WebCam help

[Angel]

Alright, I've had this goddamn thing close to a year, and never once had a problem with it, but having moved, the lighting where I am now is horrible.

Where is the best position for light? The overhead light in this room does nothing but backlight and shadow my face because of the positioning of the computer desk. Not only that, but suddenly the picture quality has become pretty low. It was fine on the old computer, a 1999 gateway, but here on a brand new HP it looks cartoony.

I suck with hardware

 

[DarlingBri]

Have you changed the actual webcam or just the PC around it?

As for lighting, a desk lamp with lots of illumination, higer up (like on a bookshelf over your desk, or on top of yuour monitor?), combined with the backlight, might be best.

 

[Angel]

Have you changed the actual webcam or just the PC around it?

As for lighting, a desk lamp with lots of illumination, higer up (like on a bookshelf over your desk, or on top of yuour monitor?), combined with the backlight, might be best.

Same webcam, new PC.

I have the cam mounted on top of the monitor, and theres an adjustable neck desklamp on the desk. I COULD do some odd rearranging with the lamp I guess. Sometimes I get a really awesome picture if I play with the lamp and the controls, but the goddamn thing never keeps my settings and I have to adjust it again everytime I want to use it. I'm about to throw it out the window

 

[Wizard]

Hey angel who do you use for webcam service??????Did you ever find any free web service?

 

[OUTSIDER]

the best position for the light is behind the camera but shining on your face, the other thing might be a software error, you could try reinstalling the software drivers or you could go to the webcam companys website and see if they have an update.
I have seen a webcam on a PC run on three different sets of software and only one actually worked as it should have, sorry I can't offer more.

 

[Angel]

Hey angel who do you use for webcam service??????Did you ever find any free web service?

http://www.camarades.com

is what I use on the rare occasion I actually have it online. Otherwise I just shoot a still or two.

 

[Wizard]

Dam that was quick I just e-mailed you in case you didn't see this....lol

Sorry ....I'll try it out thanks

 

[Angel]

Hehe, no problem, I just rarely have it on cuz when I know someone is looking, I get self concious over every movement and end up sitting there like a zombie.

 

[Wizard]

We have had alot of fun with ours I forget it is on and laugh at myself and carry on I did see it was just a trial for ten days but am still reading.......Thanks I want to give this place a shot...

 

[April]

All very good suggestions that have been offered previously. I favor re-installing the software and/or looking for an update. Also, play with the lighting. My webcam looks like total shit unless I get a lot of light. Natural daylight works best, IMO.

 

[OUTSIDER]

BTW whats the make of your webcam...?

 

[Wizard]

Who Angel or me?......Mine is Logitech..........

 

[Angel]

It's pretty cheap... Aiptek. I got it at a drugstore when I was working there LOL. (Gotta love that 30% off)

 

[OUTSIDER]

probably the same as mine with just another name on it, yeah your right your gonna need lots of light to make the damn thing work half way decent, BTW mines a Maxxtro.....never heard of them....no...neither have I but it was cheap as chips as we say here in the UK.

 

[Weird Harold]

I have the cam mounted on top of the monitor, and theres an adjustable neck desklamp on the desk.

If you have a "torchiere" type lamp that you could put next to the computer it would improve the lighting, especially if it's a halogen lamp. The color will be truer under the halogen light than under tungsten light (typical lightbulb).

[Edited by Weird Harold on 04-16-2001 at 02:43 AM]

 

[OUTSIDER]

BTW I forgot to mention that if your lamp is one of those with a transformer in the base them don't put it nowhere near your PC as the magnets in it mess the screen up and can even wipe out data on your hard drive, you'd be better off useing an old fashioned anglepoise lamp.
Well thats all from me tonight I'm off to bed in a minute for a good sleep.