HELP! I need a budget webcam

[zorminster]

So i've started doing just a bit of streaming on justin TV and my girlfriend is a huge fan of Skype. I figure now is a decent time to look into a budget webcam. Id like something to stream at 720P. Honestly beyond that, i don't know much about all the available features and the pros/cons of having things like autofocus. It's very important that the webcam has a good microphone as well, as it will become my primary mic for ventrilo, heroes of newerth, and all other voip utilizations. Being able to mount to the top of my samsung LCD monitor is also important. My budget lies somewhere between 30-50$. Windows 7 64 bit


Thanks!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=152&name=Web-Cams

 

[zorminster]

It doesn't appear that that particular camera hits even 25 fps @ a 720P resolution if i had to guess based on the two data points it provides... Doesn't seem like a quality piece to me based on that and the reviews which seem to indicate it's got pretty dodgy audio capture

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105321

 

[zorminster]

Do you have experience with either of these products you've linked? I'm able to search newegg for stuff that appears to be in the price range, and i can certainly browse the posted reviews... But i'd like to hear some first hand feedback from people who have experience with the products they're recommending.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105321

I own this one ^

 

[zorminster]

What kind of framerates are you getting at 720P ? Any issues with skype or any other capture software? I'm particularly interested if you have any experience with XSPLIT. Hows it handle low light? Can you get a pretty good image with just the light of your monitor as people are claiming on the logitech c310? Is the autofocus *REALLY* as finicky as the newegg reviews indicate?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Works great with skype but has issues with oovoo.I wish it was better in low light.

Is the autofocus *REALLY* as finicky as the newegg reviews indicate? Yes at times!

Looks great in a well lit room!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104368

I bought my son the c310 for his birthday this year and i think it is better that mine in alot of situations.Definitely better in low light than mine!

 

[zorminster]

Would you say it has better, worse, or comparable frame rates / quality @ 720p in approximately similar lighting conditions?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I personally think the c310 has the edge!

 

[zorminster]

Best answer selected by zorminster.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

This topic has been closed by Area51reopened