to load the webcam software, and it will tell you when to plug in the webcam with a USB cable. If you plug in the webcam at the wrong time, that’ll cause problems. If that does happen, here’s what to do:
- Uninstall existing camera installations (Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs)
- Unplug the webcam
- Reboot the computer
- Load the webcam installation software again, and this time, wait until you’re prompted before you plug in the USB cable!
5. Tell your computer what to do with the images. You have a few different options here, depending on what kind of webcam you have:
- How to Stream Your Webcam
- Send periodic snapshots to a website
- Go face-to-face while chatting
Tips
- Even though many models can take images at regular VGA resolution (640×480) that setting can slow your frame rate (the speed with which the webcam takes pictures and sends them through the Internet).
- If you’re using the webcam to take snapshots when motion is detected, be sure to leave enough storage space in your computer to accommodate that possibility. A good rule of thumb is 2GB of space per camera.
- Test your webcam, go to Testmycam.com
Warnings
- If there are kids in the house, take steps to make sure they don’t use the webcam inappropriately (e.g. interacting with creepy strangers using the webcam).
