A Great Value
Written: Dec 17 '99
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: works well, easy setup, clear pictures
Cons: looks silly, non-weighted base
|
|
|
| tifsim831's Full Review: Philips PC Camera |
Alright. Let's just get straight to the point. I picked this up at a major computer chain, while i was buying for the office. It was in an ad for $50, and i went especially for that item. I took it home for a test run, and never took it to the office. The USB works as I had expected. Plugged it in, and voila! Winblows 98 found the device right away, and installed the drivers in a matter of seconds. There was a slight hitch when the attached microphone driver wasn't loading, but it was fixed via the product's installation disc.
The bundled software includes two pretty good little programs: VideoGram and VideoLink. To include Netmeeting seemed a little weird. Videolink is pretty much a clone of that, but works better. It's all standard fair.
The camera has a big red light on it to let you know that it's on, so let's get to that. Unlike some of those cameras out there, this one actually has a focus ring, and it works. I set up the preferences, in a matter of seconds. The pictures clarity startled me. I mean it's so clear that you have no idea that it's one of those low cost PC cams. The little film clips that I made were just more of the same. The audio was great too. I hit play on the included player, and it was like i was watching television. While it was recording I watched the status, and it said that there were quite a few dropped frames. I didn't even notice.
There are a few little things that I don't like. First off, it looks like a toy. A big egg with a silly silver stripe, with a red nose. Put some eyes on it, and it would look like a techno Mr. Potatohead. Second, the base (which look like silly little feet) is not attached, not weighted. So the camera just rests in it. The cord makes the camera move. Typing makes the camera move. The angle of your monitor makes the camera move. That's it though.
Overall, I say that this is a hell of a value. It works and it works well. A few shortcomings, but overall a very fine product.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
tifsim831
|
|
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.