USB Digital Videocams

Big Bandwidth opens up possibilities beyond Video Conferencing

3Com HomeConnect PC Digital Camera
Formerly marketed as the Vista Vicam PC digital camera, this unit is well supported by the widest range of operating systems of any of the USB digital videocams reviewed here. It's also a great-looking cam, in a svelte black rectangular case with detachable cabling (nice!) and a swivel-mount base. The camera includes drivers for Windows 95/98 and Windows 2000 in the box (which contains a disclaimer about possible issues with Windows 2000 due to its beta state), and the 3Com web site supplies beta drivers for USB-equipped Macs, as well. The camera provides a maximum resolution of 640x480. It performs very well in low light situations and, in fact, the product marketing materials and most reviews focus on this issue as the key differentiator for this camera.  Also noteworthy is the camera's 5-year warranty. The main drawback to the 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital Camera is its relatively high price -- at a street price of C$229.99, it is 30 percent more expensive than Intel's premium offering, and the Intel PC Camera Pro Pack offers a video in port missing from the 3Com cam. Still, it's a great choice, particularly in low-light situations.

Standards supported: H.323 and H.324 (software supports H.323 applications; H.324 software available separately)

3Com also markets the US Robotics Bigpicture Video cam, which we review separately.

For further reading:

• Home page: http://www.3com.com/client/pcd/homeconnect/pcdigital/
• PC Week: 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital Camera review

Intel PC Camera Pro Pack
Intel currently offers several digital videocams, including the PC Camera Pro Pack, PC Camera Pack and the older Create & Share Camera Pack (and several other digital video and videoconferencing products), but we think the premium PC Camera Pro Pack model is the one best suited for serious digital video "camming." Its most notable feature is its video input jack, allowing the camera to do double-duty as a video capture port for other NTSC video sources, such as standard video cameras, VCRs, or computers with TV-out jacks. The key drawback to the cam is its lack of support for operating systems other than Windows 95 OSR2/98. Windows 2000 and Mac aren't supported. Still, its video-in jack is an attractive feature that enhances this camera's functionality.

For further reading:

• Home page: http://www.intel.com/pccamera/index.htm

Other cameras worth comparing
We chose the 3Com and Intel cameras as the best of a large group of other low-cost digital videocams, some of which are based on USB, and some of which use parallel, serial or other connections. The QuickCam series of products, originally from Connectix but now sold by Logitech, are worth a look, particularly the QuickCam Pro model, shown here. It's definitely one of the coolest looking cameras on the market, in a futuristic space-pod sort of way. Its support of optional lenses is an attractive feature, as is the cool clamp-on base. The Logitech Quickcam Express USB comes with native drivers for win2000 in the box, although, as noted at www.ntcompatible.cjb.net, they're not as good as the drivers for win9x.

Although Logitech's web site says the company intends to release a version of QuickCam Software compatible with Windows Me at the time Windows Me is released (a deadline which, at this writing, the company has missed), or shortly thereafter. Until then, it cautions, installing QuickCam Software 5.3.0 and earlier into Windows Me is not recommended. However, reports one of our readers, version 5.3 of the Logitech software works well. It, once installed, automatically allows removal of the old software; WIN ME subsequently identifies the camera.

At least the QuickCam Express, Home, Web and Pro models will be officially supported sooner or later. Users of older Connectix/Logitech cameras are basically screwed: older units will not be supported under Windows Me, period.

The company also offers the QuickCam VC -- not USB based, but one of the only digicams in its class offering Windows NT support. Details at http://www.logitech.com/ca/support/videolist.html.

There's also Windows 2000 support for the Alaris Quick Video USB Cam by installing the Windows NT drivers. We've read reports that the Philips Vesta USB cam has problems under Windows Me. These, however, can apparently be worked around. Contact the company for details.

For further reading:

• Video Buyer's Guide: Bigpicture - review
• ActiveWin: Samsung AnyCam MPC C-10 review