No More Commuting Naked!!
Written: Sep 30 '00 (Updated Oct 01 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: affordable, fun, easy to use
Cons: need good light - ruined the best parts of telecommuting
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| ned1's Full Review: Ezonics EZ-302 Web Cam |
Drat this little product!! Thanks to it the best part of telecommuting has been taken away from me - being anonymous and unseen. Sure it's not like I laid around naked while participating on conference calls about response rates, imputations and sampling frames but many times I sure came close - now thanks to ez cam I have to a certain level of dress, appearance and composure during my telecommuting day.
Originally my husband and I got ez cam for two reasons - one we thought it would be fun and two after the rebate it was cheap! He travels three weeks a month and always has his laptop in tow. Our four kids miss their dad and while talking on the phone is fun, being able to see the person is even better.
It's perfect for our three year old - the extent of her phone conversations were, "I got a new dress isn't it pretty?" "Do you want to see my purse?" (holding it up to the phone receiver) and "Don't you like how mommy did my hair?" (again holding the phone next to her hair). Now daddy can actually see what she is talking about - along with all those A+s on homework, loose teeth and art projects that have been brought home. Daddy is no longer met at the front door with stacks of things he needs to see - he can see them on a daily basis even when he's not at home.
Before I continue I will quickly add that we were pleasantly surprised with how good ez cam is. We weren't expecting much based on the price, about 30 dollars each after rebate. I'm sure top of the line models have better pictures, more features, etc - but for that price and what we use this for - why pay that much when these meet all our needs - with a few minor problems.
So just how easy is the EZ cam to use? It's easy to install as long as you read the instructions and don't just start (my hubby is Mr. computer so I let him do the honors and after one failed attempt where he didn't install the driver first it was smooth sailing.
It comes with the software and camera and once the driver is installed you install the programs which allow you to take still pictures, make movies, cards, alter pictures, load them into your digital camera and oh that nasty thing - tele conference all you do is plug the camera into the usb slot and begin.
The software allows you to change screen size, contrast, brightness, color, etc. The camera has a manual focus so you can adjust it to meet your needs. You can angle it to catch your best side and has a very study base - hard for the kids to knock down when they get excited. You can conference over the phone or web.
About the only con we have noticed - besides the installation problem is that you need to have good light to get a good picture. If you don't, it will be grainy, but again for our personnel use who cares. This often happens as you can't control the amount of light in hotel rooms.
The other con for me is that when my office found out I have one at home they got one to use so they could see me when we have group calls. No more making faces at stupid comments or repeated questions, no more sitting around in my bra talking on the phone, no more putting down the phone and walking away when someone rattles on. Drat technology - the best part of telecommuting has been ruined - add to that I have to actually comb my hair and look presentable on a daily basis - I may as well go into the office.
I think for the price and the way we use them these are good little cams -yeah there are better more expensive ones out there - but for now these work just fine.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ned1
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Member: Nancy
Location: in the Barbie aisle
Reviews written: 894
Trusted by: 346 members
About Me:
Off to Basel (1/21) - in search of Swiss Miss Barbie - back (1/26)
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