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| 3COM HomeConnect PC Digital Camera |
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Hardware Reviews December 1999 • Vol.2 Issue 12 |
3COM HomeConnect PC Digital Camera | ||
 Consumer Web cams aren't generally known for the stellar image quality they produce. And while you aren't about to mistake the HomeConnect PC Digital Camera from 3COM for a still digital camera or camcorder, this Web cam does produce some of the best flowing video we've seen from a consumer-oriented Web cam. In addition to its outstanding image quality, the camera also features an attractive design and can adjust to dimly lit conditions, making it one of our overall favorite Web cams. At $130, the HomeConnect costs more than other cameras available, but few consumer Web cams can match it for quality. Installing the HomeConnect is a simple affair, thanks to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, which includes an extra long 9-foot detachable cable. The actual camera features a solid setup, which entails screwing the thin camera into a flat base. The design enables the camera to swivel in all directions and sit steadily on the monitor top. The HomeConnect includes a 6.5mm, F:2.0 lens that is set slightly back into the main body. A manual focus ring is included. In addition, 3COM designed the camera's lens to accept optional wide angle and telephoto lenses. The camera includes manual and automatic gain control, auto white balance, and manual color balance. Beyond the camera's design, our favorite feature is the HomeConnect's automatic light adjustment function. We were especially impressed with how well the camera uses the function to adjust to dim lighting, providing detailed video very quickly. When we focused the camera on an extremely bright light source, it adjusted nearly as quickly with equally good results. Under normal lighting conditions, the camera rendered sharp, focused video and still images, with the focus holding up well into the background. The camera captures both still images and video at 640 x 480 pixels. Impressively, it can also reach a top resolution of 1,280 x 960 pixels with the aid of enhancement software. At 160 x 120 pixels, the camera grabs 60fps (frames per second) of video and more than 25fps at 320 x 240 pixels. The HomeConnect's software package includes Microsoft NetMeeting, PictureWorks Netcard and Live, WebCam32, and RealNetworks G2 Player. There is also an attachment available to connect the camera to a notebook computer. The HomeConnect PC Digital Camera costs twice as much as some Web cams on the market, but we would be willing to spend the extra cash after seeing this camera perform. Its combination of a solid design, good software, USB connection, and excellent image quality make it easily one of our overall favorites. by Blaine Flamig
$130 3Com (800) 638-3266 (408) 326-5000 http://www.3com.com
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