AVerMedia Live Streamer CAM 313 (PW313C): problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-29
Summary
The recurring complaints are a weak low-light picture, auto white balance and exposure that need manual tuning, and a fixed-focus lens that softens outside a 40 to 100 cm band. There are no consumables and no subscription, and the camera runs on USB bus power, so a working unit costs $0 a year to run. It is a fair buy at a low entry price, roughly the historical sub-$60 band, but it loses its edge at or above a discounted Logitech C920.
Common problems and fixes
- Fixed focus softens outside 40 to 100 cm — the lens is set for a 40 cm to 100 cm working distance with no autofocus, so moving out of that band blurs the picture; the only fix is to keep your distance. [2][3]
- Narrow 65-degree field of view — 65 degrees horizontal, 40 vertical and 70 diagonal frames a close head-and-shoulders shot rather than a wide room, and it cannot be widened in this camera. [4]
- Dual-mono microphones — the two built-in microphones are mono, not stereo, so audio is call-grade; the fix is an external microphone. [2][3]
Parts and consumables
No replaceable parts or consumables reported. The camera is a small sealed bus-powered unit with no published parts catalogue, the only recurring software is AVerMedia’s free effects and firmware tooling, and the one optional accessory owners add is a tripod, which is not in the box even though the base is tripod-ready. [2][3][5]
Yearly running cost
$0 for a unit that stays out of trouble. The camera is bus-powered over USB with no external supply, needs no filters or pods, has no subscription, and AVerMedia’s effects and firmware software is free, so it adds nothing per year. [1][2][3]
The running cost is therefore consumables $0 plus subscription $0 plus extra electricity $0. The only money most owners spend again is one-off, and that is a tripod if they want one. [3]
When it is a good buy
The inputs carry no live street price, so nothing here is a current figure. The 2019 review’s reference point was a low entry price, roughly the historical sub-$60 band, where it judged the camera good value for someone getting into streaming; at or above the price of a discounted Logitech C920-class webcam the same review called the C920 comparable and the better value, so the PW313C loses its edge there. [1]
- At a low entry price (roughly the historical sub-$60 band) it is a reasonable starter webcam if you want a privacy shutter, 360-degree positioning, and do not need autofocus or a wide field of view. [1]
Alternatives worth the money instead: