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2 Answers 6 Score |
Can this be upgraded? |
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5 Answers 7 Score |
What is the best program to use for surveillance? |
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2 Answers 2 Score |
Audio problem using iSight on FaceTime |
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1 Answer 2 Score |
For use in monitoring my front door |
Background and Identification
A webcam is a video camera that streams an image or video in real-time through a computer. The stream is fed to a computer network such as the Internet. Webcams are generally small cameras that can attach to a user’s computer monitor, sit on a desk near the computer, or are built into the computer’s hardware. Webcams can be used during video chat sessions and conversations that involve live audio and video. Because video streaming over the Internet requires considerable bandwidth, streams from webcams typically use compressed formats. This compression reduces the resolution of the image, so the maximum resolution of a webcam is generally lower than handheld video cameras.
Webcams generally include a lens, an image sensor, supporting electronics, and one or several microphones for sound transmission.
Apple’s iSight camera is built into Apple laptops, some iPhones, and iMacs. The iSight camera can be used for video chat sessions and while using the iChat instant messaging program (now called Messages). The iSight name was originally used for the external iSight webcam, which could be connected to a computer with a FireWire cable. This external iSight camera came with a set of mounts so users could place it on any Apple display, laptop computer, all-in-one desktop computer, or flat surface. The iSight external camera was discontinued in October 2008, and Apple began to use the name to refer to the camera built into Apple’s iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro computers, Cinema Display, and Thunderbolt Display.
