Toy Webcam

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• Expert Rating

  2.50 / 5

• User Rating

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• Price

  $ 24.00 (AUD)

Ross Catanzariti Good Gear Guide 05/12/05 Follow @pcworldau

Pros

• It’s a dog, focus ring implemented on front of camera, Quick and easy setup

Cons

• Average quality, Limited software

Bottom Line

It’s a webcam inside a dog! Don’t expect high quality, but it does its job with a minimum of fuss.

Would you buy it?

• Yes 0
• No 1

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Basically a small CMOS webcam built inside a toy dog, the Toy Webcam plugs into your PC via its USB cable, which protrudes from its rear. Installation is a hassle-free process - install the provided software and drivers, plug in the webcam and you're away. The Toy Webcam definitely scores points for its ease of use.

The installation CD contains a piece of software called Amcap, which is used to run the webcam. Simply click 'Options>Preview' and a window will display the current image. Focus is adjusted using the focus control, mounted in the nose of the dog. We experienced some difficulty in obtaining a respectable image, so it is well advised to ensure you do take time to experiment with the focus control.

The software is very simple to use; 'Capture>Snap One Image' takes a still photograph, while 'Capture>Start Camera' records video. Our main complaint with the software is the lack of easy access to these controls as they are all part of the toolbar. We would have appreciated a large record button implemented into the interface, which makes it quicker to start recording or take a quick snapshot.

The video quality isn't anything to write home about, but the Toy Webcam does its job with a minimum of fuss and considering the price, it's hard not to like it. It won't win any awards, but it will provide a fun and pleasurable product for children and adults alike. It is also available in four other dog designs.