Author Topic: Webcam issues  (Read 707 times)

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Webcam issues
« on: 05 February, 2021, 11:28:54 pm »
We recently bought a new mac Mini for Jan to replace her very old one which was very slow. This is all quite an adventure and learning curve for us as previously all hardware issues were handled by Dez who just made things work and rarely involved us in the process. Now we have to do stuff for ourselves as he moved out over 6 months ago.

We were pretty pleased with the transfer of data using the Mac-specific app, but of course the ports on the back of the computer were a different configuration so we had to buy a USB hub to connect up all the stuff. We found that Jan's old (very old) Creative HD180p web cam was very hit and miss with the new computer, more miss than hit. It only worked once and that needed a reboot. Other reboots failed to make it work.

We bought one of these which arrived today. But the image it produces is pretty blurry. Does the panel know of things we can try to improve it? There is a chrome coloured ring around the lens and this has improved it, but to my mind it should just autofocus.

Thanks!
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Webcam issues
« Reply #1 on: 05 February, 2021, 11:31:15 pm »
There isn't a protective plastic film over the lens, is there?

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Webcam issues
« Reply #2 on: 05 February, 2021, 11:35:49 pm »
Jan says no, and she has messed about with the chrome-coloured ring and it seems much sharper.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Webcam issues
« Reply #3 on: 05 February, 2021, 11:40:01 pm »
From that Amazon page:

Quote
SPECIFICATIONS:Name: 1080P HD USB webcam
Color:Black
DSP chip: Driverless
USB Interface: USB2.0/3.0
Dynamic resolution:1920*1080
High defintion: 2 million pixels
Focus mode: Manual focus
Frame rate: 30fps
Item size: 9.5*8.2*5.4cm(L*W*H)
Item weigh Approx : 130g

So maybe it can't autofocus?  Would make sense given the price, though I'd expect the cheap ones to have tiny aperture lenses so they don't really have to do any focusing.

Re: Webcam issues
« Reply #4 on: 06 February, 2021, 07:50:27 am »
Was the USB hub you bought powered? It’s possible you’re initial Creative camera wasn’t able to draw enough power thus operating intermittently.

Is it possible to plug it in directly or via a powered hub?