WebCam Go Plus
Written: Jan 23 '01 (Updated Jan 31 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Portable, easy to use, voice recorder for taking short notes
Cons: can't listen to notes on the go *smiles*
The Bottom Line: I'd say Buy this unit if you wanted a cam that will double as a 30 FPS webcam, and a digital cam (as a 2nd digital cam that is)
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| jbach36's Full Review: Creative Labs Video Blaster WebCam 3 |
since we don't seem to have a section for the WebCam Go Plus, it seems I have to place this Epinion here
I just purchased one of these WebCams Go Plus cameras the other day (I collect cameras *smiles*)
and after reading the reviews I have seen on it, I was getting scared, people saying the pic quality was bad, system crashes etc...
well, I for one, have been enjoying this camera a lot! *smiles*
it's fun to go out and take a few pics, making little voice notes on them that are then attached to the pic. plus it works well as a webcam (better than some I have tried, the D-Link DSC-350 and the Kodak EZ200 for example, the Aiptek Pen Cam Trio is better in lower light sometimes, but the PenCam is usually more grainy, but I still love it too *smiles*)
since I work in a computer store, I got mine for a bit less than usuall (cost plus shipping).. and I haven't regretted it yet.. takes nice pics (still learning some of the settings) and smooth videos too (both hooked to the computer, and away from the computer too..
all I will say now is, I am done buying new webcam/digital cam combo units... I have the ones I wanted.. I have my top line cam (Fuji FinePix 1400Zoom), my Pen Cam Trio for quick shots, the Yahoo cam for general playing around and night shots) and the WebCam Go Plus for my secondary cam (takes slightly clearer pics than the Yahoo, or Pen Cam, plus they are 640x480 in size.. the others are 352x288 (CIF Mode)
I find the cam easy to hold (others have said it was awkward) and use, both for pics and digital notes..
and it's lightweight and easy to place in a jacket or pants pocket (just wish they had provided a longer carrying strap for it, when it's attached to the WebCam Go Plus then place the unit into it's supplied RhinoSkin Carry case (seems a custom fit case, with Creative logo on it) the wrist strap is too small to use really, I may detach it from the cam and reattach it to the carry case (there is a small loop on the case, I assume for a strap also..
I hear battery life is too short also, well, still using the ones shipped with it, and have filled the cam a few times (away from the computer) and will try Duracell Ultra's and Energizer e2 Titanium batteries in it also, like I use in my other cams.. wish Energizer made their Lithium batteries in AAA, I have a set of the AA's in my Fuji and they have been going a week now (my Ni-MH cells last about a day and a half) yeah, the Lithium cells cost like 2x the price of Alkaline cells, but they last 3-5 x longer, so it works out *smiles*)
anyway, I'm rambling there, back to the WebCamGo Plus *smiles*
I like how the cam's 'head' (the lens and viewfinder unit) swivels 90 degrees when you use it as a webcam.. I found out it also works like that when away from the computer (I'm sure I'll find a use for that sometime) and I like the rubber-like grips in front of the cam, that double as the feet when used as a webcam..
I read where the older WebCam Go used to have a semi-focusable Lens, whereas the newer one had a fixed focus one.. I wish they kept that feature, but that is oki, a small drawback, on an otherwise fine product...
Again I'll add that I remember reading that people had crashes and lockup probs when using the software, so far I haven't, I DL'ed the new drivers and WebCamGo Control program from creative's site, and all is good, used it so far on a machine at work running Win2000 Professional, and here at home on a machine running Win ME bot worked very well)
Well, that's all for now, I'm still playing and experimenting, so as I find out new things, I'll add to this Epinion..
Thanks for reading my ranting *smiles*
Update! 1/31/01
I have found when taking 'video footage' (mini movie) with this cam, the framerate is also depentant on the available lighting, I can make a video indoors, and get 7-9 fps at 640x480.. but when outdoors, around sunset (between 3-6 pm) I can get like 15-19 fps.. the videos come out looking smooth, almost like on film or videotape, and when I shoot at low res mode I get like 50 fps!, been making mini movies when I drive someplace, I'll place the cam on the dashboard, and hit the shutter button, works well...)
just thought I'd pass that bit of info along.. I never got that smooth a framerate out of one of these hybrid cams before... Kudos to Creative Labs
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: jbach36
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Member: John Bach
Location: Nescopeck, PA, USA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me: well, lesse, I'm a computer tech by trade, and a gadget fanatic by hobby
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