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Webcams have come a long way from the jerky, grainy standard of the not-so-distant past. With improved sensors and faster transmission speeds, live footage appears larger, sharper, and without delays. Real-time videoconferencing is almost here. Time to upgrade your pajamas.
SPLURGE
AXIS 2100 Network Camera
Who�d expect a webcam to have a built-in server? The surprisingly small AXIS 2100 can be connected anywhere on a network through Ethernet cabling, sans computer. At its highest resolution (640 x 480), the videostream is clear and sharp, even when delivered at 10 frames per second. The cam handles low light amazingly well, and the lens can be swapped out for a wide-angle or telephoto.
$299, www.axis.com.
BEST BUY
PYRO 1394 WebCam
What this webcam lacks aesthetically, it makes up for with crisp images and a blazing 400-Mbps FireWire connection that allows uncompressed videostreams. The focusing ring is much easier to grip than those on other cams, and the 1394 works well in a variety of lighting conditions, including shadows. The accompanying (mostly off-the-shelf) software is handy for snagging and sending images.
$89, www.adstech.com.
OVERRATED
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
Logitech has been in the webcam biz for a relatively long time, yet this shooter fails to impress. The QuickCam Pro comes with a smartbase that lets you pivot and tilt the camera, but it adjusts poorly to various lighting conditions. With only a standard USB connection, video quality is further diminished because data must be compressed during transmission.
$100, www.logitech.com.
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