Webcams are video capturing devices connected to computers or computer networks, often using USB or, if they connect to networks, ethernet or Wi-Fi. They are well-known for their low manufacturing costs and flexible applications
Started in 1991, the first such camera, called the CoffeeCam, was pointed at the Trojan room coffee pot in the computer science department of Cambridge University. The camera was finally switched off on August 22, 2001. The final image captured by the camera can still be viewed at its homepage.[1]
The coffee machine was later bought by Spiegel Online for DM 10,452.72;[citation needed] it was repaired for free by Krups.[2]
The oldest webcam, as the technology came to be known, still operating is FogCam at San Francisco State University, which has been running continuously since 1994[3].
As with many new technologies, webcams and webcam chat found early commercial adoption and aggressive technology advancement through use by the pornography industry.[citation needed] The adult industry required 'live' images and requested a Dutch developer to write a piece of software that could do this without requiring web browser plugins.[citation needed] This led to the birth of the 'live streaming webcam', which is still available in various forms today.[citation needed] and is still being updated and upgraded.
One of the most widely reported-on webcam sites was JenniCam, started in 1996, which allowed internet users to constantly observe the life of its namesake, somewhat like reality TV series Big Brother, launched three years later[4]. More recently, the website Justin.tv has shown a continuous video and audio stream from a mobile camera mounted on the head of the site's star.
Recently, Apple and other computer hardware manufactures began building webcams directly into laptop and desktop screens. This eliminates the need to use an external usb or firewire webcam.
In addition to use for personal videoconferencing, it was quickly realised that World Wide Web users enjoyed viewing images from cameras set up by others elsewhere in the world. While the term "webcam" refers to the technology generally, the first part of the term ("web-") is often replaced with a word describing what can be viewed with the camera, such as a netcam or streetcam. Educators can use webcams to take their students on virtual field trips.
Today there are millions of webcams that provide views into homes, offices and other buildings as well as providing panoramic views of cities (Metrocams) and the countryside. Webcams are used to monitor traffic with TraffiCams, the weather with WeatherCams and even volcanoes with VolcanoCams. Webcam aggregators allow viewers to search for specific webcams based on geography or other criteria.
[edit] Software
Webcams connected to PCs can act as web-accessible cameras with certain software. Usually this kind of software works with most webcams, since the software auto-detects the peripheral. Many different programs are available, free, open source, and proprietary.
Webcam software can be configured in many ways. Some software[specify] come with motion detection ability and time lapse capture options or both.[5]. Captures can be short videos in predefined length or still images. Thus, the software can essentially turn the web cam into a security camera. Many businesses and home owners can effectively use a simple webcam device to create their own security system with only a webcam and one of these types of software applications.
The captured files can be saved locally, uploaded to an internet server (via FTP or HTTP) (from which they can be made accessible to anyone over the web), or privately e-mailed to the user per predefined rules. Options for image size and quality, overlaying logos, and time stamping images are usually available. File names can be sequential numbers or current time. Some software allow automatic erasure of old files when not needed.
Some software[specify] can remotely control certain brands of cameras, allowing rotation and tilting.
[edit] Videoconferencing
As webcam capabilities have been added to instant messaging text chat services such as AOL Instant Messenger, one-to-one live video communication over the internet has now reached millions of mainstream PC users worldwide. Increased video quality has helped webcams encroach on traditional video conferencing systems. New features such as lighting, real-time enhancements (retouching, wrinkle smoothing and vertical stretch) can make users more comfortable, further increasing popularity. Features and performance vary between programs.
Videoconferencing support is included in programs including Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Windows Live Messenger, Skype, iChat, Paltalk (now PaltalkScene), Ekiga , Stickam, and Camfrog.
Some online video broadcasting sites have taken advantage of this technology to create internet television programs centered around two (or