REVIEW: U.S. Robotics Mini Cam (USR809640)

[Wizno]

The company designed the compact unit and headset (around £25) to allow Skype users to make free video calls to friends and family around the world, as well as share recorded video and snapshots. The camera is a natural extension of USRobotics’s Skype product line and continues its development of easy to use, reliable, Skype certified products. Really, the camera is a snap to install and operate, and makes cameras from the likes of Creative and Logitech seem physically cumbersome and software-heavy.

Optimised for Skype (but works with other IM programs), the USR809640 features true 1.3-Megapixel (CMOS image sensor) still capture capability (JPEG, BMP, PNG) and full motion video at up to 30fps (frames per second). The Web camera supports new codecs that enable surprisingly high-quality video from such a small device, but video aficionados will likely demand more. The camera automatically adjusts to low-light conditions, and includes software-based image tuning options such as brightness, saturation, contrast, and horizontal and vertical reversing. Face-tracking auto-focus, x3 digital zoom, and a full 70-degree viewing angle make the camera a neat solution for frequent laptop travelers, but desktop users should also be well served.

REVIEW: U.S. Robotics Mini Cam (USR809640)