Customer Reviews

3Com 00371800 HomeConnect PC Digital Camera

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

If you need a camera that takes higher quality, and higher resolution photos in all kinds of light, you will need this camera. The 3Com HomeConnect has remarkable low-light capability. I use it as a "weather cam." It is pointed out the window of my office in Edinburgh, Indiana where it adapts well to everything from bright sunlight to ambient street lighting at night. Unlike most Webcams, this one features a resolution as high as 640x480. I also like the long, detachable USB cord. Another plus is the easy setup utility. Basically, all you do is put the CD in the drive and it tells you onscreen what to do next. It's so simple! Just don't plug the camera into the USB port before the program instructs you to do so. It's not the least expensive camera on the market, but the extra price gets you a much better camera than the average Webcam.

The 3Com USB camera turned out a lot better than I thought. It auto adjusts to severe light conditions where other web cams (even the expensive alternatives like Winnov) fall short. The picture quality is excellent and the frame rates are very good for a USB device.

I tried it on Windows 2000 using Netmeeting 3.01 and it works perfectly - just make sure you download and install the drivers from 3com web site! I didn't even bother putting the setup CD in my computer, opting instead for the beta drivers from the web site.

Beware that several users have problems with the software and driver on the CD. Also look to make sure your USB device is installed and compatible (download the drivers from the 3com site BEDORE you buy the product to use a utility that comes with the drivers that will TEST your USB system for compatiblilty!) My Toshiba had an unsupported NEC USB Hub under Windows 2000!

It's really a good camera, just take these precautions before you buy!

An ideal webcam for windows 95/98 for the price. Excellent low light support and clarity of pictures. Slow framerates at higher resolutions are due to the USB connection, but then again, potential buyers should know that USB Cams are slower than PCI card Cams. However, it's got the fastest framerates of all the USB webcams that I've tested. I like the detacheable 9ft cord and the shutter button on the camera for taking pictures away from the PC. I've tried the Logitech Quickcam Pro, Kodak DVC325 and the Intel Create & Share Cams, and opted for the 3com Cam due to better performance. I really don't see any negative sides to this Cam.

Note: No NT drivers at this point.

Pros: It's actually a relabled Vicam, which has been favorably reviewed in the past. Excellent low light performance. Detachable USB cable is easily replaced with a longer one. Comes with an unregistered copy of webcam32 which is an excellent program for putting your camera on the web.

Cons: Apparently 3com now owns the product, so expect no driver updates and no useful customer support.

I have been very pleased with the performance and from what I have seen of the other Internet cameras out there this one has to be the best.

It has some really nice features that separate it from the rest:

· Automatic aperture adjustment so you always have the correct lighting regardless of how much light is in the room. When you have just the right mix of light the color is impressive.

· Small size about the size of a cassette tape.

· Light in front indicates camera is active.

· Manual focus knob on the front to get a clear image and is really good on close-ups up to an inch away.

· No external power is required as the unit gets its' power from the USB bus.

· Button on front to take an instant picture.

· The software allows for six different image size formats and six different image color formats.

I didn't have any problems setting up the camera as I followed the instructions that came with the unit.

All around it is a very good camera for the Internet but it certainly is not near the picture quality level of the mega pixel digital cameras.

This camera was easy to set up with USB connection. Handles low light and back lit situations very well. Better than Kodak. I was up and running on Netmeeting in less than 30 minutes from beginning of installation to first conversation.

the first webcam i ever bought was the first quickcam from logitech, and when i got tired of the low quality pictures i decided to make a switch. i went to best buy and looked at the quickcam pro, and the ezcam, but for some reason this one stood out. what really pulled me in was the fact that on the back of the box there were 2 examples of pictures, one was taken with the competitor cam and the other was with the 3com, and let me tell you the difference was amazing! when i got home i plugged it into my usb and installed the software, it was a snap. the pictures have been so crisp and clear and no matter what lighting you are using the cam will still function with optimal performance. one of the benefits of this cam is that it comes with a longer cable so that you have more mobility with the cam, also the slim design allows you to put the cam virtually anywhere. as an added bonus (if you want to have a personal webcam) the software package comes with webcam32, which just happens to be one of the leaders in webcam software.

the bottom line is, if you are looking for something quick, easy, and simply amazing.....go for this product. it will amaze you! your dollars will be well spent.

I got this camera at Best Buy. I wanted to get in touch with my falmily in Wisconsin so I tried this camera. It is the best one I have seen so far, I bought another less expensive one for my parents and I regret it, their picture is always poor and blurry and they always say they can see ME clearly on netmeeting. It is sleek and light. The best thing: the picture quality. Bad things: It is a bit unstable and tends to fall from my monitor from the cable weight, also my opinion is that the usb cable is too short. In summary great buy, don't waste your time on others.

After reading all the reviews, I bought it without any hesitation. But I was totally disappointed, especially by the image quality. I think most reviews here were exaggerating its performance and I won't rely on the reviews anymore in the future. Let me give some objective comments on this product.

1.auto exposure control is pretty good in low light condition. Works fine even in a room with only one 60W bulb.But in the day time, auto mode causes over exposure.

2.Image quality is poor. I always see yellow stains on the pictures which are very disgusting,The hue is never right no matter how you adjust it. image is not very clear either.

I compared it with intel PC camera Pro which uses CCD sensor and only 10~20 dollars more than this one. Oh,boy! if you see that one, you will know 4 star for 3com is just too high. I recommand intel PC camera Pro to whoever wants a REALLY good web camera. of course, intel is not perfect either(redish hue,software not convenient,low light OK but not very good...,but picture is crispy and day time performance is wonderful)

I work from home and use this camera in association with NetMeeting Software and I give it two thumbs up. The resolution and the over all quality images this camera generates is exceptional for it's bargain price.

The base is also detachable and can be set at various degrees. I use the base to clip on my laptop (screen). Great buy...trust me I own 3