Ezonics has combined the worlds of PC video camera and digital still camera with their EZDual. Because it uses USB connections, installation proved simple, although installing the myriad software titles bundled with the camera took a while.
As a PC video camera, the EZDual worked well. Although the first time we video conferenced our frames-per-second rate stayed very low (less than 5 fps), in subsequent uses, the EZDual corrected this, and we had a much more useable 20+ fps. The EZDual worked flawlessly with Microsoft's NetMeeting, allowing us to see and chat with friends and family around the country.
As a still camera, the EZDual offers a lot of nice touches. It can hold up to 20 pictures in its memory at fairly high resolution. It also offers a screw port for mounting on a tripod, a 10-second delay to let you view your own pictures on the camera, and an automatic power-down to save battery life. At only 320,000 pixels, it's not as high quality as some of the other digital cameras on the market, but it gets the job done.
Using a USB connection, it was easy to unplug the camera and take it on the road without any hassles. Once we returned, we simply plugged the camera back in and downloaded our pictures. From there, we had the option of recording and sending video e-mails, video conferencing, and editing our still pictures into photo albums, thanks to the 10 included software titles.
Overall, we were impressed with the EZDual, although the cable connecting our PC's USB port to the camera was a bit short, and there was no monitor stand to hold it in place for videoconferencing (we found the EZDual slipped off the top of a curved monitor). But for the price, the EZDual gives you some good features--if not the best--of both PC video and digital still cameras. --J. Curtis
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Very portable
- Still and digital camera options
Cons:
- Short cable
- Didn't see 30 fps when used as video camera
- Camera slides off top of curved monitors
Product Description:
This is a Digital Video Camera - the EZDual Cam. Plug the EZDual Cam into your PC and you have a top of the line PC Digital Video Camera. Unplug the EZDual Cam and you have a full-featured Digital Camera. It's truly the best of both worlds. The new Ezonics Corporation EZDual Cam will change the way you communicate. This state of the art USB camera will allow you to capture full motion video, capture still pictures and videoconference the EZ way. Installation is a snap. Just plug the EZDual Cam into your USB port, load the drivers and you have full featured PC Digital Video Camera. Unplug the EZDual Cam and it becomes a full featured stand alone Digital Camera. Imagine sending your friends, family or business associates Video-mail instead of just plain old e-mail. With your EZDual Cam system and the include software you can attach an executable file to the normal e-mails you send everyday. Now when the recipient of your e-mail downloads the file you have attached, and double clicks, there is your video, full motion and with audio. It's almost like being there. The EZDual Cam will also allow you to take still pictures. Unplug the EZDual Cam and you have a Digital Camera with enough internal memory to hold 20 VGA quality pictures. You can now print it, e-mail it or with the included software have fun with it. Make cards, calendars, enhance the image, edit the image and even add special effects. You will be amazed at the possibilities.
Ezonics EZ-308 EZDual Cam