Comparison Logitech MeetUp vs Logitech Brio

The purpose of the webcam is indicated by the type of equipment for which it is designed.

— For a computer. The classic, most common variety — in fact, webcams as a type of technology were originally created specifically for use with a PC. Usually, they have compact dimensions and a mount for fixing on the monitor, although other design options are also found.

— For conferences. A separate subtype of cameras, which are more applicable for conference rooms or other large rooms, when more than one person should be present in the frame. Such models stand out for their large size and connect to a TV, they may have a remote control and other functions for use at a remote distance (specifically depends on the model).

The number of megapixels in the matrix that the camera is equipped with, in other words, the native resolution of the matrix. First of all, the maximum photo size directly depends on this indicator: for example, a 1600x1200 frame requires at least 1600 * 1200 = 1,920,000 pixels ≈ 2 MP. With video, the situation is somewhat different, where the actual resolution of the matrix can be noticeably higher than required for the frame.

There is an opinion that the more megapixels, the better the image is obtained. Formally, this is not the case: the resolution of the sensor only affects the detail, and in itself numerous megapixels can even worsen the picture — especially if the matrix is small. However, in fact, high-resolution sensors are often installed in fairly advanced cameras, in which high image quality is achieved through a number of characteristics.

The most advanced format found in today's webcams: approximately double the frame size of Full HD on each side and four times the number of pixels. The most popular Ultra HD (4K) options for webcams are 3840x2160 and 4096x2160. Note that such models are not cheap, and the video itself puts forward rather high demands on the graphic part of the computer, not to mention the speed of communication when transferring to the Internet. Therefore, you should pay attention to this option only in cases where the maximum detail is crucial for you, and the computer and the communication channel are able to cope with it normally.

Focus method — focus — provided in the design of the camera.

The simplest and most common option is manual focus; it requires some setup steps, but does not cause any particular difficulties, besides, it allows you to set the sharpness as you wish, without relying on automation. Autofocus, in turn, saves the user from having to fiddle with the settings, however, it is also more expensive. In addition, autofocus systems may not work as you would like, and they still sometimes have to be adjusted manually (however, such a need is extremely rare).

The viewing angle determines, first of all, how wide the field of view of the camera is, what area of the scene being shot falls into the frame. Accordingly, a wide viewing angle allows you to capture more space and the lower the likelihood that something of what is happening will be behind the scenes. On the other hand, it should be taken into account that a strong increase in viewing angles leads to distortions of the “picture”, especially at the edges, as well as to a decrease in the size of visible objects and a decrease in detail.

— Face scanner (FaceID / Windows Hello). A specialized scanner for facial recognition. Note that this is not just about “recognition from a photograph”, but about a full-fledged three-dimensional scanning using a special IR sensor. This allows very accurate and reliable recognition to be achieved. And thanks to advanced algorithms, accuracy is maintained even when facial hair changes, putting on and taking off glasses, and other similar changes. As for the purpose, the face scanner is mainly used for user authentication — in the case of Windows it is Windows Hello, and for iOS devices it is FaceID.

— Quick capture button. A button similar to the capture button on cameras: when you press it, the webcam takes a picture and saves it to a dedicated folder. Thus, a minimum of effort is required from the user — literally one click on the button is enough to get a digital photo immediately stored on the computer. The quality of such shots is not high and this option is not able to replace a full-fledged digital camera, but it may well come in handy when speed or ease of taking a picture is important.

— Microphone. The presence of a built-in microphone allows you to use the camera not only to work with video, but also to transmit or record voice and other sounds. This is often more convenient and cheaper than buying and using a separate microphone. And the presen...ce of noise reduction allows you to make speech more clear by removing extraneous sounds from the air. Webcams with a noise-canceling microphone are primarily needed for professional use when you need a clear transmission of words — for online lessons, video conferences, etc.

— Speaker. The presence of a speakerphone will allow you to communicate with the interlocutor without the use of additional accessories (headphones, speakers). Actual is in models for conferences. However, the sound quality and volume can be mediocre.

— Motion detector. A feature that allows the camera to respond to movement in the frame. Most often used to automatically start recording or broadcasting if a moving object appears in the field of view. However, this function is not very common — it is convenient mainly for surveillance systems, and webcams are rarely used in such systems (it is more convenient to use specialized cameras in them).

— Night shot. The ability to use the camera at night, in low light. The specific implementation and capabilities of this feature may vary. So, some models use a highly sensitive sensor that can work effectively in low light; in other models, IR illumination is installed, invisible to the human eye, but perfectly perceived by the sensor. These nuances should be clarified in each case separately. However, it is also worth noting that webcams are rarely used in twilight or darkness, and even in such situations it is more reasonable to use regular backlighting (see below): it preserves the colours in the image, while shooting at night usually gives a black and white picture. .

— Backlight. Own lighting system built right into the camera — usually in the form of several LEDs. Designed for shooting in low light conditions; at the same time, in contrast to night shooting (see above), in this case, the illumination is carried out in the visible range. This allows you to keep the image in colour.

— Monitor mount. Mount for fixing a webcam on a computer monitor or laptop display. It is this arrangement that is most often optimal: for example, during a video call, it will give the impression that the user is looking at the interlocutor, although in fact his gaze may be directed not at the camera, but at the screen. In addition, the camera installed on the monitor does not take up space on the table, and the risk of accidentally touching it is minimal.

— Tripod mount(1/4" thread). The presence of a 1/4" threaded socket on the camera body. It is this size that is standard for modern tripods and is used in most of these devices. So this feature allows you to mount the camera on a tripod without using adapters and other additional equipment.

— Protective curtain. A movable shutter with which you can cover the webcam lens. Such a device provides additional security, because your PC or laptop can be hacked and watched through the camera. In addition, the shutter protects the optics from various contaminants.

The presence of a remote control in the configuration of the camera allows you to control it from a distance. First of all, this is true in models for conferences and for TV.

Types of indicators (usually light) provided in the design of the camera. In modern models, there are (separately or together) two types of indicators:

— Nutrition. An indicator that indicates that everything is in order with the power supply. On some models, this indicator only works when the camera is turned on and ready to use, on others it can also work in standby mode — for example, it will glow in a different light than when the camera is on.

— Activities. An indicator that indicates that the camera is shooting video — and, accordingly, it is being recorded or broadcast on the Internet. Such an indicator makes it easier to keep track of the shooting mode and avoids unpleasant situations, such as accidentally broadcasting to the Internet from a camera that you forgot to turn off.

Ways to connect a webcam to a computer.

– USB-A. A camera connection option that involves transmitting video and audio via a classic full-size USB-A connector. Note that such ports may belong to different versions (2.0, 3.2 gen1, 3.2 gen2), but they are quite compatible with each other. The higher the USB version, the faster the data is transferred, which provides an excellent quality picture in high frame resolution.

– USB type C. A noticeable advantage of USB type C over the classic USB-A connector is its double-sided design, which allows you to connect the plug to either side. In addition, this connector usually uses a USB 3.1 gen1 or 3.1 gen2 connection, thereby providing high data transfer speeds. This is important when conducting video conferences in Full HD resolutions and higher.

— USB + Mini-jack 3.5. In this option, a connection via a USB port is used to transmit the video stream from the webcam, and a 3.5 mm audio jack (a round socket with a diameter of 3.5 mm, also called Mini-jack) is used to transmit audio.

– HDMI. A universal, comprehensive interface for transmitting high-resolution video and multi-channel audio in digital format from a webcam. Data exchange is carried out over a single cable, which simplifies connecting the camera to a computer.