The Auto-light Sensor USB Web cam looks futuristic enough to make you want to add one to your birthday wishes list. It features an integrated microphone and does not require any complicated software installation, as it is said to be a totally driver-less device.
In addition, it features a 360-degree viewing angle, allowing everybody in the room to fit in the picture, and it can easily deal with dim light conditions.
The webcam measures 75 x 72 x 50 mm and weighs only about 170 grams. Such convenient sizes will only add points to its portability score, not to mention the fact that it requires very little storage space around the room. Among the technical specifications we can list a decent resolution, of 1280 x 960 pixels, provided with the help of the 300k pixels CMOS image sensor.
The video format is 24 bit RGB, while the frame rate is the same 30 fps, as with most standard devices. The web cam's focus range is of 5cm to infinity, it has a built-in image compression system, just as all the highly rated cams on the market, as well as some usual options like automatic white balance, manual focus, auto exposure control, auto flash control of the images and more.
The web cam is compatible exclusively with Windows XP/ME/2000/98SE, so it probably won't work with Macs. Too bad it doesn't feature any of those cool visual effects web cam makers are adding these days.
Furthermore, the price tag is also motivating, since some might consider the 24 bucks price tag a reasonable one.
Brando Auto-Light Sensor USB Webcam
USB Mino Cam Webcam
Webcams have become some sort of “must have” accessory for most young people nowadays, as they tend to spend as much time (if not even more) in online communities as they do in real-life ones. That's the main reason why the number of manufacturers and models of such devices is absolutely huge, each device having certain features and accessories that will differentiate them from the competition.
In the case of the particular product you're about to see as follows, namely the USB Mino Cam presented by USB Geek, the elements that push it forward are its very interesting and versatile clip-on system, which allow the users to mount it either on a TFT display or on laptop/notebook screen at just about any angle, as well as the very interesting snapshot button for instant photos, which looks a lot like the trigger button on a joystick.
However, the device also sports several other “classical” features as well, as for example the possibility of recording video clips (25 – 30 FPS) with the help of the 1.3-megapixel sensor. The camera lens ( 4.5mm/f2.4, fixed 70cm) also plays a very important part.
Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that the webcam has some pretty decent dimensions (90 x 15 x 12mm) and a weight of just around 32 grams, which means that it will occupy very little space around the user's desk.
As you might have guessed already, despite being a rather interesting product, this webcam is by no means a very expensive one, as it's available at several retailers for just around 20 US dollars, which is not bad at all, given the functions and specs this thing can provide.
Creative Live! Motion Web Camera
The Creative WebCam Live! Motion created quite a stir in the industry, as it has been the first webcam ever designed with real capabilities to follow all your moves. Furthermore, the device also included a system called MaxView, which allowed wider capture angles than even before.
By using the MaxView technology, this wide-angle webcam is capable of wide 200-degree horizontal and 150-degree vertical view, enough to catch all your steps and assure that everybody in the room has the opportunity to get involved in the conversation. Furthermore, the lenses can be adjusted either automatically or manually, and the WebCam Live! Motion can even perform vertical and horizontal rotations.
From now on, it is going to be much easier to have everybody in the meeting in the same large picture. This device can follow multiple subjects around. It performs all its tracking abilities in silence, without disturbing any of your online activities. The camera can also zoom in or sweep out for a wider shot.
Additionally, the images are quite sharp and crisp, due to the embedded CCD sensor, and all the live chats you're going to perform are guaranteed to have quite a high level of quality, due to the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed certification. The videos can be captured at 30 frames per seconds, even at VGA resolution.
Thanks to the patented panoramic one-click photo snap function you can take instant panoramic shots, and with the Creative WebCam Center software, it's even easier to customize your desktop.
The cam can be easily attached to any flat surface, from notebook computers and LCD displays to desktop monitors. It is also quite easy to turn your PC into a video phone and make multi-party video calls with all your friends by using the included SightSpeed &Orb software. This application even allows you to stream photos and videos to any web enabled device like laptops, PDAs and mobile phones.
The Creative webcam comes with a lightweight, ergonomic external headset that can be connected to the web cam and used during the longer conversations, to get even better voice and audio clarity than the one provided by other webcams with built-in microphones.
Due to the fact that it includes advanced tracking technologies, the Creative WebCam Live! Motion web camera is a little bit more expensive than other devices of this type, selling for around 130 US dollars at various retailers.
Creative Live!Ultra Webcam for Notebooks
The ability to place video calls from just about anywhere has become extremely important nowadays. And even if most people use 3G-enabled portable devices for this purpose (smartphones with built-in cameras), there are also other people who turn to a notebook plus hotspot plus webcam combo for the same purpose.
Designed to improve your social life, the Live!Ultra Webcam for Notebooks, launched by Creative back in the second half of 2005, surprises you with high standards features and attractive looks. This device is able to capture high resolution videos and images even in the lowest lighting conditions. The video quality is sharper that the one provided by the CMOS sensor cameras due to the embedded 640x480 CCD sensor, which can even shoot still photos at 1.3 Megapixels.
