HP 965 Streaming Camera: A Complete Review
Webcams were first introduced back in the mid-1990s. Around the same time, advances in internet speed and video compression made teleconferencing more viable than ever before. The increasing popularity of livestreaming drove further innovation, and now, webcams are widely used in all sorts of applications.
Most modern laptops include a built-in webcam, so almost everyone has access to one - but the truth is that laptop webcams can be limited when it comes to power and flexibility.
If you’re in the market for a top-notch webcam, look no further than the HP 965 4K streaming webcam. It’s one of HP’s top webcams, and suitable for a variety of uses.
Who uses webcams?
Even as video calls became more common in the early 2010s, webcams weren’t seen as essential peripherals by a lot of consumers. That changed in 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to adopt work-from-home policies and schools to move to remote learning.
As a result, webcam usage - and demand - skyrocketed.
Business owners and professionals
Working from home, once seen as a luxury for many, has become the new normal in many industries. More people than ever before are working remotely, and teleconferencing has become essential.
If you’re a busy professional participating in multiple video calls a day, an external webcam is integral to being seen and heard as clearly as possible. Whether it’s a big meeting with another department or an important presentation for a client, you won’t get very far with a low-quality webcam.
According to a survey conducted by PwC, a business consulting agency, up to 75% of webcam users stated they judge others by the quality of their video or audio during a teleconference. With that in mind, it’s important that you have a high-quality camera, so you and your ideas stand out.
Students and instructors
Professionals weren’t the only ones who found themselves working remotely during the pandemic. Unable to return to the classroom in-person, students of all ages had to quickly adapt to remote learning via group video calls.
While a high-quality external webcam is helpful for students, it is even more important for their instructors. Using a low-quality camera can hinder communication and collaboration, and students may miss important points or assignments due to muddy audio or low resolution.
Gamers and streamers
The popularity of livestreaming continues to grow, especially in the world of video games and eSports. Some players have even reached celebrity status thanks to their skill or outrageous personalities.
Top streamers all over the world are now instantly recognizable thanks to their on-screen persona, which is typically captured by a high-quality webcam and microphone. If you’re interested in livestreaming, you won’t get very far with a subpar webcam - gamers always expect the highest quality.
HP is well-known for top-of-the-line PC peripherals, and that includes webcams. No matter what you use a webcam for, we’ve got you covered with the HP 965 4K streaming camera.
Small but mighty: the HP 965 4K streaming camera
The HP 965 4K streaming camera is one of HP’s most powerful offerings, and it combines high-quality picture and audio with automatic AI enhancement - so you look and sound your best, no matter the environment.
Superior image and sound quality
The HP 965 is capable of 1920 x 1080 Full High Definition (FHD) video at 60 frames per second (FPS) or 3840 × 2160 Ultra High Definition (4K UHD) at 30FPS. This is thanks to its powerful 8MP Sony Starvis CMOS sensor.
You might be wondering how a camera’s megapixel count translates to standard screen resolutions.
A megapixel is equal to 1 million pixels - and if you multiply the vertical and horizontal measurements in a resolution, you get the total amount of pixels. For instance, 1920 x 1080 screens have a total of 2,073,600 pixels, or about 2MP.
That means the HP 965 4K streaming webcam is capable of images with up to 8,294,400 pixels for an incredibly clear, crisp image.
But resolution isn’t the only thing that impacts a camera’s image quality. There’s also the size of the aperture, which is the small hole that light passes through to reach the sensor. Larger apertures allow more light in, producing a clear image even in low-light environments.
The size of an aperture is measured in F-stops, and lower F-stops correspond to wider apertures.
The HP 965 has an 18 mm lens with an F-stop of 2, making it incredibly versatile no matter how much light you have to work with.
To enhance the image even more, the HP 965 is capable of high dynamic range (HDR). Dynamic range refers to the difference between the brightest and darkest pixels on a screen. That means HDR-capable cameras like the HP 965 produce images with higher contrast and more vibrant colors.
But enough about the image quality, what about sound? That may be even more important in ensuring smooth communication. Luckily, the HP 965 webcam’s integrated dual-microphone array will have you sounding your best in any environment.
Extreme Flexibility
Not all webcams are as versatile as the HP 965. Built-in laptop webcams are limited to the screen’s range of motion, and lower-end external webcams don’t always move the way you require.
This is not a problem with the HP 965 streaming webcam. Thanks to its adjustable base with full 360-degree swivel and 90-degree tilt, you can frame yourself perfectly in any environment. It can also be easily attached to a tripod for even more versatility.
That’s not all. The webcam is also equipped with HP Presence software and built-in artificial intelligence that automatically enhances the image.
For instance, HP’s auto-frame technology ensures the subject stays in focus: you can set it for upper body, head and shoulders, or head depending on your distance from the camera. It can even project an image behind you to obscure distracting background elements.
Unlike lower-end webcams, the HP 965 includes an adjustable field of view, or FOV. The FOV indicates the width of a camera’s viewing angle - so a high FOV means you’ll get a wider view, while a low FOV corresponds to a narrow view. The HP 965 features three built-in FOV options: 100 degrees, 90 degrees, and 78 degrees.
One final feature worth mentioning involves keystoning, which is an optical effect that causes certain objects in the frame to become warped due to the angle of the camera. The HP 965 features automatic keystone correction that renders this issue obsolete. This is particularly helpful for ensuring maximum clarity of presentation aids, such as a whiteboard, which can be especially prone to keystoning.
Other features
The HP 965 streaming webcam is compatible with Windows 10 and 11-based systems, as well as MacOS 10.10+ and ChromeOS. Connect it to the system of your choice via any USB 3.0 Type-A slot.
Worried about privacy? There’s no need to disconnect the webcam from your computer when it’s not in use thanks to the convenient magnetic lens cover.
Finally, it’s important to note that HP stays dedicated to protecting the environment: the HP 965 is manufactured using 85% post-consumer recycled plastic, and the packaging materials are sustainably sourced and recyclable.
Conclusion
A webcam is no longer a “nice to have” peripheral. In some industries, it’s absolutely necessary! Don’t let a low-quality webcam hinder your communications. The HP 965 streaming camera is the perfect option for any user, from professionals to students to gamers and everyone in between.
