Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Webcams are now commonly built in to notebook computers, and they're available as
low-cost add-ons to desktop systems. With the availability of Internet messaging services
such as Skype, Google Talk, and Windows Live Messenger, as well as web conferencing
systems such as Cisco's WebEx (see Figure 3.7), the webcam lets work-at-home professionals
collaborate nationally and internationally by maintaining face-to-face contact with their
colleagues.
FIGURE 3.7
Web conference in progress
TV Tuners
TV tuners enable a PC to receive broadcast TV signals (with a compatible antenna) or to
show TV programs from cable or satellite input. With a tuner, you can use your computer's
monitor as a television and use your computer's hard disk as a digital video recorder.
Tuners are available as internal expansion cards, as shown in Figure 3.8, or as external
USB devices.
