Versatile detachable Creative Web cam

9th January - 2002
By Ian Burley

Creative Labs has introduced an unusual looking Web cam that can be un-tethered to function as an independent digital camera. The PC-CAM 600’s design appears to have been inspired by a snail’s shell - there is hardly a straight line in site; it certainly stands out.

Crucially for a camera like this, Creative hasn’t left out a built in flash. Native still image mode resolution is better than average at 1024x768, but below that of a very basic dedicated 1.3MP digicam, which would typically offer 1280x960 images. But at least the CCD is of the superior progressive type.

With its 16MB of internal memory the unit has the capacity to store 200 images at 640x480 (VGA), 85 images at 1024x768 (XGA) or 20 images at an interpolated 1.3 megapixel mode.  The PC-CAM 600 will also record a video clip with audio of up to 75 seconds or up to 60 minutes of audio only. 

Again, unusually for a Web cam like this, manual and auto controls for exposure, white balance, gamma correction and anti-flicker are featured. The flash has ‘intelligent’ auto, forced, red-eye reduction and off modes.

Perhaps the only things you will miss compared to a conventional low cost digital camera are a colour LCD viewscreen and removable memory card support.

At £139.95 the Creative PC-CAM 600 is at the top end of consumer Web cam pricing, but it does have plenty of features.

www.europe.creative.com

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