Expensive. Worth what you pay ?
Written: Jul 03 '01 (Updated Jul 05 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Works well in low-light conditions.
Cons: Unrealistic skin tones.
The Bottom Line: If you work in low lighting situation, this is the camera for you. If you like true, rich colors, look elsewhere, like perhaps, Intel's Webcam Pro.
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| rashmi338's Full Review: 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital Camera |
Recently I bought Intel's Webcam pro. Was happy with it but seeing all those reviews about 3com's HomeConnect, I had to go and buy one and check it out for myself.
So, here's the scoop..
Installed both the cameras and tested them side by side at the same time on the same computer, monitor, and in same resolutions.
Installation - both were quick and easy.
Difference..
Intel's interface is friendly and pleasant. Especially, beginners to the webcam world would learn quickly and enjoy it.
3Com is very cryptic and to the point. If you are a first timer to webcam, it would take a bit of puttering around to figure it out. What I liked best though was how quickly the 3Com Launcer loaded. Real fast. No fancy, schmansy opening screen, etc. You want the application loaded and you got the application loaded, quicker than you could say, Cheese!
Looking back..once you learn to use the application, the ease of use, how fast it loads (mainly because you don't always use webcam like you use a wordprocessor), become less significant. What would really matter is the Picture quality.
So, here's the results of the test..
The picture quality of the Intel Webcam pro is very realistic. Skin tones are very natural. No adjustment needed to be made to the settings. Defaults worked very well. In low light,like any normal camera, the picture was dark. When I added a 60W table lamp on one side, picture was well illuminated but threw a shadow on the opposite side. What you really need for a good portrait is well balanced light in the front from both the sides. Again,it's like any camera lighting with any good camera. I love photography and I am very picky about lighting. Overall, with good lilghting this camera took very good video, snapshots, etc.
3com HomeConnect performed extremely well in low lighting situations. Where the Intel Webcam couldn't see the picture, the 3Com would bring out a clear video. When I saw side by side the pictures on the monitor, it was hard to believe that both the cameras were seeing the same pictue. Very clear picture, indeed. But the skin tones were wierd. The default settings brought about a heavy pinkish color. I played around for a long time with the color adjustment panels, white balances, etc. but skintones never came to look natural. While colors with Intel were rich and well saturated, with 3Com they were either pinkish or just dull.
I had my family members pickout the best pictures without seeing which picture was from which camera. Every single time, the preferred choice was Intel's.
I don't mind adding a couple of gooseneck desklamps on either side of by monitor. I turn them on when I need to do the video conferencing. I know, I don't have to go through all that trouble with the 3Com HomeConnect. But the final product of 3Com is inferior. To me, that matters and weighs significantly in my choice of cameras.
Sofwarewise, Intel gives a variety of useful software. Again, 3Com is very limited in this area.
As regards the frame rate, 3Com does a better job with 60 fps as opposed to 30 fps of Intel's. 30 fps is the industry standard. You do not see the difference when you are doing internet phone and video conferencing. Perhaps, you would see this when you make short videos. I tried both cameras didn't see much difference.
Some of the quirks with Intel which I saw also occasionally with 3Com.. When you do a video..picture moves slowly and the audio does not synchronize with the video.
Both cameras are well built, small, and sit well on the monitor. I like the feature of Lens door on the Intel.
Pricewise, Intel is cheaper. I paid about $100. But there is a mail in rebate of $30. So, the final price is about $70.00. For 3Com I paid $127 including shipping. NO rebates here.
Concluding, both cameras have their strengths and weaknesses. They come very close in overall scores. But in the final round, Intel wins with high scores in picture quality, software selection, physical feature, and friendly interface. But if you are going to be working in a rather limited light conditions, you will be pleased with the performance of the 3Com.
Final, final, conlclusion:
For Windows, I cannot honestly recommend this system when there is an alternative like, the Intel's Webcam Pro.
Hope this review has been useful. Good luck with your WebCam selection.
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rashmi338
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Reviews written: 37
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