Post 1: The Webcam

I figured I would break this up into two posts since I don't want to talk about my pet peeves and my new webcam at the same time!

Yesterday after I had finished volunteering at TSD's middle school, I went to Office Depot. I went there spicifically to buy a webcam. I have been wanting one for almost 6 months now, so I decided it was time. Disregard the fact that I also bought a chair... because... that wasn't on the list.

I did some research before making this purchase, as all good buyers do. And I had decided on buy this sucker!

The Logitech Webcam C600. At Office Depot this one cost About $70, but because I was in the market for a good webcam, and not just a decent one, I was prepared to spend the money. Then, just for kicks, I asked the sales guy what he thought about the available options. And he pointed me to this little number.

Lifecam Cinema. It is a Microsoft product. I am not usually one to steer away from products specifically because of a name, but ya know...Microsoft is more of a "computer program" company than a "quality webcam" company. But, the sales guy showed me that not only did it meet the same specs, but some of them were better than the Logitech. Well... ok. I can go with that.

Plus, this one was on sale. And newer. And (in my opinion) prettier. So, I did it. So much for preparing.

After a little snag with figuring out the associated software (The auto-focus is a nice feature, but when it keeps refocusing in the middle of a SIGNED video, it's almost useless, and hindering. ummm... the instructions were completely useless. If you buy this... you have to unclick the "TrueColor" option, to be able to see the properties window. At that point you can adjust the focus and other elements of the product. Who knew?! ), I am really loving it. It takes great video, as demonstrated in my previous blog video. I really needed something that was going to more than just "justice" for my signing. I needed a camera that would take crisp, big, video, and this definitely does. It also takes a pretty good picture, at 5mega pixels, it's the same size as some point&shoot cameras.

A lot of the extra features are pretty silly, but fun. I also got to webcam-chat with some one for the first time yesterday and that was really neat too, since we were able to sign to each other.

Over all, I am pleased with my purchase, but I wish that the software was a bit more intuitive, or that the instructions where a little bit more clear.