U.S. Headquarters Location: Lists the city and state where the vendor’s U.S. headquarters are located

Main Telephone Number: The primary telephone number at the vendor’s U.S. headquarters location

Internet Address: The vendor’s web site address

Product: The model name for each of the vendors’ products being covered

Product Introduction Date: The date that the vendor first introduced or first started shipping the product

Type of Equipment: Describes the particular type of equipment being offered (such as USB or Web camera, for notebook or desktop computer application)

Date Information Verified: The actual date when the product information was last checked and verified to be correct and current

Geographic Coverage: States the coverage areas where the products are being sold (either directly by the vendor or through distribution channels), which could include North America, Central and Latin America, Europe, Africa and Mid East, and Asia-Pacific, or Global (which could encompass multiple or all regions)

Camera Sensor Type: States the type of sensor technology (usually CMOS or VGA CMOS) used by the camera

Megapixels: States the video megapixel rating of the camera, which typically ranges from 1.3 to 2.0; generally a higher megapixel rated camera generates a higher quality video image

Manual or Auto Focus: states whether the camera is equipped with a manual or automatic focusing lens; some cameras utilize fixed focus technology but allow the user to manually alter the focus if necessary

Field of Focus: indicates the focal range of the camera, usually specified as a distance range (indicating how close or how far away the image may be and still remain in proper focus)

Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) Supported: states whether the camera offers any pan, tilt, or zoom capabilities (pan refers to horizontal movement, tilt refers to vertical movement. And zoom refers to optical or digital zoom capacity)

Zoom Capability: lists the digital or optical zoom capacity of the camera

Viewing Angle: states the viewing angle supported by the camera (in degrees)

Video Resolution: Video resolution is a measure of image quality and clarity. The higher the resolution, the better the quality and clarity. Video resolution is measured as the number of pixels across times the number of pixels high (where pixels are individual colored dots that are used to form the images presented on screen). While higher numbers (and therefore higher resolutions) mean better pictures, they also mean more memory/bandwidth to store and transmit the information. In some cases there may also be tradeoffs in maximum frame rate (the speed at which the video images are refreshed expressed as frames per second or fps) and the maximum resolution. As an example, standard definition (SD) analog TV offers 480i resolution (at 720x480 pixels) running at 30fps; extended definition (ED) TV offers480p resolution (at 720x480 pixels) also running at 30fps; high definition TV offers 720p resolution (at 1280x720 pixels) and ultrahigh definition (HD) TV offers 1080p resolution (at 1280x1080, 1440x1080, or 1920x1080 pixels). The list of video resolutions offered and supported on the different systems consists of the following (which includes resolution levels applicable to still image/graphic files):

QSIF – 180x120

SIF – 352x240

4SIF – 704x480

QCIF – 176x144

CIF (or FCIF) – 352x288 (about the same as VHS quality video)

4CIF – 704x576 (close to broadcast or DVD quality video)

QVGA – 320x240

Half VGA – 640x240

W288p – 512x288

400p – 528x400

W448p – 576x448

VGA – 640x480

W576p – 1024x576

SXGA – 1280x1024

XGA – 1024x768 (typical PC/laptop display)

480i/p – 720x480

720p – 1280x720 (high definition)

1080p – 1920x1080, 1280x1080, or 1440x1080 (ultra high definition)

Still Image Resolution: like video resolution, but states the still image or photo resolution level supported by the camera (which may be listed in pixels or megapixels); many of the Web and USB cameras support both video and snapshot (photo) functionality

Video Frame Rates: Defines the speed at which the video image is displayed, so 30frames per second (30fps) means that 30 separate frames are changed every second. As a basis to understand this term, standard definition TV typically runs at 30fps while high definition TV typically runs at 50/60 fields per second. The higher the frame rate the smoother the video image. Lower frame rates could result in less fluent video movement and very low frame rates could result in a rather choppy appearing video. Typical frame rate offerings range from 5fps to 30fps, often with different frame rates supporting different video resolution levels.

Additional Connections Supported: states any additional connections offered on the camera, such as the ability to connect external microphones, headsets, USB devices, etc.

Type of Mounting: states the type of mounting for the camera, which could be clips on monitor, sits on monitor or desktop, available with a mounting stand, etc.

Type of Connection: Identifies the type of connection supported between the camera and the personal computer; most cameras in this module utilize a USB port, which may be a USB1.1, USB2.0, or both

Face Tracking Supported: some Web and USB cameras support a Face Tracking capability, allowing the camera to essentially follow the user’s facial movements and still remain in focus; additionally, some cameras support motion detection allowing them to be set up as monitors and to start transmitting video when motion is detected

3D Capable: some cameras support the transmission of video (and still) images with a 3D-type effect (which likely will also require the use of special 3D glasses for viewing)

Built-in Microphones: states whether or not the camera is equipped with a built-in microphone; if not, then the user will need to provide an external microphone or headset, or utilize a computer equipped with a microphone (or other audio device)

High Definition: Identifies whether or not the camera can be operated in true high definition (HD) mode, running at 720p or 1080p resolution

PC Requirements: this field lists the basic requirements for the PC, such as type of processor and type of operating system required to support the operation of the camera

Dimensions: states the physical dimensions of the camera unit

Additional Capabilities: This field is used to list any additional capabilities or optional accessories that may be offered on the camera (that have not been addressed in any of the previous data fields)

Pricing: States the basic list price (in US$) for the camera; where available, typical discounts and/or street prices are also shown

Strengths: List the strengths of the camera and/or the vendor as compared to other like products available in the market

Weaknesses: List the weaknesses of the camera and/or the vendor as compared to other like products available in the market