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.

  • @aksdbEnglish
    7•5 months ago

    Do you have an old SmartPhone lying around? Or could you put aside your SmartPhone during those usage scenarios? Then grab DroidCam (or rather DroidCam OBS, if you mainly need it together with OBS) and you have a camera quality that can compete with dedicated cameras (not webcams). Almost all webcams suck hard in comparison.

    • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
      3•5 months ago

      Wouldn’t I have to manually start the phone and launch the app each time I want to use it? Most of the time I use it with friends, it’s one of those, “We’re online, hop on if you’re able” type scenarios, and I’ve been able to join in seconds, or a family member will text and want to video call. With the phone, I’d have to make sure it’s perpetually charged or plugged in.

      It’s not a bad idea for certain use cases, but I think in my case I’d be better off with a dedicated computer peripheral.

      • @aksdbEnglish
        5•5 months ago

        True, you will need 10 to 20 seconds setup each time. But the video quality is really impressive. And another upside: you can be damn sure that no one watches you without you knowing, because you have to setup the cam each time and it doesn’t just sit there. But I guess that’s only a minor advantage.

        I put up a specific mount to quickly put the smartphone in place and have a dedicated charger cable right beside it I just need to attach real quick. If I used my iPhone, I could probably make use of the MagSafe mechanism to mount and charge in one go. (I think there are also MagSafe compatible cases for other phones, so that might be something to think about in general.)

        • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
          4•5 months ago

          you can be damn sure that no one watches you without you knowing,

          I’m in the habit of keeping the lens completely covered when not in use, so this is really not a problem for me.

          I can look at some mounts. That’s another thing that’s hard to find – I’ve purchased two for my bicycle in the past that both broke within a matter of months, and it’s hard to find anything that conforms well to my workspace. For positioning my camera, I went through three mounts before finding one that works to point down at my playmat without being too close or too far away, and even the one I ended up with is less than ideal. I thought the gooseneck ones would be good, but the one I tried was actually the worst of all at keeping my camera in position.

          • @aksdbEnglish
            1•5 months ago

            I bought one of those arms you can attach to the desk and then position as necessary. They have a standard ISO mount you can use for cams, microphones, etc… I also attached my normal webcam to it before. No I have a smartphone mount (this one, to be precise) on it.

            • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
              1•5 months ago

              What is the normal webcam you use? I really think a normal webcam would be best for me vs. using an old phone. There must be a camera that’s just plug and play that doesn’t do what this Razer does.

              • @aksdbEnglish
                2•5 months ago

                It was a Logitech C922. It’s a piece of shit though. A bit less than other webcams I had, but I can’t even properly key out my greenscreen if the lighting in the room is not 100% perfect. With the smartphone cam it works even with completly shitty lighting.

                The only webcam I would have somewhat hope in would be the Obsbot Tiny 2, but €350 is too much for something I can solve with an old smartphone. (Also I don’t need 70% of the features of the obsbot tiny; I mainly want a good sensor and image processing.)

                • Mario_Dies.wavOPEnglish
                  1•5 months ago

                  Ok, ok! I’ll give the smartphone a whirl. I have nothing to lose.

                  I’ve got an old Samsung S8+ that I use as an mp3 player sometimes when I don’t want to be reachable by phone. I can try it, and if it works for me, I’ll look into a good mount. Maybe I’ll be able to find one that works with my existing scissor arm I’ve been using for my webcam.

                  Does it seem to you that hardware has gotten worse the past 5 years? I feel like there are fewer decent options now than we had in the past. Enshittification hits hardware too, I suppose.

                  • @aksdbEnglish
                    2•5 months ago

                    I don’t think it got worse. At least in regards to webcams. It looks more like that for many years they essentially re-used the same sensors in different cams and didn’t really evolve. Which always seemed weird, given that smartphone with fantastic sensors have been around for ages now - with lenses which are likely even smaller than what a webcam would be able to allow. Only the relatively recent home office trend has brought some change. But so far it still doesn’t look too good.