Hi, I’m on Windows 10 at home and Windows 11 at work. I’m going to migrate to Linux for my next PC (might eventually do it on this one, though I’ve currently done so many tweaks that I intend to keep this for gaming for now). Our two laptops and mini-PC already run Linux Mint, but I digress… (I just don’t want anyone to think I’m totally unaware of the problems with Windows and Microsoft.)

My uses for a webcam are:

  • Streaming with friends (sharing games and video feed, playing Jackbox games, chatting, etc.)

  • Playing Magic the Gathering via Spelltable (so it needs to be able to be positioned facing my playmat and good enough quality to detect the cards)

  • Video call with family and friends

  • Occasional use for presenting professional webinars (during occasions when I have to work from home)

  • Occasionally pre-recording work-related content that will be publicly viewable

  • Use with OBS virtual camera

At work, I use a Logitech camera that my employer provided me with OBS software. It’s an older model, but I’m not sure of model number or anything off the top of my head. It’s not the best, and I’d like something a bit better at home.

At home, I was using a similar Logitech camera, but a year ago I decided to upgrade and purchased the Razer Kiyo Pro. What a mistake! Every time this camera gets plugged in, it prompts me to install Razer Synapse. It even puts the installer directly on my hard drive without my permission!

I’ve saved up a bit, and I’d like to try again with a different camera, one that doesn’t push its proprietary software on me. I was considering Logitech, but iirc Logi’s newer models also do the same thing. Or is this wrong?

Either way, I’d be so grateful if someone could recommend a reasonably high quality budget camera in the ~$100 range. I could go up to maybe $125, but after that it would start to really hurt.

I’ve done a lot of searching myself, but it turns out it’s pretty hard to find a camera that doesn’t either require or constantly push its proprietary software, and apparently some people [checks notes] like the proprietary software being shoved at them???

Anyway, I’d be so thankful if you could help. This community helped me so much before when I needed a modem and router to escape the clutches of my IP, so I thought maybe someone would have some advice.

  • @fhqwgadsEnglish
    5•5 months ago

    If you already have a camera with HDMI output sitting around a capture card can be a great way to get really good image quality for not much money. If 720p is enough I’ve actually had really good success with these incredibly cheap ones: https://youtu.be/daS5RHVAl2U - I’ve even seen them at places like Walmart and Target under the Vivitar brand so they’re readily available.

    If you don’t look around locally for used Sony cameras. Because 1080p is only 2 mega pixels and many of the nicer old Sony cameras have clean HDMI output you can get kind of amazing image quality for very cheap. Some newer model mirrorless cameras got updates to run as a webcam directly off the USB port but they’re likely out of your budget and some require software. (Edit: make sure you check if the model you’re looking at has clean HDMI out - some do, some don’t, and some do with some tweaking. This site has a decent bit probably incomplete list: http://wasge.es/clean_output/ )

    If you want a more traditional webcam and need autofocus something like the Logitech c920 family is probably your best bet but the constant revisions may have added a software install. Most cameras are including software since realistically they’re all basically the same and most of the “features” are added in the software.

    If you don’t need autofocus, there are a number of companies taking Sony “security camera” sensors and slapping them in boxes with screw mount lenses. ELP and Mokose are examples but there are others. With enough light these generally look pretty dang good. If you pick one up and decide later to upgrade, it can probably live mounted up high just for playing magic, especially since there are a few 4k ones that will probably let you read the tiniest of text on the cards.

    • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
      3•5 months ago

      capture card

      Hmm I need to do some research. I’m not really sure what these are for or what they do, but I’ll look into it, thanks.

      Most cameras are including software since realistically they’re all basically the same and most of the “features” are added in the software

      Yes, I understand. It’s always been this way, but then the way to do it is to either sell the software, or include instructions on how to retrieve it, not to automatically drop an installer on someone’s PC the moment one connects the device. From my POV, I’m shopping for hardware. If I’m looking for software features, I can shop for those separately.

      I’ve heard that Logitech does do the same thing Razer does now, but I’ve also heard they don’t. It’s frustrating not being able to find this information.

      ELP and Mokose

      I’ll look into this as well. Seems like people have had focus issues though, based on reviews I saw.

      You’ve given me some options. I’m sure there’s some cheap brand out there somewhere that doesn’t force the installer, but it’s even hard to find facts about whether they do or don’t.

      • @fhqwgadsEnglish
        2•5 months ago

        capture card

        Hmm I need to do some research. I’m not really sure what these are for or what they do, but I’ll look into it, thanks.

        Sorry, probably should have explained. If you have a camera that has an HDMI or other video output they basically convert it to a USB camera.

        I’ll look into this as well. Seems like people have had focus issues though, based on reviews I saw.

        Most of the models they put out don’t have autofocus at all, you have to physically turn it to focus. Depending on exactly how your setup works that may or may not be viable - overhead cam like for playing magic probably doesn’t move much, but for video conferences where you shift in your chair it might be weird if the room is a bit darker.

        • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
          2•5 months ago

          If you have a camera that has an HDMI or other video output they basically convert it to a USB camera.

          I have an action cam (like a knockoff gopro) that has a pretty good image. So I could use that as a Webcam if I had one of those capture cards?

          Also, I forgot to mention: It doesn’t have to read all the text on a card, it just needs to be able to accurately detect which card it is, then Spelltable pulls up the card text from a database.

          • @fhqwgadsEnglish
            2•5 months ago

            If it has an HDMI output without too much junk on it yes. Sometimes the HDMI output will have the same interface that’s on the screen, sometimes it will be clean, and sometimes it shows the interface but you can shut it off so it doesn’t matter. You can usually crop out the interface in OBS but you’ll lose some resolution doing that. You should be able to plug it into a monitor or TV and check fairly easily.

            • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
              2•5 months ago

              I’ll try it. If I can stream with this, I’ll be so pleased. I’ve taken longboarding footage with this thing, and it always looks crystal clear.

              I think I’m gonna look for the one at Walmart next time I’m there. This action cam even fits my existing mounting hardware so this will be perfect if I can get it working!

              Thank you so much.