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:
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Streaming with friends (sharing games and video feed, playing Jackbox games, chatting, etc.)
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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)
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Video call with family and friends
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Occasional use for presenting professional webinars (during occasions when I have to work from home)
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Occasionally pre-recording work-related content that will be publicly viewable
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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.
I'm using a Logitech c920 at home and a brio 500 (for 4k) at work. Both support Linux and windows with no added software.
This is.... exactly my setup too. Works great. The brio is a tiny bit weird in that it appears as two independent video devices in Linux, but choosing the right one is all that's necessary and it works fine.
Is the other video device the infrared camera?
Yeah I think it probably is. Streaming output from it causes the infrared LED to flash rapidly and the image isn't coming from the main lens, it's the smaller lens right next to it.
Those both look like options I can afford! I think one of my playgroup said he uses the c920.
These cameras don't prompt you to install an app each time you reconnect them?
I think I got prompted once for the Logitech mouse, and said no thanks. That's been it.
That's not so bad then. My Razer literally launches the installer every time it's reconnected.
Every. Time.