|
|
|
|
QuickCam for Laptops
August 14, 2002 A new video camera designed especially for notebook computers (but suitable for use on any computer with a USB port) provides a continuous video picture for viewing on screen. The camera lets you capture either a snapshot or video clip and then produces a picture or video that’s ready to edit, enhance, save or send via the Internet. This versatile camera has many uses for both home and business. QuickCam for Laptops (Logitech, $59.99) is the cool video camera we looked at recently. This small, egg-shaped camera is designed to sit atop the screen of a laptop, but it would be equally at home positioned on any desk or monitor. The camera provides 30 fps (frames per second) video for natural, life-like action, although the low resolution of 320 x 240 pixels makes it best suited for Internet use. An interpolated 640 x 480 pixel resolution is available for small prints. This camera meets the standards for videoconferencing, so it is suitable for personal or business videoconferencing applications using the included Microsoft NetMeeting software. Use it to see and talk to friends and associates around the world, to add video to instant messaging, to use as a Web Cam for fun or business and more. QuickCam for Laptops has a manual focus lens in front and the USB cable in the rear. No other buttons or controls--it’s that easy. The camera is powered from the USB, with no AC adapter needed, so it’s truly portable. The unit can also rotate 360 degrees and tilt up and down. The spider-like legs hook on the top of a laptop screen or flip out of the way when the camera is not in use, providing a protective cover for the lens and making a pocket-sized package that’s easy to carry. QuickCam software, which contains five modules, is included. "Create Pictures and Video" is the snapshot and video capture module that displays live video from the camera. Once you’ve captured a snapshot (in jpg format) or a video clip (in avi format), it’s automatically added to the currently open "Art Gallery" and also displayed for you. You can edit (crop, rotate or brightness/contrast adjustment), add text captions and then e-mail, print or use the image as wallpaper for your computer. Included options let you control the camera’s resolution, brightness, color and contrast, or you can use the "Auto" settings. Snapshots can be saved in a variety of formats, including jpg, tif or bmp. The "Web Album" module helps you create Web pages that include your images, allows you arrange the order of images and add text notations. These pages are saved in a format suitable to add directly to your Web site, making it easy to create personal image pages or to quickly and easily display your business products on the Web. "Create a Web Cam" module sets up your camera for a live display that can be added to your Web pages. Though not a continuous live stream, you select how often you’d like the image updated (seconds to minutes) and whether you want it automatically activated each time you boot your computer. Use it just for fun, to keep track of your house, use as a baby watcher and the like. The "Broadcast Live" module is similar but is continuous and carries both video and audio. With this feature you can broadcast (actually Webcast) a live show on the Internet for fun, information or business. The feature also lets you share parties and other special events with others across the Internet. "Art Gallery" module provides a thumbnail display of your snapshots and videos and lets you create additional galleries for organizing your images. You can also import images from other sources to add to those taken with the QuickCam and use these in the program modules. The module also includes a slide show feature. The camera software includes a TWAIN driver, allowing you to capture images from the QuickCam directly into a variety of other application software. For example, you’re using Word or WordPerfect to write a proposal for super sexy staplers and need a quick picture of the item to show the customer. Just click on insert/picture/acquire, and the camera turns on; point it at the stapler, click "Take Picture," and the picture appears in your document at the cursor position--that easy. Included with the software package are programs that will link to sites such as SpotLife for WebCams or Yahoo Messenger for Instant Messaging. These sites will support and host your Web camera efforts for as little as $3 per month. And just for fun, several games are included in the software. Your live video image can interact with actions on the screen: pop a bubble, shoot a basketball or play volleyball. There are a host of fun and serious uses, especially on the Web, for one of these video cameras. And the reasonable price makes it very attractive. |
