PlayStation Eye

by Sony

• Free EyeCreate editing software, which allows users to save, edit and add cool visual effects to photos, video and audio clips
• Camera and audio reception making it an integral part of the PlayStation Move motion control system
• A sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition
• Two fast frame rates for improved tracking, responsiveness and smoothness
• Two position zoom lens for close-up and full body options and 4 channel audio input - 16-bits/channel, 48kHz, SNR 90db

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000VTQ3LU
• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 6.8 x 8.9 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 31, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (253 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #20 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Accessories

Product Description

Amazon.com

The PlayStation Eye is a must-have accessory for any PlayStation 3 (PS3) owner looking to extend their interactive gaming and online communication experience. The powerful camera functionality of PlayStation Eye combined with the PlayStation Move controllers (sold separately) provide for the most advanced motion controlled gaming experience to date, while standard high-end video and audio features also allow it to facilitate crystal clear audio and video chat via PlayStation Network, as well as editable and savable video and static images. High-end camera and mic in one unit. View larger. Use with the PS3 and Move controller. View larger. Or add the Move sub-controller on select games. View larger. Revolutionize Your Gaming and Online Communication The PlayStation Eye camera is an integral part of PlayStation Move's experience. The camera tracks the sphere of the Move motion controller and your head movement to accurately read your every move. Crouch behind cover, or dodge an incoming attack - your movements will be accurately captured in-game. The camera has a fast frame rate for pristine video quality. It can capture the image of you and your surroundings, turning your living room into the setting for playtime with your EyePet, or making you the star contestant in TV Superstars. It has built-in microphones so that you can chat about strategies with other players, give in-game commands, or set up a private conversations with up to six friends. PlayStation Move PlayStation Move offers a new and innovative gaming experience for the PlayStation3 (PS3) system by fusing realistic, high-definition gaming along with accurate, intuitive control. Consisting of PlayStation Move motion controller, the PlayStation Move sub-controller and the PlayStation Eye camera, the PlayStation Move controller system enables sophisticated motion control and immersive gameplay only possible on PlayStation 3. Camera Specifications: Video 56 or 75 degrees field or view zoom lens Fixed-focus, 1ft to infinity (manual adjustment not required) 640 x 480 at 60 frames/second 320 x 240 at 120 frames/second 8 bit or 10 bit dynamic range USB 2.0 high-speed transfer Uncompressed video or optional JPEG compressor Audio Omni-directional four microphone linear array 4 channel ADC IC chip 18bit at SNR 90db, up to 48kHz audio sampling rate Extend the Fun with EyeCreate Software The free, downloadable EyeCreate editing software allows PlayStation Eye owners to save photos, and video and audio clips to your PS3 hard disk drive, as well as apply eye-catching visual effects to your images. Different capture modes like time-lapse and slow motion, open up a world of possibilities to be explored further in EyeCreate's editing suite, where you can turn your media into professional looking movies. Key Peripheral Features Tracks the motion controller's sphere to accurately read player position. Engineered to perform well in low light conditions. Enables head tracking to read complete upper body movement. Zoom lens for close-up or full body options. Captures the video of you and your surroundings, turning the living room into the setting of the game. Fast frame rate up to 120 frames/second provides pristine video quality. Take photos of your victories and defeats and share with friends. Creates a realistic, lifelike avatar of yourself using your own image. Can be used for in-game chat and voice-commands. Sound quality is crystal clear with the built-in 4 microphone array.

Product Description

EyeCreate is the first video editing software for the PlayStation3. Using EyeCreate and the PlayStation Eye camera, you can capture video, audio and even photos which can then be edited into a movie. An extensive list of special effects such as Color Filters, Distortions, Art Filters and Motion Trails can give your video a professional touch. There are even advanced features such as Time Lapse and Stop Motion to experiment with. Once you're done creating and editing your masterpiece, Export it to watch it on the Video folder of the XMB. EyeCreate will let you express yourself and get creative!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 150 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique fun! October 30, 2007

By Chris

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I purchased the Eye Camera seperate from the Eye of Judgement game becasue I really don't play card games. The reason I purchased the camera was so that I could use it with my 5 yr. old who has recently taken an interest in animation. With the free download available on the PSN, you are able to leverage this clever device to do all sorts of fun and unique things. But first, I'll address the camera from a hardware perspective:

It's well built, and sturdy looking. The camera pivots from left to right on it's base, but cannot be adjusted to look up or down. The camera auto-focuses, and seems to do a nice job of it. The lens does twist to provide a "zoom" view of the subject as well. Perhaps the thing I was most impressed with is the sound quality it is able to capture. I recorded a few demo videos to test the functionality, and found that you can easily sit 10 feet from the camera and talk in very normal tones and the camera picks it all up beautifully. The sound is rich and full. I have not had the chance to video chat with it yet, but from what I have seen, it will be nice and easy. The 360 offers a similar product, but the image quality and frame rates are not quite as good, and you are required to wear a headset to transmit voice and pick up sound. Overall, I am pleased with it from a hardware aspect, with he only real downsides being the fact that you cannot pivot the lens up or down.

