How To Create Your Own Video Product - Part 1

When looking for a web cam or digital camera in order to produce a good quality video product, you will need one that is USB based or has firewire capabilities (preferred). That is, one which can be connected to your desktop or notebook computer. Then you have the ability to run different software applications that you wish to use, for example, video conferencing, and surveillance monitoring or even just for your own entertainment.

When looking for a good web cam, you may want to take a closer look at those produced by Creative Web Cam or Logitech Quick Cam. These companies offer a variety of different types of cameras, all of which are readily available. They offer low resolution instant messaging ones through higher resolution devices. They start at around $30 and can go up to as much as $150 for those with a pan and tilt control. However, there are some things which you should consider before you purchase your web cam.

Basic Design

These web cams are specifically designed for use with your desktop or notebook computer. They can either sit on the table or rest on a monitor. There are even some which can clamp on to your portable notebook screen, while others offer an adjustable base so that they can be used with both kinds of cameras.

Image and Resolution

The more simple types of web cam have a resolution of 352 x 288. This is good enough for basic video conferencing. Also, most web cams offer the user basic live video and still image capture at up to VGA resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. But there are some which use 1.3 megapixel image sensors, which offers higher quality and sharpness (this is extremely useful for still image grabs).

There are also others which are "software enhanced" in order to provide you with the highest resolution possible. However, most web cams offer full rate video capture at 30 frames per second. So this should be no problem for many computers today which come with a USB 2.0 interface. While there are others which offer you better sensitivity in low light and these are particularly good for video conferencing when sitting in a dark room or for use as a surveillance tool in the evening.

Lens and Focus

There are some web cams which come with fixed focus, while others will offer the user a manual focus ring. These are particularly good for focusing on a person's face, for video conferencing or to focus on something in the distance. There are others which can offer the user a wider angle lens (around about 76o). This is great if you want to get a large group of people in to the frame or you want to see the full vista of the scenery outside your window.

Audio Capture

There are some web cams which come with a built in microphone (so you will need no other equipment).

USB Interface

In order to produce higher quality video, you will need to purchase a camera which supports the faster USB 2.0 high speed interface. Most web cams and digital cameras today will also support the much slower USB 1.1 interface, but the resolution provided by this is much lower.

Motorized Pan and Tilt

Normally the more expensive types of web cam which cost around $130 come with a motorized pan and tilt.

Digital Zoom

Unfortunately consumer web cams do not have an optical zoom lens, but they do offer digital zoom (up to 4x) in order for you to enlarge an area of the captured frames. This is especially useful for remote viewing. Say, for example, when the video being transmitted over the internet is actually of a lower resolution than the captured video frames.

Web Cam Software

You will often find that most web cams will include a Windows driver that supports the standard Windows video interface. These are compatible with most Windows applications. But apart from the driver software, these cameras will also be provided with other software bundles. They may well include video monitoring and capture, video instant messaging, video e-mail, video editing, video conferencing and video surveillance.

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Olivier Glaudy is a specialist of offline and online direct marketing whose articles has helped thousands of business owners and online marketers.For more on this topic, go to http://www.getinfoproduct.com/instantvideorder.html

Apple iPhone vs Nokia N95 - Power Performers, Power Game

When biggies come into competition, things become exciting and productive. It is often said that wants lead to invention and invention leads to utilisation. But when utilization becomes a show-off affair, how could one forget the phenomenon called 'competition'. Competition has played a big role in the burgeoning mobile phone industry as well. As the number of mobile phone makers is increasing day by day, competition is also on a significant high. What's the benefit? Better handsets at affordably rates! Nokia and Apple are two prime competitors in the global mobile market today. Both have displayed amazing grit to showcase their best by launching handsets like the iPhone and the N95. Let's get started with their features one by one.

The Apple iPhone works both as a mobile phone, as well as an iPod. This aesthetically advanced device comes with a 3.5 inch LCD HVGA touch screen which supports a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. The iPhone carries a built-in 2.0 megapixel camera located on the back for still digital photos. It has also incorporated within itself a software that enables the user to upload and view photographs, as well as share them with the ones who matter. The zooming in and out of photos is made easier by the multi-touch interface of this handset. The iPhone offers users the option of 4GB and 8GB memory module.

On the other hand, the Nokia N95 is a two way slider opening phone with a mind blowing 5 megapixel camera. Equipped with a highly advanced GPS navigation system, the phone helps one getting to his/her destination without any confusion. The integrated music player in the N95 is a highly impressive feature that supports almost all music formats like MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA. Visual radio and FM radio are the other features that further enhance the entertainment quotient in the phone. The handset comes with 160MB internal memory plus 128MB MicroSD memory card. The newer version of the phone is the Nokia N95 8GB. Connectivity part is maintained by features like Bluetooth, USB 2.0, Pop Port, EDGE, HSCSD, GPRS and WLAN Wi-Fi.

Both these power packed handsets are the current bestsellers in the world mobile market...and the competition is only expected to heat up in the time to come!

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