Full Review
Starting with a 24-bit color CCD lens, a fast USB conneciton, and a native 640x480 resolution this webcam has all the makings of a winner. Many cams on the
market claim to have similiar resolutions but don't actually deliver good picture quality. Images created with the 3Com are sharp and the colors are excellent.
Fluorescent
Office Lighting |
Dark corner
under my desk |
See how
dark the corner is |
Outdoor
Image |
| (Images
from Krosnoff.com) |
The best feature of the HomeConnect is its ability to handle a variety of lighting conditions.
Most webcams use inexpensive CCD or CMOS lens that cannot adjust properly for bright or dark conditions.
The electronics and lens of the HomeConnect can automatically adjust for almost any light conditions.
In fact this webcam is can operate at less than 1 lux (a measure of available light). Many other WebCams
on the market today need over 100 lux to produce useful pictures. Check out the sample images taken with the 3Com.
Notice how the WebCam automatically adjusted from very dark to bright conditions.
The HomeConnect attaches to any Windows 9x machine via it's removeable 9-foot USB cable.
This is a standard device-to-usb cable and can be extended to 16' with a 6' usb extension cable.
As with all USB devices the recommended maximum cable length is 16'. Several companies have promised
electronic USB extensions that will expand the reach well beyond the current limitations.
Manually focusing the 3Com is easy with the thumbwheel ring around the lens. Sharp images can be taken
within a 1 inch to infinity focus range. The lens can be totally removed and an optional lens installed.
The available pack includes 3 other types of lens (macro, wide-angle, telephoto). These lenses
are available here.
Standard WebCam images are usually 320x240 pixels but the HomeConnect is capable of 128x96 to 1280x960 (software enhanced) resolutions.
At the lowest picture size the 3Com is capable of an amazing 60 frames-per-second! Using the more normal 320x240 it can pump out 30 fps
for smooth video conferencing or streaming video. Unlike many of it's competitors the 3Com doesn't produce blurry images at high frame
speeds. The high speed USB interface worked very reliably and the WebCam didn't interfere with my USB scanner and ZIP drive.
Webcam32
Screenshot |
3Com includes a nice bundle of software with the Homeconnect. This includes Webcam32 , PictureWorks Live, NetCard, Real G2 Player,
Microsoft Netmeeting, and the ViViewer application.
Use the included Webcam32
to set up a WebCam website with either streaming video or FTP upload images.
The 3Com is compatible with all major videoconferencing programs such
as ICUII and Netmeeting (included). Unlike some webcams there is no built-in
microphone for audio capture. However, it was easy to install a microphone
and video chat using Netmeeting.
All things considered, this is one of the best WebCams on the market.
The hardware is high quality and the bundled applications cover most users needs.
Maybe only one other WebCam in this price range produces the same quality of images.
Taking compatibility and reliability into consideration this may be the best
choice.
Sidebar: Origin of the Homeconnect.
A few years ago a company called Vista
Imaging released a parallel port WebCam called the Vicam. This WebCam was a huge leap beyond the offers of
companies like Creative and Logitech. The image quality was excellent and the camera worked well in all sorts
of lighting conditions. Reviewers were amazed at the superior performance compared the existing Quickcam.
Because Vista was a small company, the Vicam never had the same level of marketing as the best selling Quickcam.
The lucky few who got Vicams found them in certain electronics stores or bought them online directly. Personally I've only
ever found the Vicam in one store and that was 2000 miles from my home!
Pleased with the Vicam's performance, the consumer electronics giant 3Com decided to offer it in their own product line.
The 3Com Homeconnect would of been just a Vicam relabeled except for one major change... a USB interface. With the addition
of the super fast and easy to use USB interface the Homeconnect (aka Vicam) was all set to be a best seller.
Almost every electronics store noew carries them and countless online retailers offer them.
This product has been discontinued! Try getting one here!
| Specs & Features: |
| Manufacturer: |
3Com |
| Platforms supported: |
PC - USB interface |
| Operating System: |
Win95OSR2/98/2000 |
| System requirements: |
Pentium 166, 32Mb RAM, USB, CD-ROM,
29Mb free hard drive space |
| Frame rate: |
Up to 60fps at 160x120 pixels |
| Sensor Type: |
CCD |
| Highest Resolution: |
1,280x960 (software enhanced), 640x480 (optical) |
| Misc stuff: |
removable lenses, focusing ring, automatic gain
shutter control, 1 year warranty |
Review by:
