Usb camera. Video surveillance via usb camera. Buy flexible usb camera - endoscope for hard-to-reach places with illumination

Online communication using video communication is popular, and it is available to owners of laptops, desktop PCs or mobile devices. Even 10 years ago, a webcam was an unusual device and had a high cost.

The webcam is connected to a laptop or computer using the USB interface. For sale wireless models (via Wi-fi or Bluetooth), but their cost is high and requires high-speed internet. It is recommended to choose a device with uSB support 2.0 and 3.0.

Advantages and disadvantages

Budget or older models are equipped with 1.1 technology, but get quality image impossible. When choosing a device, pay attention to the cable length. It is recommended to buy a model with a cord from 1.5 meters.

The advantage of using a webcam is mobility. It's small, so it's easy to carry with you, and you can connect it to your laptop anywhere you have the Internet.

The disadvantage is the poor picture, because the main task is the connection between people, not the quality of the image. If there is no high-speed Internet, this is a problem, because the video will be transmitted with jerks, and the sound will lag or disappear.

The principle of the camera is simple: it is connected to the Internet and given an address. This is usually done automatically. The picture is converted into a digital signal and sent to the interlocutor.

How does a USB webcam work


The webcam design includes:

  • Camcorder;
  • Compression processor;
  • Built-in web server;
  • Video capture card;
  • Optical filter and lens;
  • Compression block;
  • CPU;
  • Flash memory;
  • Network interface;
  • Ports for connection.

The device works by converting an analog signal to a digital signal. It is processed by the board and transmitted over the Internet. The lens of the device projects the image onto the matrix.

Its quality directly affects the quality of the picture. The lens parameters are the depth of field and focal length. To transmit light, an optical filter is used - a flat plate, which is placed in the upper part of the matrix.

When buying a webcam, check if it has a web server function. It gives autonomy to the device and users connect to it through the network.

If the device does not support a web server, then the camera is used to create video, which is processed and broadcast online.

The compression block is used to reduce the volume of video from the camera. This is done by converting video to other formats. Reducing the size of the information is important for 2 reasons:

  • This reduces storage space;
  • Network transmission is possible at minimum speed.

Compression of information can be hardware or software. Webcams are made using the first technology. The USB port connects the device to a computer or laptop.

Types of USB webcams


Depending on the conditions of use, you need to choose one of the types of webcams. They are divided into types:

  • Stationary;
  • Mobile;
  • Universal.

A desktop device is used for stationary computers when it is docked and not moved. The shape is a sphere with a lens at the front. This type includes children's cameras, which are made in the form of toys or cartoon characters.

They are used to monitor and supervise the child when he is left alone with a stranger (nanny, neighbors). The device does not differ from a toy, so it is installed invisibly. The video is recorded or broadcast to a mobile device: tablet, smartphone or laptop.

Mobile webcams are compact enough to fold and carry with you in your bag or pocket. A flat square or plate, in the form of which the apparatus is made, is convenient to transport. Portable Devices are made for laptops.

The universal type is suitable for any purpose, including installed on a TV, stationary computer or laptop.

Attach with a clothespin that is placed on the screen. The devices are equipped with an elastic leg to select the desired position. The shapes are made in different ways, and the higher price segment offers cameras developed by designers. When the choice of the type is completed, the main characteristics are determined and the device is selected.

How to choose a USB webcam


The choice of a webcam is based on parameters, among which are:

  • Matrix and sensitivity;
  • Resolution;
  • Frames per second;
  • Interface;
  • Connection method;
  • Built-in microphone;
  • Cost.

The webcam must be equipped with a matrix. 2 types stand out: CCD and CMOS. It is recommended to choose devices with CCD, as the picture is better. The disadvantage of this option is that the devices belong to the highest price category... Budget cameras with a CMOS sensor do not provide high Quality, but suitable for domestic use.

Webcam resolution directly affects video quality. Resolution - the number of vertical and horizontal pixels that are included in the matrix structure.

When choosing a device, permission is one of the first places in terms of importance.

A large number of dots and their size means high resolution, which gives a detailed picture. Resolution is measured in megapixels (1 megapixel \u003d 1 million pixels).

Most webcams are made with permissions:

  • 320 × 240 (less than 0.1 MP). The minimum resolution that produces a low quality image. Used for non-professional video communication.
  • 640 × 240. It is considered a standard resolution and is installed on devices of the middle price category. Allows you to shoot video or chat online.
  • 1280 × 720 (HD). The best combination of price and quality. Photos are taken, but their detail is not considered indicative. Used for video conferencing and provides a good picture.
  • 1280 × 960 (Full HD). Photos are not comparable to a professional camera, but the video is high quality. The cost of devices can be several times higher than other types with lower resolutions. Use assumes high speed internet.


Remember that the resolution on paper is not always true. Evaluate the real picture of a webcam, because resolution is not the only criterion that affects quality. Search the internet for real images and compare them before choosing a specific option. Cheap Chinese devices have high declared characteristics, but in practice the picture is bad.

The sensitivity of the matrix means the minimum illumination of the room, at which the device takes photos and videos of good quality. Note that for webcams, lighting is paramount. In poor light, even CCDs will produce blurry, noisy video. Sensitivity is measured in lux and this criterion is also important in the selection.

Frames per second (fps) determines the "speed" of the image. An indicator less than 30 does not provide stable video, and the picture freezes and jerks. A level of 30-40 frames is sufficient for quality and continuous video. Such fps is inherent in cameras of the middle price segment. A camera with 40 frames per second allows you to get a high-quality and detailed image.

The cost reaches 1 thousand dollars. USA. When choosing a webcam, consider your internet speed. Video puts a load on the connection. If you connect the device to a 2 Mbps channel, the result is unsatisfactory.

The image quality of the 5-megapixel camera with 80 frames per second is identical to the budget models. It's pointless to choose an expensive option without high-speed Internet.

Webcams of different price segments are equipped with a built-in microphone. This is convenient and necessary, because in the absence of a microphone, it is purchased additionally and connected to a computer. The disadvantage of the built-in device is low sound quality, since manufacturers put inexpensive options.

If you have a separate microphone, use that. The sound quality of portable microphones is much better than built-in microphones.

The cost of a webcam is an important selection criterion. The difficulty is that the price ranges from 10 to 1 thousand dollars. USA. The selection of parameters plays a decisive role, but if the budget is limited, look for a model in terms of value for money.

If you have enough money to buy, then don't pay attention to the cost. Remember that there are low price and high performance cameras on the market.

It is not compatible, and if you need a good device, choose a device in the middle or high segment.

It's not worth buying the most expensive cameras, because you have to overpay for the brand and design.


For PC users with an operating windows system Don't worry - 99% of webcams will be compatible with their machine. The device will determine which drivers to use and install them.

We connect the camera to a laptop and it will set up in a few minutes. IOS does not support all devices, so please check compatibility before purchasing. The set includes a disc with software that is installed on the device. If the camera and computer are not compatible, then it is difficult to connect.

Functions


Different options are installed on the webcam. This affects the price, but improves and enhances convenience. These include:

  • Password protection;
  • Video effects;
  • Autofocus;
  • Motion Detector;
  • Observation mode;
  • Working in the dark.

Standard webcams are not password protected. Who needs this function, choose models with its support. All network users have access to the video from the device using browsers. A simple type of protection is a password.

It restricts the viewing of video from the camera. If this protection is not enough, a device with multi-level coding is purchased, which prohibits the use or viewing of images of network participants.

Video effects are used to change the image. Some models support adding effects. The function changes external plans, overlays text and screensavers, substitutes faces, creates animation (rain, snow or fog). The video effects function has no useful properties and is used for entertainment. The camera makes the image scary, sexy or funny.

A useful feature is autofocus, which will adjust the camera and provide a clear image. The device is equipped with an actuator and electronics to select the desired position.

Some models have a surveillance function, when the camera is placed and works in recording or online broadcasting mode. This allows for low-cost home surveillance. The disadvantage is that a device with a long cord (from 5 meters) is required.

If it is smaller, then the camera is installed near the computer to scan the entire room. The image from some models is shown on the smartphone online.

A camera with motion detection is used in surveillance. The webcam searches for objects and focuses on them. Advanced models include motion detection recording, motion speed and object size.

Few webcams can boast of high-quality work in the dark. Manufacturers make inexpensive devices, save on components to attract consumers. Infrared sensors are used to capture video in low light conditions. Small size devices used for security are equipped with such sensors.

