A great new USB WebCam!
Written: Dec 14 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: High picture quality, Versatile, Easy to Install and Use, Attractive Design, Great Software Bundle
Cons: None worth mentioning
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| seraphim's Full Review: 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital Camera |
I first began using digital PC cameras in the days of the original, "white ball" QuickCam - and yes, it was monochrome. I've tried out the QuickCam, QuickCam2, Panasonic EggCam, ZoomCam USB and the iRez Kritter and now I have been completely sold on the 3Com HomeDirect Web Cam. The image quality of this camera is really amazing, and it's color and brightness controls make for great quality photos under any lighting conditions. This camera is the product of Vista Imaging's ViCam research and development, and is quickly becoming the market leader for personal computer desktop imaging. Combined with the Lens Pack from Vista Imaging this product becomes even more versatile (the Vista Imaging Lens Pack costs $59.99 and comes with a 3.6 mm F:2.0 Wide Angle Lens, an 8.0mm F:2.5 Close Up Lens, and a 12.0mm F:2.0 Super Close Up Lens).
This camera is sleek and sexy; its black streamlined appearance is very easy on the eyes. The interchangeable lenses are very easy to screw on and off. The camera itself installs on Windows 98 computers in a matter of minutes using USB connections. The HomeConnect delivers resolutions from 128-by-96 pixels all the way up to 1,280 by 960, however at the greater resolutions the images become a bit choppy for streaming video applications (nothing like the old QuickCam 1 was over a 33.6K connection, however). The ease and quality of use even lead to certification for use in biomedical environments by Biometrics for Secure Enterprise Computing Laboratories. My oral surgeon uses this camera to take before and after diagnostic shots of profiles and to create images of possible surgical outcomes. I have been told that this camera is in use all across the nation by similar practices in maxillofacial, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. If it's good enough for the medical profession it is definitely good enough for my own personal usage.
At my place of employment we have also deployed these cameras as loss prevention devices. Using WebCam 32 software (bundled with the product) we broadcast office-images to a secure Internet site so that employees can watch the office in their absence, or in the case of stolen assets we can track (through monitored images in a legacy database) the movements of these articles. The current company set up is when there is a 20% change in image a picture is taken every 4 seconds until motion returns to 0%. I've found this to be invaluable in cases of crime deterrence, and perhaps in the near future they will be useful in criminal prosecution.
The software bundled with the 3Com HomeDirect USB PC Camera includes WebCam 32, PC Digital Video, PC Digital Camera Utilities and Picture Works. Of course the standard products for video e-mail, video conferencing and streaming audio/video are included as well. For personal usage these products are all that you will need for all of your at-home and most of your business needs this is the right camera for you, and with pricing between $104 and $160 depending on the vendor you choose it is definitely a worthwhile expenditure.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
seraphim
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Location: Upstate New York
Reviews written: 106
Trusted by: 34 members
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