Sometimes in life you just realize (a little late than others) that there are truly simple things out there in the world that will make life so much easier. Well, I guess for me I can say better late than never!
Recently my oldest daughter talked me into getting a web cam for the computer so that I can talk with her and my grandbabies live! Well, I thought, what a novel idea! So, I did some checking around and decided to spend the 25 dollars and get one. This is the most amazing thing in the world! And I am so glad that I bought one. I also use it to talk live with my other daughter at the University of Florida. Really neat contraption if I say so myself.
The Product
I went to http://www.dell.com where I have an account to see what they offered in a Web Cam. Of course they had several to choose from as did our local Wal Mart. For me though it was easier to order from Dell. Besides, I got free s/h at the time.
I decided on the Veo? Connect Web Camera. Because it is simple enough to install and even more simple to use; all I had to do was download the software and then plug the unit into the back of my computer. That?s it! I use Yahoo Messenger? and have no problems with picture quality at all. It is very cool seeing oneself on the computer but it is more cool seeing my grandchildren. The first time Alex saw me he said ?There is my Grammy in the computer mommy!? That right there made this purchase worth it. (I must say here that there are several messenger services to choose from. Yahoo? is free, as most probably are.)
This Web Cam offers a quick touch snapshot button, that allows me to take a still shot. This is a cool feature because if the picture turns out well I can email them to family as well as save to the computer and print them off.
There is a blue on/off LED light found at the top, back of the unit. You know it is in use because it will glow blue. There is also a non- slip base and an extended grip focus ring. This allows the image to be focused in accordingly.
The software that came with my unit is by Eyeball Chat?. I can have live video calls, email digital photos and so much more. However, your family will also have to be on Eyeball Chat? to use it. But, you can connect your AOL®, MSN® or Yahoo? messengers through Eyeball Chat?. The software is very easy to install and to use.
What you Get
In the box you will receive 1 Connect Web Cam, Quick start guide, Veo? Connect CD-Rom, which includes Connect Camera Drivers, Microsoft NetMeeting®, Eyeball Chat? v2.2 and Veo? Creative Studio: Connect. You also will get Camera Utilities, E-Card Creator, Homepage Designer, Movie Maker and Game Generator. Really neat stuff! You will need to read how each of these work to get the best from them.
Requirements
Microsoft® Windows® 98/Me/2000/XP
300 MHz Intel® or AMD® K-6 Processor or better
200 MB hard disk space
32 MB Ram or better
Available USB Port
800 x 600 display monitor with 16-bit color
4x CD-Rom or better
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or comparable
An Internet Service Provider for Web Communications
Specifications
CIF Resolution (352 x 288) CMOS Sensor
Easy-Touch Snapshot
Adjustable Focus Ring
Support Resolutions: Still image 320 x 240, 176 x 144 and 160 x 120
Video: 320 x 240, 176 x 144 and 160 x 120
Up to 30 Frames per second
24-Bit True Color
f/2,8 Multi-Element Lens
Auto Exposure, White Balance and Color Control
360 (degree) Swivel Base with +/- 20 (degree) Tilt
Standard ¼ Tripod Mount
Store Digital Videos in AVI and WMU File Formats
And a 6ft USB 1/1 Cable/Power Supply
This is more than enough cord. I was able to drop my cord down behind my desk and hook it up with no problems. I think this length of cord will also work well for those who need to run it along the wall to a plug, etc.
Come with a one-year warranty and support. The warranty is limited hardware and free technical support though.
You can go to https://veo.com for more information.
How I Feel
With my Comcast Cable email account I can send free video email, which is great! I think that Comcast and my daughter have created a new monster! I love communicating this way so much because I don?t have to type much at all. This web cam is just so much easier for me and the joy it brings me is indescribable.
I can also create greeting cards that will allow me to use the pictures that I have taken with the snapshot feature. This is really good! I sent my mother a birthday card with us in it! She got a big kick out of it! I can also make the pictures in the cards live. My son liked this because he could act all goofy for his sisters. He is 10 and with him one never knows what he will do. The faces he makes for them are just hilarious!
My son got is hair cut really, really, really short and wanted to send a video email to his father and sisters so they could see it. I had no problems using the web cam for this at all. In fact, we went live through Yahoo? Messenger as well as sent the email through Comcast.
I can also make home movies using the drag and drop feature in just a couple of minutes. I strongly suggest reading the guide for this. I can add animations to the movie and titles. I can import files or record audio clips and has fun doing so. I can also play games with my pictures in a jigsaw puzzle format. This is cool as well. Taylor and I had lots of fun with this one! We would take our faces and mix and match them like Mr. Potato Head?.
I really like the auto color adjustments this web cam offers. I simple set it for auto and let the unit do it?s thing! I can also adjust manually as needed, if needed.
The menu for the unit is very easy to use and get around. It really is self-explanatory.
You certainly need to read the guidebook that comes with this though. It is really helpful.
If you don?t have a web cam I strongly suggest getting one as soon as you can. They run in price around 20 to 30 dollars depending on where you buy one at and what kind you get. Christmas is just around the corner you know and this will make a great gift. It is not expensive at all and just think; you can see your babies no matter where they live.
I hope that this has helped in some kind of way.
God Bless!
©LKD 2004
Price is US Dollars
