{"id":16319,"date":"2013-10-22T13:26:41","date_gmt":"2013-10-22T17:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cam4.com\/?p=16319"},"modified":"2013-10-31T12:08:02","modified_gmt":"2013-10-31T16:08:02","slug":"starter-kit-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/performer-2\/starter-kit-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Webcamming Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re new to camming or you want to make sure your set-up is right, here&#8217;s a quick guide to help you get started.<\/p>\n<h2>Webcams<\/h2>\n<p>If you have a Mac, use the built in webcam. If you have a PC you&#8217;ll need to a webcam with at least a\u00a0640&#215;480 pixel or better glass lens. More mega pixels allow for a better range of color and clarity. Here&#8217;s two entry level webcam options we love:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16331\" alt=\"cam4 chat room\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/microsoft-lifecam-.jpg\" width=\"231\" height=\"268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/microsoft-lifecam-.jpg 385w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/microsoft-lifecam--258x300.jpg 258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Microsoft-LifeCam-Studio-Webcam-Q2F-00013\/dp\/B0096KSBB0\/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1382386330&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=microsoft+lifecam\" target=\"_blank\">Microsoft Lifecam Studio<\/a>\u00a0$45 on Amazon<\/p>\n<p>A basic starter cam with a 1080p HD widescreen sensor for sharpness and image quality. Features include auto-focus, glass lens, TrueColor Technology for crisp colours in most lighting conditions, and a built-in mic.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16332\" alt=\"logitech portable HD\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/logitech-portable-HD-500x386.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/logitech-portable-HD-500x386.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/logitech-portable-HD-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/logitech-portable-HD.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Logitech-Portable-Webcam-Autofocus-960-000733\/dp\/B004YW7WCY\/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1382386518&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=logitech+webcams\" target=\"_blank\">Logitech HD Portable Webcam<\/a>\u00a0$69 on Amazon<\/p>\n<p>Full 1080p HD video recording and dazzling 8 MP photos all in a portable webcam.\u00a0Comes with\u00a0Auto Focus for extreme close-ups, a\u00a0360-degree full motion rotational camera, fold-and-go portability and tripod-ready base. Works with PC and Mac.<\/p>\n<p>Want something more advanced? Check back soon, advanced and professional webcam guides are next!<\/p>\n<p><em>*Please make sure your computer is compatible with a webcam before purchasing*<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Internet<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-16369\" alt=\"speedtest.net\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Screen-Shot-2013-10-22-at-1.04.54-PM-500x277.png\" width=\"500\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Screen-Shot-2013-10-22-at-1.04.54-PM-500x277.png 500w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Screen-Shot-2013-10-22-at-1.04.54-PM-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Screen-Shot-2013-10-22-at-1.04.54-PM.png 1106w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You need a minimum\u00a0uploading speed\u00a0of 1MB to run an entry-level webcam. Contact your internet provider to change your speed or select the connection best for you.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mailvu.com\/blog\/improve-the-quality-of-your-webcam-video\/\" target=\"_blank\">This website is incredibly helpful for webcamming basics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When you&#8217;re broadcasting and you notice a poor quality video, check your connection &amp; upload speed on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.speedtest.net\" target=\"_blank\">speedtest.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Lighting<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16370\" alt=\"cam4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/floor_lamp.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/floor_lamp.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/floor_lamp-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/floor_lamp-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Grab a lamp or two and make sure the bulbs are the same color. This is a good time to go out and buy a new box of <em>compact fluorescent bulbs<\/em>. \u00a0These allow you to choose your color temperature and brightness levels, plus they&#8217;re energy efficient!\u00a0Learn more about all\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.homedepot.com\/c\/webapp\/catalog\/servlet\/ContentView?pn=how_to_choose_right_compact_fluorescent_light_bulb_HT_BG_EL&amp;storeId=10051&amp;langId=-1&amp;catalogid=10053\" target=\"_blank\">bulb options here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16378\" alt=\"Two-Point-Video-Lighting-Basic-Online-Video-Light-Setup1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Two-Point-Video-Lighting-Basic-Online-Video-Light-Setup1-500x369.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Two-Point-Video-Lighting-Basic-Online-Video-Light-Setup1-500x369.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Two-Point-Video-Lighting-Basic-Online-Video-Light-Setup1-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Two-Point-Video-Lighting-Basic-Online-Video-Light-Setup1.jpg 541w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>The ideal set up for lighting.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Now, take your lamp(s) and put them <em>behind<\/em> your webcam. The light source should always be behind your camera, not behind you.\u00a0Standing lamps and tree lamps make perfect at-home lighting with no extra costs.\u00a0Try not to use natural light. If you do, put a white sheet over your window to soften the light.<\/p>\n<p>For more lighting tips, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/cowboyfrank.net\/webcams\/HowToLight.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Cowboy Frank&#8217;s easy to follow instructions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Music<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Playing music is fun for you and your viewers. Avoid using your computer as this will slow down your connection and be too loud. You want your music to be background noise, so use your phone or iPod, radio, TV, stereo system etc.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/contests\/strip-tease-soundtrack\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Best Strip Tease Songs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Running music through your computer will make your internet connection slower and your cam quality drops. It&#8217;s as easy as playing YouTube songs on your phone or tablet.<\/p>\n<p>And there you have it &#8211; all you need to get started really isn&#8217;t that \u00a0much. Once you get more comfortable, you can learn things like how to use external webcams to do split-view shows.<\/p>\n<h2>Got more questions? Leave &#8217;em in the comments and our Model Coach will be here to answer them!<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"xl\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\" target=\"_blank\">Start a Cam4 broadcast<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re new to camming or you want to make sure your set-up is right, here&#8217;s a quick guide to help you get<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":16376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[526],"tags":[236],"class_list":["post-16319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-performer-2","tag-performer","performer-2"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cam4.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}