Creative WebCam GO
- — 10 February, 2000 10:57
This portability is a fairly nice feature, considering the WebCam Go's $299 estimated retail price is not far off the cost of competing cameras that lack this ability.
It's a funny looking creature. As a desk-bound Web camera, the top of the device (incorporating a viewfinder, lens and snapshot button) is flipped back, allowing it to sit neatly on a monitor or flat surface (rubber grips help it stay in place). The camera is capable of recording up to 30fps at a resolution of 352 x 288, or 15fps at 640 x 480VGA.
As a cordless camera, the WebCam Go is used in its extended form, with three buttons (on, off and mode) and a small LCD screen operating as an image counter, featured on the back. A focus ring surrounding the lens lets the user manually adjust sharpness. The camera includes 4MB of memory, allowing storage of up to 90 images at 640 x 480, or 200 images at 320 x 240 resolution.
Software bundled with the camera includes Creative WebCam Go Control, a neatly designed application that allows you to easily record video clips (automatically saved as AVIs), and take still shots, which are both stored automatically in easy to use albums.
Creative's MediaRing Talk 99, also bundled, allows users to conference via the Internet or call telephones directly (the camera comes with a microphone). Using Creative WebCam Monitor, the WebCam Go can be set up as a surveillance camera, or a Web camera, automatically uploading images periodically to the Web.
At $299 the WebCam Go offers a great bundle of features, complementary software and ease of use.
Creative WebCam Go
Price: $299
Distributor: Creative Labs Australia
Phone: (02) 9666 6100
URL: www.creative.com
