Feb 05, 2002 06:48 PM
6846 Views
(Updated Jun 26, 2005 11:23 AM)
Intel Pocket PC Camera is one of the best web cameras I have used. Let me share some information of this Pocket PC Camera. It is a PC camera but also can be used as pocket camera for outdoor photography e.g. photographs for the requirement of visual management of an industry, birthday party etc.
Technical Specification–
Camera - 8MB of flash memory, LCD panel to select mode, 3-meter USB cable for easy installation, Tilt-swivel base, Tripod socket, CCD sensor for enhanced image quality and low-light performance, Multi-element lens for improved clarity and minimal distortion, VGA resolution (640x480) sensor, 50-degree field of view, Focus distance 10cm to infinity, Frame rate up to 30 fps for full-motion video, Automatic exposure, white balance and color control, Convenient snapshot button, 4 AAA batteries included
Video - Record up to VGA 640x480 using PC supplied software, Indeo 5.0, i.263 and .asf video compression, Save as .avi
Picture - Capture up to VGA (640x480) or CIF (352x288), 24-bit (16.8 million colors), Save as .jpg, .bmp or .fpx
Minimum System Requirements as recommended by Intel:
Windows* 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium Edition and with the help of Upgrade CD Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition is compatible.
PC with 266MHz Intel / Pentium processor with MMX™ technology or 300MHz Intel / Celeron processor or better. Universal Serial Bus (USB) port is required. 32MB RAM (128MB recommended for Windows XP and Windows 2000), 800x600 display, 16-bit color, 350MB available hard disk space, 4x CD-ROM drive, Windows compatible sound system with speakers and microphone
The overall performance of the PC Cameras is better with greater processing power. Higher-quality video and audio are available with a high-performance CPU such as with Pentium III or IV processor. After up-gradation of our home PC, performance is much faster. According to me Pentium III & 128 MB RAM is better.
Intel supply required software with the camera. Features like video phone, photo gallery, snapshot, audio recording, auto snapshot, Email postcard, picture manager etc are included.
What is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port - A USB port is an interface standard for connecting peripherals to PC. One can check PC's user manual or ask vendor to see if computer has one. One can get it fitted, if required and does take few minutes. Software is available in CD of camara.
Like other web cameras, this also let you make Internet video phone calls, send email postcards, broadcast live video, and audio to your distant family and friends.
It has some added features like
Like any other normal small cameras one can use it for outdoor photography, away from the PC without any cable connection. Afterwards photographs may be downloaded to PC and deleted from the memory of camera
Editing of a photo is possible with the help of software provided by Intel or Microsoft Photo Editor
Very small so it is easy to carry even in our pocket
Video photography is possible but has limitation
One may take out prints of these photos (JPEG Image)
Size of the photo is quite small, not more than 60 KB (JPEG Image)
It has some limitations and some of these are as follows –
Because of low resolution, it is not very good for outdoor photography especially for landscape.
Require high intensity light. According to me, tube light gives better result for indoor use.
Requires four AAA batteries. Power supply of desktop or laptop does not support it. Adaptor also cannot be used.
Intel has introduced a model with higher solution and inbuilt flash light. I have not yet seen that model but seems to be more user friendly. Intel has total five models in this web camera category. You may have one of the Intel Cameras but I like Pocket PC Camera because of its versatile use. It is better to go for the latest version, ''Intel Pocket Digital PC Camera'' with flashlight and higher resolution.
You may also go through the reviews of Niraj Singh4, Suyog, Henegan, all MS members, on “buying a digital camera”.
Friends in USA or Canada (may be Europe) may buy it from https://shop-intel.com. Price is only $69.99. Discount is till 31st May 2002. Cost of new model is $149.99 (no discount)
Intel in India has not yet started this facility so we have to depend on the vendor. On-line buying from https://shop-intel.com may turnout to be very expensive.
Above photograph is of a different model. I have posted this review here just to inform readers about a more versatile model from Intel.