Forget about repositioning your camera any time you want to move around the PC. The Smart Face Tracking system can detect any movement and even recognize your skin tone or your friends' faces. Moreover, everybody who wants to enjoy some privacy can always rely on the included headset. Since it has a built-in microphone, the system deliver much clearer sounds.
The webcam has a compact size that allows you to take the device almost everywhere and is accompanied by the PowerGrip system, for easier placement on a laptop or LCD display. Moreover, the device uses a special software application that gives users the ability to carry out remote digital monitoring operations and also to mark the time in the videos.
The Live!Ultra for Notebooks works with Yahoo!Messenger, MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Messenger and many instant messaging services on the market. It sells for anywhere around 60 US dollars, which is not exactly a very affordable price point, especially if we take into account the fact that most of today's portable systems come packed with their own web camera modules right out of the factory.
Trust Live WB-5400 USB Webcam
Few web cams are meant to look pretty and Trust is definitely not among the leaders on the webcam's market, at least as far as the design of their products is concerned. The WB-5400 webcam features an ordinary look and the basic features you can possibly find on such a PC peripheral.
The webcam delivers an 1280 x 1024 hardware resolution and can take snapshots at 5.2 megapixels. As most cams, this one sports common specs like automatic focus option, automatic face tracking technology and 4X digital zooming. In addition, it can offer real “face to face” chat experience, with the built-in microphone. No need to buy another one.
It doesn't require any drivers, since it works smoothly after plugging. The package includes the software it needs to deliver high quality video effects, picture frames, video recordings and more. But the webcam can successfully be used in security surveillance, in order to monitor your children's indoors activity and more. The devices is guaranteed to work with Windows Vista, XP or XP MCE operating systems, and is also compatible with numerous communication programs, such as Live Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype and other messenger services.
Moreover, the cam can be attached to any type of notebook or laptop, effortlessly. The WB-5400 can turn into the perfect companion for chatting or video-conferencing. With a frequency of 30 frames per second, the devices gives flowing pictures to your instant messengers. Its focus is manually adjustable, in case you're interested.
The Trust WB-5400 webcam retails online for around 27 – 48 US dollars, which is not that bad a price, but it's not a fantastic one, either, given the fact that this device provides fewer attractive features than some other of its counterparts available on the market.
Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX Web Camera
Since Internet communications have virtually skyrocketed over the past few years, the computer peripherals that improve the quality of these communications have also become a lot more popular, with webcams leading the way as far as popularity goes. And this is exactly the type of product we'll talk about as follows, namely the QuickCam Communicate STX presented by the people from Logitech.
The QuickCam Communicate STX has been equipped with a 1.3-megapixel sensor, provides clear video at 640 x 480 quality, and since it incorporates the popular RightLight technology, it can offer high quality images even in low light conditions. The camera works with Skype!, Windows Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AIM and Logitech VideoCall. An integrated microphone with RightSound technology assures that your voice is transmitted in echo free conditions.
The camera has an incorporated snapshot button that allows users to employ the webcam as a digital camera and take digital photos in a quick and easy manner.
The device also features an activity light that lets you know when you're “live”, as well as a privacy shade, which can be used for launching, muting and closing video sessions with confidence. Moreover, the webcam sports an universal monitor clip which helps it mount extremely easy on just about any type of display or notebook computer.
The Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX web camera can be purchased for around 40 US dollars, which is a rather fair price point, given the level of performance and the features this device can provide.
Brando USB Lion WebCam
There are quite a lot of people around who love devices which sport a very cute and funny design, and youngsters are the biggest group to be included in such a category. And since where's demand, there must be a source of supply, the Brando company offers, via its webstore, usb.brando.com.hk, a very attractive web-cam, shaped like a...lion.
Well, not really, but kind of. Besides looking so cold inside its steel casing, the web cam comes packed with a microphone, to allow the user enjoy the most when chatting with the loved ones. The best part is the camera is so versatile it would fit any type of bag. As for its capabilities, the web cam features a lens rotation system for adjusting the image quality. Not to mention the precise still image capture it can perform.
Since most users employ webcams at night, the manufacturers have packed the device with a LED light adjusting switch, which makes the face noticeable in dim light conditions. The size matters when buying such a device, mostly because it proves to be quite useful when traveling. The USB Lion web cam is great in size also, measuring only 47 x 25 x 15mm and weighing only 73 grams.
Other important technical details in the specification list are the CMOS sensor, the 1280 x 960 VGA resolution and the frame rate, of up to 30fps at 320 x 240, up to 15fps at 640 x 480, with a focus range of 20 mm to infinity adjustable and a signal to noise ratio of >55 dB.
There is also a manual focus, an auto white balance and an auto electronic exposure option. As for the pricing and availability details, the device can be purchased for a price tag around 27 bucks a pop, from Brando webstore, where else.