Laptops, computers, and mobile phones are integral to today’s life. Teaching, surfing, gaming, and contacting people would be impossible without them. With the recent hit of the covid-19 pandemic, online classes and learning became popular. Many examinations are being conducted online to avoid spreading the virus and for faster evaluation. Webcams are the best way to ensure that a student does not cheat in an examination. It is an electronic device that allows a person to record their images or videos and see them on the monitor.
It is computer hardware that allows a person to capture pictures and videos. Many laptops come with inbuilt webcams while desktop computers do not. They must be purchased separately and placed at the right angle suited for the user. Video cameras have higher resolution than webcams, but they cannot be used as a hardware part of a computer. In the earlier days, they were launched with a resolution of 320X240. Now, this number went up to 640X480.
Technology used:
i)Image sensor- Most cameras have VGA resolutions to provide high-quality videos at 30 to 120 frame rates per second. The image processing technology is inbuilt in every camera that scans the images and the live environment perfectly.
ii)Optics- These are the lenses by which a monitor camera is made. They are mostly tiny and circular and can be adjusted, removed, or added per the user’s requirements. Those who do not want to change the camera can opt for fixed-focused lenses. The image sharpness and contrast are not sacrificed in this case and remain constant throughout.
iii)Software- Various open-free and proprietary software are used in such cameras. Gstreamer-based software can be used to handle the UCV stream. Much new software can only be run in python 2.7 or more.
Characteristics:
- The manufacturing cost of such cameras is relatively low.
- They are highly flexible and variable as one can change the resolution by adjusting the lenses per their requirements.
- They are also easy to carry and change from one PC to another.
- They are widely used in home offices and colleges as they provide an excellent way to conduct review meetings and assessments.
- A physical lens cover is being added to the cameras manufactured these days to protect them from spyware and other malicious software.
- Depending upon the usage, these cameras are available in different resolutions ranging from 720p to 4k. 1080p is the most widely used and preferred resolution as it is not that expensive and provides premium quality videos.
Where are they most commonly used?
The usage of such cameras is not just limited to office uses. One can use them in various fields such as:
Commerce- They are known to act as “magic mirrors” where different types of clothing, furniture sizes, and even lipstick shades can be virtually tried. It gives the user an idea of how well it is being suited for the intended purpose.
Video conference and calling- These cameras come attached with a small microphone that records a person’s voice along with the video. Other services such as texting, monitoring, and animation come embedded with a few advanced webcams. They are beneficial for online job interviews, examinations, and conference calls.
Gaming- Many youtube streamers use such cameras to go live as they play on the monitor. It displays the gaming window and the person’s face while recording a video or going live. This benefits gamers as they do not have to worry about closing a window to check their appearance on the live screen. This practice is also seen in teaching. Many lecturers use such cameras to display the content on the web along with their facial expressions. This provides a connection to the students while learning.
