Big People Have Toys Too!!!

Author's Rating:

Pros: clarity, professional quality images, lots of software

Cons: instructions, web-site, customer care

Author's Review
Let me start by saying that this review is on the EZ Cam PRO. Sorry guys, but I couldn't find the Pro (slightly different) so this'll have to do for now.

Yes, I’m a “big people” and I have toys, too. My newest is the Ezonics EZ Cam Pro. A USB web camera (specs to follow). Let me say that my friends know I hate shopping – now, the selection process was difficult at best and I spent well over an hour comparing (gosh, there’s many web cams out there).

This little camera (9.5cm x 6cm x 12cm) is wonderful. Clarity is a must as I’ve heard many complaints about clarity and we’ll just touch on lighting. This cam requires far less light than I’d heard of in horror stories about other web cams.

Specs are as follows (yes, directly from the manufacturer…accuracy is important here):

1) 350,000 pixel CCD image sensor
2) 24-bit color, YUV 4:2:2 on video output
3) up to 30 frames per second (15 frames is not bad either)
4) 1.5 Meter USB cable (not the longest, but sufficient for me)
5) 5.0 v CD @ 450 Ma provided through your computer USB port for your power source
6) Has a manual button on the camera as well as software controlled shutter control (as well as changing video modes and adjusting contrast/brightness)
7) TWAIN for still imaging and video for windows video
8) Multimedia graphical user interface
9) Only weighs 390 grams (featherlite!!)
10) You must have a Windows 98 OS
11) Comes with a one year warranty
12) And …includes drivers for just about anything you need: Live Express Video Panel which allows you to create video clips and take snapshots of your loved ones (I love this one), Live Express Send Mail (I am having some trouble with this still), Live Express Card as well as Live Express Album Maker (well….), NewSoft Presto! (wha?), Video Works 4.0 (wha? Again), Ulead Photo Express 2.0 (I’ll figure this out, I promise) and of course IE 4.0 and NetMeeting, then there’s Ezonics Video Plus (ok, hmmm…my favorite by far)

As you can guess from reading the specs, you can be very creative with this little “creature”. I love being able to adjust gamma, brightness, sharpness, hue, etc. manually (can you imagine me with a 35mm in the old days? I missed some really good shots during those days…). I’ve made some hilarious short video clips of the kids being silly (yes Ampson, you’re on it) and never mind the “quick take” photos that I snapped with this camera (oh dear, they’re in trouble now). I’ve “net-met” sending live video (well, I did brush my hair first), and created some real cute cards with picture inserts (some taken with this web cam, others imported). My only phobia about this little camera that turns on with your pc: “is it live or is it …”

I personally, have to turn this thing around when I’m not supposed to be on, my fear is that someone out there, somewhere will get a view of me and I’m not aware of it……….. So the only thing these guys could’ve done better is add an on/off feature.

Ok, as I said, it took about an hour or so to decide. Largely due to pricing. I had a choice of about 10 – 13 cameras and the price range was anywhere from 39.99 (with a $10 rebate) to maybe $200.00 or somewhere in that neighborhood. I just wanted a simple web cam. Hah!

With all the features and software, this thing was a steal at $79.99 with a $20.00 mail-in rebate. If you want a new toy but don’t want to spend too much (and are a novice at web cams so an investment would be out of the question), try this camera. It’s great!!!

The downside?

1) The drivers did not "auto install", which may not be a headache for you, but I like all the "fancy stuff" so it took a while, also

2) These guys DO NOT BELIEVE IN WELL WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

3) Oh, and forget their web-site...it's not at all informative or helpful.

4) If all fails call customer service, right? Wrong, I placed a call over two weeks ago and haven't heard back yet! Five thumbs down!!!