What is the Difference between a Webcam and Conferencing Room Camera?

There's been a lot of confusion lately about the difference between webcams and conferencing cameras. In this post, we'll clear up the confusion and help you decide which one is right for you. There's been a lot of confusion lately about the difference between webcams and conferencing cameras. In this post, we'll clear up the mess and help you decide which one is right for you.

Check out our previous article on the Benefits and Roles of Video Conferencing Cameras

What is the difference between a webcam and conferencing camera?

In the market for a new camera? You might be wondering what the difference is between a webcam and a conferencing camera. In this blog post, we'll explain the key differences between the two, and help you decide which one is right for you.

Webcams are designed for close-up shooting and are typically used for video chatting and webcasting. Influencers and content creators prefer high-quality webcams for their social media content. Because they're meant for close-ups, webcams have a relatively wide field of view. However, this can be a downside as it means that your background will be visible to your chat partners.

Learn how to change your background on GoogleMeet here.

Conferencing cameras, on the other hand, are designed for group shots. They typically have a wider field of view, which allows you to frame your shot for each group member. This can be helpful if you're doing a video conference call and you want to make sure everyone in the room is visible.

How to decide between a webcam and a video conference camera?

So, which one is right for you? If you're looking for a camera to use for video chatting as an individual and webcasting, a webcam is a good choice. If you need a camera for video conferencing, a conferencing camera is a better option. Additionally, if you are in a conference room and you need to feature the whole room, a 360 conference camera might be a good idea to purchase.

What is a Webcam? 

Webcams are designed for close-up shooting and are typically used for video chatting and webcasting. Because they're meant for close-ups, webcams have a relatively wide field of view. However, this can be a downside as it means that your background will be visible to your chat partners unless your video conference platform or software allows background blur or virtual backgrounding.  A webcam is a digital video camera that is either built into a computer or connected via USB, WiFi, or Ethernet. Webcams are used for video conferencing and chatting, and can also be used to record video.

Moreover, webcams are normally only facing forward wheres conference or meeting cameras come in wider angles, including 360 conference cameras.

What is Conferencing Camera?

Conferencing cameras, on the other hand, are designed for group shots. They typically have a narrower field of view, which allows you to frame your shot more tightly. This can be helpful if you're doing a video conference call and you want to make sure everyone in the room is visible.

So, which one is right for you? If you're looking for a camera to use for video chatting and webcasting, a webcam is a good choice. If you need a camera for video conferencing, a conferencing camera is a better option. 

A conferencing camera is a digital video camera that is designed for group shots. Conferencing cameras do not have a narrower field of view than webcams and are typically used for video conferencing and calls.

A Brand Offering AI-Integrated Conference Cameras

Coolpo has conference cameras that can double as personal webcams. Here are its AI-integrated products:

1. An enterprise-grade 360 conference camera that is an all-in-one device for conference calls. The AI algorithms in this device use visuals and sound to identify people in a meeting room. How is a 360 conference camera useful? It identifies active meeting participants which then shows these people as if they are talking directly with remote participants. Additionally, it has a fish eye camera on top to capture a panoramic view of the room. Finally, it has integrated microphones and an all-surround speaker that ensures everyone on both sides of the conference is heard. Visit the Coolpo AI Huddle Pana page here.
2. Another enterprise-grade device, this 4k conference room camera with a 110-degree wide-angle view ensures presentations and panel discussions are immersive. The AI algorithms on this meeting camera have various modes:

• It can automatically frame a group of people who are seated in front of it. This means there are no empty spaces within the frame.
• If a person wants to present to the meeting room and to the remote participants, he/she should raise his/her hand with the palm up near the face (like a dignified arm raise). During this presenter mode, the camera can follow the person anywhere within its field of view. Not only that, the AI zooms in on the person to ensure he/she is perfectly framed for the entire presentation. Simply repeat the gesture to deactivate the presenter mode
• Another mode is useful when you want to have small tracking frames for each individual present in your meeting room. This is applicable to up to 7 meeting participants. Within this mode, a 110 wide-angle view of the room will be scene as well. (See Division View)
• The microphones are integrated with beamforming technology. This means that people’s voices are focused, background noise is removed, and echoes are canceled.

For more information on Coolpo AI Huddle Mini, visit its page here.

3. A webcam for all-around use, Coolpo Mini Lite has just entered the video conference market. You can use it, especially for personal use. However, for hybrid workers, you can also use this for group settings because of its 120-degree field of view. Like the Mini, this also has the Division View.

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Conclusion

So there you have it! The critical differences between webcams and conferencing cameras. Now you'll be able to make an informed decision about which one's right for you. For more information on video conferencing cameras that can double as webcams, feel free to visit the Coolpo website at www.coolpolens.com.