Webcam or Camera?

I wanna start uploading videos to youtube like of me playing guitar and stuff) but I notice most webcam uploads are crappy quality and when people usually use a camera it comes out better. I don't think I'll be doing any video conferencing so it's not like I really need a webcam but which one would be cheaper and which one would give me better quality? I'm not looking to spend more than $50...thanks for any help.

 

Integrated webcams usually max out at 2.0MP, and the vast majority are 1.3MP. That is plenty for webconferencing (actually, the more megapixels, the laggier it could be if you do not have enough internet bandwidth). For videos, a seperate camera would have much better quality, although it'll likely be more expensive.

 

I'm not looking for an integrated webcam, I'm looking for a USB one. So basically from what you say a 1.3MP webcam would be cheaper and offer good quality for making non-crappy youtube videos as opposed to recording video with a camera?

 

A cheap $30 6megapixle digital camera is both inexpensive and produce better quality. It's not HD quality, but perfectly capable of outputing "high quality" (640x480) videos.

 

definitely a cheap camera with video features if you don't need a webcam... its portable, though you might need to spend around $60 for a decent one(or used) with a memory card

 

=X I guess I can muster up like $60 but I've seen webcams at Walmart for $20 so I don't wanna spend that much.

 

I would definitely spend a few more dollars to get a normal digital camera.. its more practical, better quality pictures, and likely better build quality.

Tiger Direct Cameras $50+

 

if you are doing music I would use a webcam and get a nice usb mic. Because then you can record yourself better to help learn and if you really want to show what you can do the music quality is more important than in picture.

 

Sounds like a plan, but how much would a nice USB mic set me back.

 

Depends...

if your laptop has a webcam that is most of the battle

If your laptop has a normal "mic" input then it would be cheaper but usb is a lot nicer (less bathroom sounding)

Give me some time and I will find a good one ($50 right?)


Edit:
What I have found

http://www.amazon.com/PG57-Cardioid...8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1240186327&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-C608WD-...8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1240186327&sr=1-3

http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-SoundCheck-Dynamic-Microphone-271022-i1177088.gc


Shure and AKG are very good but I have not heard of the other, but it seems ok.

 

My laptop doesn't exist. =P My desktop doesn't have one either. =D Ionno guys, I'm thinking just going down to Wall to wallmart and getting a $30 webcam would be best.

 

I thought the HP in the sig was a laptop

but desktops should have a pink input (my 5 year old desktop on has one)

 

Pink input?

 

normally there is a green output for speakers and such and a pink one right next to it, that is the mic input.

 

Yeah they do, I plan on just getting an inexpensive webcam so it doesn't really matter.

 

You can connect your guitar to ur pc and record it that way too. It will sound a lot better than if u record it on mic

http://www.musiconmypc.co.uk/art_record_guitar_on_pc.php

 

Number One Rule for photography - Light

Even a cheap webcam can do ok as long as you give it enough light.

If you have poor lighting where you plan to record or take pictures, that needs to be fixed first.

If you want pictures I would go for the camera for sure, better quality and you can take it with you.

If you want video, the webcam is by far better.

Obviously there are cameras that can record, and any webcam can take pictures but the camera will take better pictures, and the webcam will have a longer record time can cost less than a decent camrea that can record.

A camcorder may be the best for you though, but you did not list that as an option, they have gotten much cheaper now. Any decent mini camcorder can take pictures and record video.

I really want to get one of the nice HD camcorders.

If your on the cheap, get some light and a webcam. Youtube is going to butcher the living hell out of the quality anyways unless its 720p+ the new HD stuff is pretty decent but you said you dont want to drop the money for HD quality.

 

Thanks for the link, I was thinking about recording my guitar directly to my computer. I'm gonna improve the lighting in my video (if needed) and get a nice and cheap webcam off newegg. I'm thinking about this one especially since the reviews are nice and it's compatible with Linux.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826140018