- High frame rate (for smooth, blur-free video)
- Motorized face tracking enables video chat without having to sit perfectly still
- Look for UVC (USB Video device Class) compliance as such a webcam can work on a variety of operating systems without any special drivers.
- Pick a known brand name (like Logitech, Creative Labs or Microsoft) as they are more likely to ensure driver availability in the years to come.
- Read online reviews (plentiful at YouTube) to see how well a particular model actually renders an image.
- Good mounting system (for attaching to laptop and desktop screens, resting on a desktop, or perching on a tripod)
- Built-in microphone should reproduce voice clearly.
- Widescreen aspect ratio (16×9) is a plus
- Network streaming capability can be useful for surveillance, baby monitoring, and web publishing
- Resolution—is the least important. A 5-megapixel webcam isn’t necessarily any better than a 1.3-megapixel model as it is unlikely that you will take still photos with an eyeball-cam tethered to your laptop.
HOW TO stretch the battery life of portable devices
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