Logitech web camera
With advances in broadband technology and the resulting drop in prices for consumers, the use of online video has grown. Today it is possible for live video broadcasts, video conferencing, personal video calls and instant uploads to video sharing sites like YouTube. All of this would be impossible however, without the use of the device known as the web camera. A web camera is a small camera, usually with a microphone, that can capture video and audio for recording or instant transmission over the Internet. With HP laptops, there is an even better option better known to Mac users: the built-in web camera.
Instructions
1. Mount the external web camera carefully using the clamping device provided. If your web camera does not have this type of mount, you will want to look for a free-standing mount or tripod to use it with. This would actually be preferred with a laptop, as it would be easier to remove when the laptop is closed or for on-the-road use. Connect the external camera only after installing the software and drivers provided on the CD-ROM that came with the camera. If you are using a built-in web camera you can skip this step.
2. Open the web camera software. If you installed an external camera, an icon for the software should be found on your desktop. If you are using HP's built-in web camera, you will click on the "Start Menu" and do a search for YouCam. This is the default software provided by HP for use with the built-in web camera.
3. Decide whether or not you want to do a live recording or feed to the Internet or if you want to record something for editing and uploading later after your review. The first few times you use a web camera on an HP laptop you will probably want to save the recording to your hard drive to review and edit before uploading for all the world to see.
4. Apply filters and options before starting the recording. Almost all web camera software comes with special filters and options that allow you to do neat visual tricks with the video being recorded. Some of the more popular filters include black and white, framing the picture (like a video postcard) and distorting the picture.
5. Upload your video to the Internet using your webcam software's own optional settings or by going to an online video hosting site like YouTube and setting up an account. Once your video is online you can share it with anyone in the world who has Internet access. In addition, the web camera on your HP laptop can be used as a default camera device for video calls and conferencing using popular software such as Skype.
Tags: built-in camera, external camera, camera software, filters options, like YouTube