The choice of a webcam is based on its price and performance. You can use a device of the middle price category for communication, which gives a detailed image.



Install Optional Products - DriverDoc (Solvusoft) | | | |

This page contains information on installing the latest downloads uSB drivers Camera using the USB Camera Driver Updater.

USB Camera drivers are tiny programs that enable your USB Camera hardware to communicate with your operating system software. Maintaining updated USB Camera software prevents crashes and maximizes hardware and system performance. Using outdated or corrupt USB Camera drivers may result in system errors, malfunctions and failure of hardware or computer. Moreover, installing the wrong USB Camera drivers can make these problems worse.

Advice: If you are unsure of how to update your USB Camera device drivers manually, we highly recommend downloading utility program for USB Camera drivers. This tool will download and update the correct USB Camera driver versions automatically, protecting you against installing the wrong USB Camera drivers.


About the author: Jay Geater is President and CEO of Solvusoft Corporation, a global software company focused on innovative services. He has been passionate about computers all his life and loves everything related to computers, software and new technologies.

The simplest and affordable way organize a video surveillance system - connect to computer USB camera. Naturally, such a solution has minimal functionality, but it is quite suitable for home use.

It should be noted right away that it is unacceptable to use such equipment for professional surveillance (with clear requirements for technical characteristics and safety level).

There are two options for organizing video surveillance via USB:

  • analog equipment connected via a USB converter;
  • classic USB digital cameras (WEB-camera, "webcam").

In the first case, special equipment is used - a USB converter, which is a compact video recorder (video capture card with a USB interface). Depending on the converter model, you can connect from 1 to 4 analog video cameras to the device.

In this case, recording a signal from several cameras at the same time is usually impossible, due to limitations imposed by the hardware part of the equipment.

The advantages of the converter include compact dimensions, easy installation and customization, as well as full compatibility with computers and laptops with operating system Windows. The main disadvantages are limited functionality and poor image quality in comparison with full-fledged DVRs.

Classic USB cameras allow you to organize video surveillance in just a few minutes. There are a large number of models on the market. Preference is given to modern equipment with HD resolution (1280 × 720 pixels) and a built-in microphone. You can use cheaper cameras with a resolution of 0.3 megapixels, but the image quality will be below average.

There are models on sale with built-in infrared illumination for shooting in the dark. As a rule, the IR illumination turns on automatically (there is a light sensor on the equipment body). The main advantages of digital USB cameras are low price, easy connection and a very wide range of models.

Disadvantages:

  • minimal functionality;
  • installation restrictions (cable length - no more than 5 m;
  • for large values, a special signal amplifier must be used).

USB CAMERA SOFTWARE

To implement video surveillance based on USB video cameras, you need to install the appropriate software on your PC. Most digital USB cameras and converters are sold with a CD containing drivers and software. Also, a minimal set of utilities can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.

Transmitter software is usually included in the package. Thus, the popular EasyCAP002 DVR converter model is designed to work with the Super Viewer program. The software allows you to quickly switch between connected cameras, set up recording by time, take screenshots and save video files to hDD computer or laptop.

Most of these programs have a simple and intuitive interface, so setting up and operating the equipment is not difficult for inexperienced users.

For video surveillance using digital USB cameras, as a rule, third-party software is used, which significantly expands the functionality of even the simplest models. There are both paid and free versions of the programs. Paid software usually has a wide range of features.

Popular programs:

  1. WebcamXP is one of the most popular programs. The main advantages are flexible settings, compatibility with almost all camera models, the ability to use a motion sensor to send notifications by email.
  2. Mobile Computer Control - built-in recording scheduler, motion detection, ability remote control computer via mobile phone.
  3. Xeoma - no installation required (you can run from a memory card), support for all types of cameras, motion detector, alert mode.
  4. Ivideon Server is an interesting solution with cloud video surveillance capabilities. If the PC is not connected to the Internet, only the client program can be used to save the video to the hard drive.

All of the above programs were created as affordable analogues of specialized software for security systems. And they are mainly used for organizing the simplest home video surveillance. Also, such software is often installed by owners of small outlets to monitor employees and customers.

The Ivideon Server program is in particular demand, which allows organizing remote video surveillance via the Internet based on simple USB cameras.

