Microsoft Modern Webcam 2019 Modern Webcam,Black

Product Information

In Microsoft Teams, select Settings and more to the left of your profile picture at the top, then select Settings . There’s also a toggle to turn off the microphone on the software level. In an odd move, the microphone is turned off by default, as it doesn’t meet Microsoft Teams certification. Surprisingly honest, given that Microsoft makes this device. Despite that caveat, I actually found that the audio I recorded on the built-in microphone was crisp and clear, if prone to echo. It’s not going to beat a dedicated microphone or headset, but it’s as good as any laptop microphone. Autofocus, auto white balance, and low-light correction: Most webcams look pretty good with a professional lighting setup, a thoughtfully-framed and curated set, and some manual software fine-tuning. But if you don't have the space, equipment, time, or patience to perfect your picture, look for a webcam that works well out of the box. We test webcams using both default and manually-configured settings, in a number of ideal and less-than-ideal lighting scenarios. Pre-pandemic, webcams were mostly an afterthought — built into your laptop's bezel as a convenience, nothing more. They weren't good, but we didn't use them enough to care. But since the pandemic made remote working the norm, the market for external webcams has exploded.

And another note. 30 frames per second on this webcam are the basis for video conferencing. For streaming or gaming and 60 fps where every movement on-camera counts, you’d have to look at a more expensive webcam like the Logitech C922 Pro or even the Anker PowerConf C300 and the Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam. There’s also no Windows Hello support on this webcam, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to buy it. If you’re after a Windows Hello webcam, we suggest looking at the Lenovo 500 Full HD USB Webcam instead. Design Microsoft Modern Webcam is Certified for Microsoft Teams with the default settings, which includes the built-in microphone turned off. If you turn on the built-in microphone in the Microsoft Accessory Center app, that could affect certification. You can still use the microphone and speakers on your PC for audio during Teams meetings and calls. Flexibility in Audio Selection: Without an integrated microphone, you are free to choose the microphone of your preference, whether it's a USB microphone, a professional-grade microphone, or a headset. It's impossible to recommend a universally perfect webcam, because there are so many different ways to use webcams these days. It's not as easy as going for ultra high-res 4K and calling it a day — most of the common video conferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams) don't support higher than 720p or 1080p resolution, anyway. (Plus, if you've never looked at a close-up of your skin in ultra-high-def 4K, trust me — it's unnecessary.)Of course, it's far too early to comment on the Modern Webcam's quality, but it's about time that Microsoft had a webcam capable of streaming at 1080p. The specs for the Modern Webcam are only on a par with Logitech's most popular model, but maybe that's all that's needed. As Microsoft looks to give it the broadest appeal, the Modern Webcam has a USB-A connector, rather than USB-C; while this means that you'll need a USB-C hub with newer laptops, those with older PCs shouldn't have any trouble. Typically, Windows Hello is associated with depth-camera technology, which recognizes the various contours of your face, identifying you and only you. (A normal webcam doesn’t understand that it’s looking at a 3D image.) The image is then compared with a reference image which is stored during setup. The process itself is fast: It takes just a second or two for a Windows Hello webcam to recognize you, verify your identity to the PC it’s connected to via a USB cable, and log you in. Windows Hello can also read your fingerprint with a separate Windows Hello fingerprint reader, but these webcams are all you need. 1080p Cost Savings: If you already own a separate microphone, choosing a webcam without a built-in microphone can be a cost-effective solution. Select Calls, dial the number for the person you want to call, then select Call. Select Camera to appear on camera.

After you open Microsoft Teams on your Windows 10/11 PC, here's how to use your webcam during Teams calls and meetings. Place your Microsoft Modern Webcam on top of your external display or laptop display. Rotate the base of your webcam up, so your camera sits securely on top.

Microsoft's first webcam in years ships with "Teams Certification."

There’s no shortage of webcams these days, but Microsoft’s last officially branded webcam came in the late 2010s with the Microsoft LifeCam Studio. Since then a global pandemic has shaped the way we do our work, putting 1080p webcams at the top of things that are needed for any home or school setup. Some of the color temperature settings are a little strong too, and the same effect can randomly differ without anything changing in your frame. Sometimes this makes it seem like the filters you're applying aren't taking effect, because the differences between some of the effects are sometimes incredibly minor or non-existent.

Adjustability: Consider a webcam that offers pan, tilt, and zoom features for better positioning and adaptability to various scenarios. Razer Kiyo Pro: The Razer Kiyo Pro is a good 1080p option for those who don't quite need (or want) 4K resolution. It features HDR and an impressive light sensor that boosts the picture well in low-lighting conditions. Oddly enough, though, the microphone on the webcam is turned off by default, and you’d need to enable it in the Microsoft Accessory Center app, which warns you that turning on the webcam impacts its “Certified for Teams” functions. I didn’t see this hurt anything in Teams despite the message. Additional Features: Explore other features such as autofocus, low-light performance, and frame rate, depending on your specific requirements. The C930e has the same sensor as the C920s Pro, but it has an upgraded lens with a wider field of view — 90 degrees versus the C920s Pro’s 78 degrees. This wider field of view is useful not only because it allows you to display an unnecessary amount of your home office, but also because it adds 4x digital zoom (the C920s Pro also offers digital zoom through Logitech’s Logi Capture software). Digital zoom is useful on a webcam because zooming in gives you some control over camera positioning (tilt/pan), which is handy if your webcam isn’t ideally positioned.

But there is one note. As I’ll explain later, in some cases, when used in combination, these features can be a little intense. For most people, though, the features will help improve your webcam feed in poor lighting conditions. You have full control over all these webcam features in the Microsoft Accessory Center app if you’re unhappy with how your webcam feed is coming out. This is what this Microsoft webcam does best, but more on that later. Connectivity: Determine whether you prefer a USB webcam that plugs into your computer or a wireless option for added convenience and flexibility. We were especially impressed with the Brio 500’s auto-white balance, which is something almost all webcams struggle with — it wasn’t perfect, but it was almost as impressive as the auto-white balance seen on much pricier webcams, such as the Insta360 Link. Logitech’s RightLight 4 technology, which is designed to compensate in less-than-ideal lighting situations, did an excellent job of producing flattering, evenly-lit images in both low and overexposed lighting. The IPTNIC 1080p webcam (avoid buying the 720p model, the TP01) is a relative newcomer, and its strength is that it’s the bargain-basement option.