What do you mean you don’t have a webcam? Chatting in the dark is no fun! Aren’t you sick of using emoticons to express yourself? And wouldn’t you like to know if HotThaiDude69 is really all that hot?

There are three categories of webcam users: businesses that use webcams as a tool for meeting with clients and colleagues; organizations that use webcams with some kind of software for surveillance or security purposes; and people who use them for entertainment and casual purposes with friends and family. What you will use the webcam for will determine what kind of camera you should be shopping for. Here are some other characteristics to consider before buying a webcam:

• Lens. Getting a clear shot is an important thing, so don’t forget about image quality. Just like on a regular camera, the bigger the lens, the better the image can be. Focus is also important. If your camera has no changeable focus, there’s no point in getting a bigger lens—the quality will be the same as a small lens.

• Sensor. If image quality is very important to you, you should also test out how the camera processes light. Light sensors have two types: CMOS and CCD. CMOS is the general standard in the market, and the cameras can be made very compact. Those with CMOS are usually relatively inexpensive, but they also offer a lower quality image. CCD is the standard for higher quality instruments, but they are usually bulkier and more expensive.

• Image capture rate / fps (frames per second). This is the rate at which images are captured by the camera every second. If it’s a low number, your actions will be jerky and delayed when your friend sees you. The clear images you see on television with no jerkiness at all are recorded at 30fps, but of course, these better quality images also eat up more of your bandwidth. General users can go as low as 15fps, but will have to suffer a slight delay.

• Sound. Most cameras come with a built-in microphone but offer low quality sound. They will work OK for regular speech; however, if getting higher quality sound is important—for example with music or a multimedia presentaion—getting a camera with a better quality microphone is something to consider.

• Internet speed. In order to have a quick response without visual delay in your transmission, your internet connection speed should be over 200kb/second. This is why using a dial up internet connection (30 kb/s) with a webcam results in jerkiness in the image. Get broadband, baby.

• Space area. Webcams come in many different sizes and shapes so they can be used in a variety of applications. Some clamp onto your notebook or monitor, while others can be attached to the wall or ceiling. The function of the camera will determine the size and shape you need.

• Price and warranty. These things are important to consider in the purchase of any technology product. Make sure there is a service center near your home.

Little and Lively

This webcam from CREATIVE clamps onto your notebook and can rotate 180°. Image can also be rotated if needed. Video resolution: 640x480 pixels; still images 1.3 megapixels. Captures video at up to 30fps. Comes with software to organize and edit your photos and enable video messaging.

CREATIVE Live Cam Notebook Pro. B2,490. Hardware House International. 3/F, IT Mall Fortune. Ratchada Rd., 02-685-8939.

007’s Webcam

This webcam works best with PCs and can be mounted on notebook displays, CRT monitors, flat panel displays or on any flat surface. Comes with an ultra-wide angle lens with an 85° field of view. With smart face tracking, the camera can also automatically follow movement. 4x digital zoom. Software to organize and edit your photos and enable video messaging.

CREATIVE Live Cam Voice. B4,790. IT City, 5/F, Pantip Plaza. Petchburi Rd., 02-656-5030.

Sound & Vision

This product combines VGA performance with good audio sound quality. Video resolution 640x480 pixels; still image resolution 1.3 megapixels. Digital zoom, high quality built-in microphone and CMOS lens. Also comes with video effects software allowing you to play with your images while chatting. (What else you play with while chatting is your business.) Compatible with Windows or Mac OS.
2-year warranty.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000. B3,168. IT City. 4/F,
Siam Paragon, 02-610-9530/-6.

Photo Master

This webcam can create and edit videos and capture photos while traveling. It is integrated into a notebook mount so that it attaches to any notebook. Built with CMOS lens. Video resolution 1.3 megapixels, still photo resolution 4 megapixels. Digital zoom, high quality built-in microphone, video messaging. Also comes with video effects software allowing you to play with your images while chatting. Compatible with Windows 2000 and XP and Mac OS. 2-year warranty.

Logitech QuickCam Notebook Pro. B3,400. Accessory Supply Shop. 2/F (Room 250)., Pantip Plaza. Petchburi Rd., 02-255-2317.