HOW TO CONNECT THE CURVE CAMERA TO USB

The digital camera ("webcam") is already equipped with a standard USB connector for connecting to a computer or laptop. Most camcorders are designed for the USB 2.0 standard; however, models with large-resolution matrices up to 10MP (for example, the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920) are gaining popularity, which work better when connected via USB 3.0.

The high data transfer rate allows you to realize all the advantages of large image resolution. It should be borne in mind that saving video files in high definition requires much more hard disk space.

After connecting the device, you need to install drivers (usually included or available on the manufacturer's website), and software to choose from.

Connecting the converter is also not associated with special difficulties. Almost all models are connected to the USB 2.0 connector. To connect analog video cameras, the device is equipped with standard composite RCA (tulip) connectors. Video connectors are yellow, audio is white. The converter can be connected either directly or through a regular USB extension cable.

The system requirements for a laptop or computer are minimal, so you can use outdated for modern games or programs hardware (processor from 1.8 GHz, rAM - 256 Mb, video card - 32 Mb).

After connecting the device, the driver and software are installed. It is recommended to use the included software for converters.

Possible problems:

  1. No picture - the device is not recognized by the operating system. The solution is to reinstall the drivers.
  2. The camera works intermittently, image freezes, etc. The solution is to check the quality of the USB connection. If an extension cord is used, it is necessary to check the camera's performance without it (signal attenuation is possible).

In general, a video surveillance system based on USB equipment is quite reliable, with special attention paid to the technical condition of a computer or laptop.

POPULAR MODELS

By choosing digital USB camera for video surveillance, it is recommended to pay attention to models from well-known manufacturers:

  • Logitech;
  • A4Tech.

For video surveillance at night, it is better to choose a camera with IR illumination (available model - A4Tech PK-333E). An advantage for USB cameras is the presence of autofocus, a built-in microphone and a rotary mechanism for lens orientation. If the image quality is not specific, you can use the available VGA resolution models.

Since the standard length of a USB camera cable rarely exceeds 1.5 meters, an extension cable is required to determine the optimal installation location. It is not recommended to use low-quality extension cords longer than 5 m. After installing the camera, it is necessary to test the operation of the equipment in all modes.


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A flexible wire with a camera at the end is called an endoscope. It will go through a ten mm hole and show the cause of the blockage in the pipe or the marking of the electronic board under the dashboard in the car. The camera is equipped with LED backlight with adjustable brightness. The endoscope is waterproof and dustproof according to IP67 standard.

Auto mechanics will unscrew the candle and see how the piston is doing with an endoscope, examine the walls of the engine cylinder and the catalyst, and also check the clutch or evaluate the pads for wear. Cm. engine cylinder inspection video

Builders will see the laid wires in the ceilings, hook the right one and pull it out with a hook, or inspect the patency in the ventilation box through a small hole.

Engineers will inspect the internal damage of various units, consider the board marking through the hole in the case.

The endoscope is not suitable for ordinary video shooting, as it is intended for inspection in a confined space, for which the camera has a constant focus in the range of 3-10 cm, as in macro photography. Shooting long distances will be blurry. The camera does not transmit sound, only video.

The endoscope connects to an Android phone, but OTG support is required. The easiest way to find out if your smartphone supports this technology is to download the free USB OTG Checker application from Google Play. If in doubt, you can order an endoscope for a test, and if it does not fit your smartphone, return it within two weeks after receiving the parcel. See OTG technology, USB OTG Checker app,

The camera supports a USB-micro connector for connecting to an Android device and a USB adapter for connecting to a Windows laptop. This model not equipped with a connector USB Type-C, but it can work through an adapter (not included). Cm. ,

If you need compatibility with any devices: smartphones and android tablets without OTG, desktop computers and windows laptops and Mac, phones and tablets Apple Iphone and Ipad - look.

Specifications

Complete set Endoscope with USB-micro connector for Android / Three interchangeable attachments: hook, magnet, mirror / USB adapter for Windows-PC / Driver disc / OEM (without box) Features Waterproof IP67 / 7 mm diameter / 2 MegaPixels / HD support 720p / 66 degree viewing angle / focal length over 4 cm / LED backlight (adjustable) / USB-micro connector Dimensions Width 6-8 mm / Length 1-10 m Compatible Android / Windows