Webcam
A webcam is a camera and peripheral that connects to a computer. Webcams capture either still pictures or motion video, and with the aid of software, can transmit its video on the Internet in real-time. The picture is of a Logitech Webcam C270, a modern example of a webcam that attaches to a desktop or laptop computer.
Today, most webcams are either embedded in the top edge of a laptop computer display or connected to the computer USB (Universal Serial Bus) or FireWire port.
Unlike a digital camera and digital camcorder, a webcam does not have any built-in storage. Instead, it is always connected to a computer and uses the computer hard drive as its storage.
The first webcam
The first widely-publicized webcam was the XCoffee, also known as the Trojan Room coffee pot. The idea of the web camera was invented and began operating in 1991 with the help of Quentin Stafford-Fraser and Paul Jardetzky. The camera was then connected to the Internet in November 1993 with the help of Daniel Gordon and Martyn Johnson.
The XCoffee webcam monitored a coffee pot outside the Trojan Room in the University of Cambridge, so people didn't waste time going down to get coffee if none was brewed. After being mentioned in the news, the website had over 150,000 people online watching the coffee pot. The webcam went offline on August 22, 2001. The picture shows how the XCoffee appeared online.
Are cameras and webcams input or output devices
Digital cameras and webcams are input devices because they move (input) pictures and videos from the camera to the computer. The computer can remotely control these devices and modify the files on them but nothing is ever outputted from the computer to the camera.
Some digital cameras could be considered an output device if they have a screen. Because these types of cameras can display (output) their pictures, they could be considered an input/output device.
Webcam privacy
Because all laptop computers now have webcams built into them, it's understandable that most users may worry about someone hacking the computer and spying on them. Because of this concern most laptops today have a privacy shutter, which moves a small plastic cover over the camera lens and prevents it from filming anything. For laptops that don't have this cover users may also stick a piece of paper or tape over the lens.
A privacy shutter may also be called a camera cover, camera shutter, or webcam cover.
Accessory, Camera, Camera terms, Hardware terms, Input device, iSight, Peripheral, USB, Video call, Videoconferencing, Web