Sombrero Wearing USB Webcam 352 Review

published: 08/12/04  last updated: 08/12/04

Continuing this weeks cute gadget reviews (see the Talking Toonies Review) we take a look at the new O'Rite Technologies Webcam 352, which we received from Hong Kong Gadget Store Fancylogic. This is USB Webcam is extremely 'cartoonish' looking and it comes with little outfits. The blue one I received has a Mexican Sombrero and a little shirt. Without the clothes the USB Camera looks a bit like Kenny from Comedy Central's South Park.

 

FancyLogic sells the Webcam 352 for $38.50 (ships international). The Webcam 352 wedding package sells for $72.50 (incl. 2 cameras). The Mexican Webcam 352 also sells for $38.50.

usb webcam review o rite usb camera webcam 352

Overview
After getting over the fact how funny this little USB Webcam looks with its big sombrero, I then went over to actually try this cute looking USB gadget. The Webcam 352 is technically a standard webcam with capture modes of 160x120px with 30fps, 320x240 with 25-30fps and 640x480 also at 30fps (with the webcam 352, the model that I have is actually the older my-cam 120 where 640x480 is interpolated).
Important when installing the drivers is to not connect the camera before the software is installed. In the webcam package is a big flyer telling that, follow it. I did not the first time and had to fiddle a bit with the drivers to get it to work.  The camera registers as TWAIN interface and is also supporting Microsoft's MSN Messenger 6.0. The camera comes also with the old Microsoft AMCap tool.
The Webcam 352 is bundled with It's Me a avatar creation software. The software allows to create 3d animated figures with imported mug-shots projected on the face. See below for some details on this. The Webcam 352 has also a built-in microphone in the "ears". On top is a button to take snapshots.

webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review

Hilarious looking webcam with sombrero and little shirt.

Usage
After the software is installed, I can plug in the camera and the webcam is operational. The image quality is average. There are always some moving noise typical for those kinds of webcams visible. The frame rate and image quality is fine for video conferencing. The head is movable left and right to adjust the camera. The lens itself can be moved up and down. The focus can also be adjusted. The capture button is very useful. After pushing the button when the AMCap software is not running it launches the application. The second click is then capturing the image. The image sizes and frame rates can be adjusted in the AMCAP program under menu item Video Capture Pin.

webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review

captured test photo with the Webcam 352. 


 

webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review
front view with hat.
webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review
Webcam 352 as package in wedding outfits.
webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review
Without clothes the webcam looks like kenny from South Park.

It's Me Software
The bundled software has only marginally something todo with a USB Webcam. It takes photos from captured with the webcam to project it on a 3d head. The software can take any photos. I tested with the head of the model in the latest T3 Magazine desktop image. The face editor is easy to use and the only thing i have todo is to scale the image in the tool to fit the green lines indicating the facial features like eyes, nose and mouth. Once I have the head i can then put together a complete 3d avatar with different outfits, shows, accessories, hair and what not. After that I can apply movement patterns to the figure and then export it as animated gif and other animations. See this little avi movie (300k) as an example.
The It's Me software is from Realillusion Inc. and sells on their site for 69.95.
webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review

It's me facial editor.


 
webcam 352 mexican mycam 120 orite usb camera review

It's Me avatar creator. This one is doing aerobic.



Conclusion
There are tons of USB webcams on the market. This one stands out with its little cartoon style shape and of course the little outfits. Most USB Webcams look just to techie. From the quality standpoint the camera is fine and comparable to others in that price range. The camera is easy to use and is compatible with TWAIN and MSN Messenger which makes it usable for all typical applications.


How to Buy
FancyLogic sells the Webcam 352 for $38.50 and is shipping it international. This one does not come with an outfit. The Mexican Webcam 352 also sells for $38.50. The Webcam 352 wedding package sells for $72.50 (incl. 2 cameras). This one has outfits.

 

Specifications

  • Built-in JPEG Compression
  • VGA 640x480 @ 30 frame rate per second
  • USB Interface with Plug and Play
  • Snapshot Button for Image Capture
  • Lens Focus from 3 cm to Infinity
  • Full Screen 640 x 480 Display
  • Built-in Microphone
  • High Quality Lens for Sharp Pictures
  • Multi Color Shell
  • High-quality still pictures and motion video capturing
  • Sensor: 1/4" CMOS 350K Pixels
  • Video Format: 24-Bit True Color
  • USB Interface: Compliant to USB 2.0 and 1.1
  • Image Res: 640x480, 352x288, 320x240, 176x144, 160x120
  • Video Resolutions: 640x480, 352x288, 320x240, 176x144, 160x120
  • VGA 640x480 @ 30 frame rate per second
  • Adjustable Focus: 3 CM to Infinity
  • Automatic White Balance
  • Automatic Exposure
  • Automatic Compensation
  • Store Digital Videos in AVI and WMV File Formats
  • Store Digital Photos in JPEG and BMP File Formats
  • CE , FCC
    see also the O'Rite product page.
     

 

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