Webcam: Input or Output
 

Is a webcam an input or output device?

thanks...

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Input as far as I know.

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Thanks :tu:

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Input because you're inputing the image from the cam to the PC. :)

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Second vote for input device! It takes video and displays it on your PC, as apposed to a printer which takes data from you PC and outputs it to a piece of paper!!

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

i disagree, its an output device just as your monitor outputs GFX information for you to see, the webcam outputs data for an input device to take....

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

input as it doesnt take data from the pc and outputs it to somewhere else

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

it doesnt matter if its a computer or not, the camera in this case is a webcam example but as per my post here http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...2#post34173102 yesturday, its clear that the linked wireless webcam is an output device as the receaving end, 'the input' is the other part.
http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.co...2&cat=4&page=1
so the camera (the transmitter)is the output.

yes, i agree its also an input, IE. it takes input as light, then converts it to electrical current for OUTPUT to be transmitted to the input device.......

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

According to Wikipedia a webcam is an input device.

The definition of an input device is something thats connected to the input ports, and in this case it's the input ports of a computer, so a Webcam is an input device just like a mouse and keyboard are. see links,

http://www.technologystudent.com/comps/comp3a.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebit...icesrev2.shtml
http://www.answers.com/input%20device
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/input_device.html

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

thinking about it, yeah i guess your right, the primary function is to take input (the light source) were as the secondary function is to output that data.....

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Well it is very confusing when you think about it. :)

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Just a tad....

You could say a mouse is an output device, because it moves a pointer around a display, but we all know it's an input device!

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Normally the terms 'input' and 'output' would be relative to the computer itself.
a computer system always requires I/O ports ( input & output ) it's not much use without any.

Thought of in this ( industry std?) way its not so confusing

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Neither. A strict childhood upbringing forced the webcam to repress its in and out-putting urges.

</psychoanalysis> ;)

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

It's definitely an input device!

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Lol! :rofl:

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

So what about this webcam (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Web.../dp/B000BM60BK)?

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

By it's very nature of being a "webcam" it's an input device. Despite the fact it moves :p:

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Thats like saying a microphone converts airwaves (INPUT) into electrical current (OUTPUT). Which is true, but thats not the way it goes.
The fact is the microphone is still an INPUT, so the microphone is the input where as the speakers are the output.

Like everyone says, the webcam is the input, the pc monitor is the output.
This make sense to me as this is the way I learnt it.

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Why are we discussing this? :shrug:

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

The OP wanted to know?

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

But, apart from the answer being rather obvious (imo), why would anyone ask? :confused:

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

To settle a dispute with someone?

Or, they genuinely didn't know...

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

But there is a signal going FROM the computer TO the webcam. Doesn't this make this particular device an output device?

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

I believe we are talking about it's "primary" purpose (which is inputting a signal to the computer) - there may be a "secondary" function, which is an output from the computer to the webcam.

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

OK - suppose I use the webcam with a headset (e.g. http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...34879&doy=7m12).

What is the "primary" purpose of the headset? ;)

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Haha, stop trying to twist it mate! It's an input device because it plugs into the input ports on the computer. :D

You can argue though that alot of devices have a secondary purpose, even if its a small one. For example my Creative speakers are an output device, however on the control that sits on the desk there is an input for a headphone and microphone.

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

because the OP asked for INPUT, so we gave some OUTPUT..

but then that means the OP is an OUTPUT and we took that as our INPUT and so on .........:erm: :p:

logic and I/O, isnt it just FUN.........

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Easy - it's a dual function device, which is why you have i/o ports :D

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Another vote for "Input" here.

It captures images and INPUTS them into the computer.

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Exactly, stop argueing thats its an output device, because the clear fact is it isn't, just leave it there.

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

..be here, same time, next week, for 'Interesting Discussions' - where we'll be discussing that age old conundrum, 'What colour is Orange Juice..'

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

God everyone knows it's red! :D

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Aw do we have to wait that long :( Can't someone start the thread now ;)

Re: Webcam: Input or Output
 

Go on then :D