Webcam Performance

[sc2071]

So, I bought my mom the $30 LogiTech QuickCam from Target. She's using my old PC which is basically a BioStar 200v MiniPC, AMD Athlon 1800+, 512MB RAM, USB 2.0, VIA Chipset, with Windows XP.

I then returned home a bought myself a LogiTech QuickCam STX (roughly $50). My PC sports an AMD Athlon X2 4200+, 2GB RAM, USB 2.0, nForce4 Chipset, and Windows XP.

Both computers only have the LogiTech drivers installed, not the software (apparently the software causes sound card issues with her audio chipset). My camera is performing way way smoother than hers and I don't know why. Unfortunately, since I return home (which is 3000+ miles away) I am unable to tinker with her computer directly.

I think it could be one of several problems.

1. Her computer is too slow. Maybe a processor or RAM upgrade is required?

2. The VIA USB drivers are not installed and the system is using some MS standard.

3. Her camera is the baseline model and performs crap compared to the STX.

Anybody have any ideas or experiences with webcams to know the answer? I don't want to send her back to the store to pay more for an STX webcam if that isn't the problem.

Thanks!
-sc2071

 

[PurdueRy]

Webcams take a surprising amount of CPU power. Her computer is simply much too slow for higher resolution webcamming. If you can, lower the quality in the software you are using. But, I'm afraid programs like Skype may not work at all.