Canon VC C3	Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000	ATI TV Wonder

The choice of web cameras these days is huge and often it is difficult to give precise advice ;-)

Here are some of the points you should consider when you're looking for a new camera:

1. Look for a camera optimised for INDOOR use. This is particularly important in order to ensure that correct colours & skin tones are displayed properly without sunlight available (Many Handy Cams/Cam-Corders can suffer from this problem) - VERY IMPORTANT
    
2. Choose a CCD type sensor for good quality even in less than perfect light conditions - VERY IMPORTANT
    
3. IF your camera is to connect directly to the computer (USB/Serial/others), we recommend a camera with WDM drivers (instead of old type drivers allowing only VFW capture mode). These are more compatible with our software and with most of the latest camera oriented software on the market - IMPORTANT
    
4. IF you'd like to have a zoom facility, look for OPTICAL zoom capability, not software or digital. You probably need 10x zoom or higher - IMPORTANT
    
5. Pan/Tilt capabilities are also a plus, since moving the camera remotely can often be helpful. IF the camera has no such capability, you can always find a separate device that will do that with the camera. - IF YOU NEED IT
    
6. Fast pan/tilt/zoom - IF YOU NEED IT
    
7. The camera MUST have 320x240 pixel format available for compatibility with our software & most other WebCam software on the market. - IMPORTANT

From our research, we can recommend the following:

• At the more expensive end, models like Sony EVI-D30, Sony EVI-D100, Panasonic KX-DP702, Canon VC C3
   
• Less expensive models, WebCams like (you can directly connect them to the PC through USB/Firewire port) - Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000, Intel PC Camera PRO

Also, IF you already have a Handy Cam/Cam-Corder or another type of camera without direct connectivity with your PC, you'll need a capture card, that will provide the connectivity to your computer.

What you should consider when looking for a video capture card:

1. Good driver support (WDM IF possible) - VERY IMPORTANT
2. Separate device/cards for video capture-in, and for graphics-out to monitor - IF POSSIBLE
3. Composite Video connection via phono plug is ok, S-Video connectivity to the camera gives better quality - IMPORTANT
4. Look for a high frame rate, without intensive processor usage - VERY IMPORTANT

From our research, we can recommend the following:

• ATI TV WONDER series
• Other cards/devices using BT8xx chipsets with WDM drivers available

Intel PC Camera Pro	Sony EVI-D30	Panasonic KX-DP702

As a footnote, even with the very best camera, the effect can be totally wasted through poor or inadequate lighting!!