IPEVO PoV Web Camera Review

The IPEVO PoV Web Camera is a nice travel webcam that you can take along with you on business trips or vacation and not have to worry about losing it or breaking it. It only costs $39.99, which isn't that expensive and it's small and lightweight enough to stuff in any bag.

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IPEVO PoV Web Camera Specs:

• Compatible with Internet communication applications including: Skype, Yahoo, MSN, AOL,etc.
• Macro Focus: 6cm (2.3 Inches)
• Built-in microphone
• Interface: USB1.1/ USB 2.0 compatible
• Adjustable manual focus-Multiple digital zoom
• Automatic white balance and gamma correction
• Sensor: CMOS
• Video Capture: 640 x 480
• Max. Frame Rate: 30fps
• Size : 95 (L) x 30 (W) x 24 (D) cm
• Weight: 70g

Design and Build

The PoV webcam is made of plastic, but still feels solid. The plastic keeps the webcam lightweight. The model I have is black in color, but it also comes in white. If your notebook or Tablet PC doesn't have a webcam built-in and you love to chat on Skype or any other messenger, then the PoV webcam could be perfect for you.

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It is inexpensive and the cool thing about it is, its mobility. The PoV (Point of View) webcam can be moved around at any angle to get the background, scenery or other friends in the shot. It isn't your standard "headshot" webcam. Perfect for parents who want to keep in contact with their children who are away at college or vise versa.

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With the included PoV software, one click of the "send" button transmits a snapshot to your contacts. The send button is located on the top of the camera and automatically sends pictures. Taking pictures is easy too. The bright neon green button on the top of the camera takes snap shots, so now you can have live video chats and still images.

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The PoV webcam has a very basic design and almost looks like a mini-microphone. Speaking of microphones, it has one of those built-in as well. The lens can be manually focused for those close-up pictures or to help your read some paperwork. It also has digital zoom and a maximum frame rate of 30fps. It's not the highest quality webcam on the market, but it gets the job done. The only noticeable thing is the white balance and color seem a little off.

Using the Camera

The IPEVO PoV webcam is easy to use. Once you install the included software CD, which walks you through step-by-step and only takes a few minutes, then your ready to plug in the webcam to one of your USB ports and start chatting or taking pictures.

Screen shot of the PoV webcam menu and
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The oversized focus ring provides dynamic adjustments. It's ideal for capturing those close-up photos or viewing documents. You can adjust the focus down to about 3 inches away from the subject matter.

The handheld option allows you to be mobile with the webcam and not tied to your chair. You can move the PoV around and capture any shots you would like and send them to your contacts. I know some companies like Asus have the integrated webcams in their notebooks that turn the other way, but then you have to move the notebook. With the PoV you just move the webcam where ever you want. Luckily the attached USB cord is about three and a half feet long, so you have some lead way.

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Since the PoV web camera is a detachable, pen-like web camera, it initiates image sharing experience over IP. It's a "See what I See" webcam. It does a good job of this too because it can be positioned at any angle or clipped onto your notebook with the included stand.

As I mentioned the quality is average. It isn't an expensive webcam with a high resolution though. It has a resolution of 640 x 480 and still gets the job done. Pictures are clear, but the color is off and web chats are clear, but a little delayed. Basically you get what you pay for a functional Web Camera that can be mobile and moved anywhere you go. I know I mentioned it is cheap too!

Conclusion

There isn't much you can buy for under $50 anymore, so if you are in need of a good webcam that has an innovative PoV feature, the IPEVO webcam is for you. If you want a reliable webcam that doesn't break your piggy bank and still lets you chat with friends and take pictures, it's for you. Don't expect great images like from a 5-6 megapixel camera and be ready for some video delays, but it does work and being able to show what is going on around you is cool and unlike any other web camera.

Pros

• Not expensive
• PoV feature, can move the webcam around
• Send pictures to Contacts with button
• Lightweight and durable
• Manual focus

Cons

• Color is distorted, white balance off
• Video delayed, not a high frame per second rate
• Clip doesn't stay secure on all notebooks

Pricing and Availability

The PoV Web Camera is available from IPEVO's website for $39.99.

 

If they built a nice extendable stand for it, that would be nice. I still like the Logitech Quickcam Pro for Notebook because of this.

 

I agree the stand is kind of awkward and doesn't always stay conected to your notebook. An extended one would be better, but the fact that it can be moved around and capture your surroundings is nice.