Looking for an effective webcam

[Prosthetic_mind]

With I and many of my friends going to college, I figured that it would be interesting to see if I could get a webcam system set up. I really don't know what webcams are any good, so suggestions are appreciated. This one looks like it may be effective: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830108106
but I have little knowledge of that, so I can't be sure. I'd prefer something cheap, but not so cheap that the image only looks tolerable at the size of a postage stamp.

[Mick_D]

Your use of the word "effective" is really an open ended topic. How do you define effective? It's difficult to give you a decent answer.

1.3 MP at 640x480 and 30 FPS should be fine for face to face cam chat. However, if you want to show your latest dance moves, the image may be very choppy and of poor quality.

Keep in mind the quality of cam video will be very dependant on your internet connection speed as well as the viewers internet connection.

[DOS-tech]

As a general rule of thumb I would stick with a branded option such as the one you mentioned - Logitech or Creative.

I've tried a few of the cheaper - unbranded options and while they are adequate for a "bit of fun" on say MSN anything beyond that scope and the quality and general "brightness" of the image seems to suffer.

Paul

PS I've never tried dancing in front of mine, perhaps I need to live a little!

[Prosthetic_mind]

thanks for the info, I think I probably will stay with that one.