It's time to upgrade your webcam

The popularity of remote work during the epidemic has brought online cameras to thousands of households. Now, after a long time facing the camera, it's time to upgrade your webcam.

Maybe you won't think of upgrading your webcam first - it usually works - but a new webcam brings higher image quality and flexibility, which you're missing out on.

Moreover, not all computers come with their own webcams. If you are using a desktop computer or Mac without a built-in camera, you need to understand what you need and why you need it.

The benefits of upgrading

If you already have a built-in webcam, buying another one seems to be a redundant expense, but there is more than one reason to invest in better hardware. The first is better video quality – determine the number of pixels on your current webcam. This is usually expressed by the number of horizontal lines per frame, most devices are 720p or 1080p.

Upgrading to 1080p or 4K means clearer and more detailed images, and the main beneficiaries are those who watch your videos - from being able to see your family at higher resolutions to staying on your technical capabilities Potential employers with good impressions.

Don't forget the audio quality either: whatever the purpose of your video call is, you need to be heard clearly. External webcams connected to your computer usually offer better microphone effects than the built-in microphone you are currently using, and some even have advanced features such as on-board noise reduction.

[Related: Improve your remote meetings with this high-quality webcam and microphone]

Let's talk about angles too. A webcam built into a laptop or all-in-one is fixed – it cannot move unless the entire device moves. With a USB connection, you can choose any angle you like (and any background you like, perfect for displaying your carefully organized bookshelf).

In more expensive products, you can get a webcam with wide-angle lenses (to accommodate more screen content) and own lighting (to keep your face well lit during video chat). Some also come with bundled software to adjust the color, contrast and other properties of the video feed.

Not every webcam has all these features, but this should give you an idea of ​​the types of upgrades available. Also be aware of specific privacy features, such as physical covers, that can slide over and obscure the lens when you are not using the webcam – which is easier than putting tape on the webcam.

Select and install a webcam

We have mentioned most of the key features that new webcams need to be aware of, so select the features you like and shop accordingly. Video and audio quality may be your main consideration, and the price of each model will naturally affect your choice. You should also look at the installation options type of each webcam and its USB cable length – this will determine where you can and where you can’t place it.

[Related: It's easier to convert your SLR or microsingle camera to a webcam for free]

You don't actually have to buy a webcam to upgrade, because many digital camera manufacturers have released software that can turn their devices into webcams. Canon, Sony and Fujifilm are the three major manufacturers that own such software. If you have a SLR, check if the manufacturer offers this webcam feature.

If you have the right third-party app, you can even use your smartphone as a webcam. DroidCam for Android and iOS is one of the best choices we encountered, and it is free, but it only works for Windows. We also like Camo for iOS, which is not for Android, but covers Windows and macOS. (If you want video quality above 720p, you also need to pay $5 per month to buy Camo Pro.) Install one of the apps on your phone, install the corresponding desktop programs on your computer and they will handle it. The necessary communications required between devices.

After purchasing a webcam, the difficult part is completed. Installing the device simply plug it into your computer: in a few seconds, Windows or macOS should recognize it, and it will then be available in your app (Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and all other apps allow you Select the webcam if multiple available).

[Related: Using professional photography skills to look better on video calls]

You can adjust the angle and composition of the new webcam in the Camera app on Windows or FaceTime on macOS, but to actually adjust the key settings (such as the quality of the video feed and any available enhancements) you need to go deeper Research the software that comes with your webcam or the configuration settings within the app you use to make video calls.

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