Product Requirements:
Device:
Windows 98 and higher, USB port

Instant messaging applications such as Windows Messenger, ICQ and Yahoo! Messenger are extremely popular with both teens and adults alike. The ability to type in real-time back and forth to your friends is fantastic. I know I would feel totally cut off if I didn't have Windows Messenger running on my PC at all times. Personally, I have never had a real interest in combining video and voice with plain old text message style chatting. But, when Crayton Electronics asked if I would like to review their Qcam 210 WebCam, I thought I'd give it a try.

Hardware Specifications

Camera Lens: 1/7" CMOS PC Camera
Pixel: CIF Format 352*288
Resolution: 640*482, 352*288, 320*240, 176*144, 160*120
Frame per second: Up to 30fps@352*288, 35fps@176*144
Capture Resolution: Up to 640*480
Focus Distance: 5cm~infinity (CIF)
Lens: wide angle 56 degree Diagonal
Brightness: Auto-Detect
Exposure control: Auto-Detect
Image format: RGB24
Power consumption Full Run: 130mw typical
I/O interface: USB 1.1, Full Speed

The Qcam is a very small WebCam that is suited more for laptops than a desktop PC because of its short flexible cable which can be bent into the desired angle for the camera to point. This cable is 12 inches long with a USB connector on the opposite end of the camera.

Installing the camera couldn't be easier. It's just a matter of plugging it in and then popping in the mini CD when Windows asks you for the driver disc. Your PC doesn't have to be restarted and the camera is available to you right away.

Since this is a pretty inexpensive web cam, you don't get much in the way of extra software included with it. Actually the only thing you do get is a generic capture application that you can use to snap still images and capture video streams. Also included are instructions for using the Qcam with NetMeeting. Unfortunately, the instructions seem to assume that you already have NetMeeting installed... As far as I can tell, NetMeeting does not come as part of the default Win XP Pro installation. At least it isn't installed on my machine.

I first used the generic capture application just to get an idea of the quality of the video. Right off the bat, I was pretty disappointed. The captured image was dark and very grainy.

This same application allows you to capture a video stream in AVI format. Even at 30 frames per second, captured video is blurred during movement.

I also captured a few still shots just to get an idea of how well the Qcam handles color and focus.

The picture on the left was snapped in a medium bright room with a 2 bulb overhead light turned on. The same image was taken while I shined a mini flashlight on the card. As you can see, the more light, the brighter the colors and the less grainy the image.

The still images are actually saved in a strange file format (.DIB). But I found that if I renamed them to .BMP, that I was able to then convert them into JPGs without any problems.

Most people won't be purchasing this WebCam to take still images though, they will be wanting to use it with their favorite instant messaging application. I first tried to test the cam while chatting with Judie via Windows Messenger. Unfortunately, she never saw my video feed. So, I gave up on that IM app and tried the Qcam with Yahoo's IM application. Getting the cam to work with Yahoo! was a snap. I started up the app, initiated a chat with my friend, and started the video feed. He did the same and voila, we were talking and seeing!

The picture on the left is the video preview of my side of the conversation. The picture on the right is my friend Dave as we were chatting back and forth. You can really tell a big difference in image quality between the two images. His is less pixilated and has much better color definition. His WebCam is an ADS 1394 WebCam (Firewire) priced at around $74. Even though his cam is Firewire, his image blurred just like mine as he moved around in front of the cam.

The Qcam is an inexpensive WebCam that can pretty much fit in any laptop bag. Although it doesn't give you the sharpest, or brightest image, there is something to be said for portability and price. I wouldn't buy this to use with a desktop... I'd rather spend a few extra bucks for something that gives a better image. That said, if you are looking for a cam for your laptop and don't mind fuzzies, you might consider adding the Qcam to your shopping list.

Price: $29.99

Pros:
Small
Easy to install
Flexible cable

Cons:
Grainy, dark image