No software comes with the camera. Instead, you must grab it from the Playstation Store on the PSN. It is a free download, and takes up very little space. The software itself is easy, but does have a small learning curve due to the fact that it does not come with much in the way of detailed instructions. However, anyone with any technological saavy will be up and running in no time. Capturing video is easy and fun. If you are expecting fancy editing software, you'll be dissapointed here, but that isn't the point. The ability to save your videos to the PS3 HD is great, and the fact that they can be transferred to a PC (via a USB storage device) is really cool--especially considering that you can then turn around and email them to family/friends or post them on YouTube. The software offers several effects including various colors filters and distortion modes, as well as the ability to do stop motion and time lapse. The latter two effects are the main reasons I purchased the camera, and I could not be more pleased with how they work. For time lapse, you can set the cam to snap a photo every 5, 10, or 30 seconds, and simply leave the camera untouched for hours on end, simply to return and view the results later. I have left the camera on--pointing out a window--overnight to watch the sunrise. What a neat option! The stop-motion animation function is unbelievably simple. You snap several photos in succession, and then the software combines them into a single video file. You can fit up to 100 frames into each scene, and then the various scenes can be combined to form one long stop-motion movie. For adults out there that are maybe having trouble finding fun things to do with their kids and are intimidated by today's complex video games, I can tell you firsthand that this is a breath of fresh air, and a great way to to intereact with the young ones.

The overall image quality is pretty good. One thing I do not like about the software, is that if you tweak it for specific lighting array, you aren't able to save those settings, which means you need to change them each time you begin using the camera again. There really isn't any excuse for this, but know that changing these settings probably takes less than 30 seconds.

Great product overall. Mind you, this isn't a hi-def camera, but it gives you the tools to do things on a console that have never been done before. In the very near future, there will be additional software released for the camera via the PSN Store. One that intrigues me is an aquarium simulator that looks eerily realistic. The fish react to movement on the camera, which sounds like a great thing to have on the background if you are having people over. All in all, I am pleased with this product and I hightly reccomend it.

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mine pivots up and down December 12, 2007

By Jason Cox

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but when I purchased this product I was under the assumption this camera only moved from left to right. Well, mine moves up and down as well. The camera overall is very nice. I think the video and audio it records is very nice. Looking forward to see how cool this will be when home comes out. I'm sure there will be something we can do with it. I'm very happy with this purchase and can't wait to see what games will do with it. I purchased this from amazon and just want to clear this up for everyone, this camera moves up, down, left and right.

85 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The EYES Have It November 24, 2007

By A. C. Ege/Acedoh VINE™ VOICE

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I can't get the name Eye Toy out of my head. The familiar camera for the PS2 now has a very new and classy look on the PS3. Say hello to the mature Playstation Eye. If you had a Playstation Eye for the Playstation 2 you are probably aware of the interactivity that was available. Now with the newest edition Eye that is taken up one level to a whole new dimension.

Getting my hands on this has been a few weeks in coming. Deciding on whether I wanted to purchase it with a game is what kept me. In reality I didn't need a card game so I purchased this for the measely sum of $40 and now I have this beautiful contraption. Once you open the package there is not much to it. Connect the 6 foot usb cord to the PS3 and go to device settings and make sure your PS3 is aware it has a camera. No installation here which makes life that much easier.

If you have access to the Playstation Network you can download the Eye Create software for free. A rather small and unassuming file packed with punch. I really didn't expect much from a free program but I was in for a big surprise. The program is actually an editing program and a very simple but very good one at that. The program allows for capturing video, sound, and pics. You can then edit your masterpiece to create a decent home movie. I am still unaware as to whether I can upload the videos onto Youtube or mail them to others on my friend list. This is a great little bonus program to owning the Eye.

As of now there are a couple mini games available at a low price on the PSN. And of course they are interactive with the Eye. The first game is actually an aquarium. I don't know as much for a game as an interactive screen saver that would be nice when your entertaining. The camera captures movement and gives your slight reflection as if looking into aquarium glass. You can move your arms around to spook the fish and then you can act like your dropping your hand in the water to see the slight ripple. Pretty cool little trick.

The other game is kind of silly but the kids will love it. The object is to save these little mindless creatures. By using your hands to move them to safety. The game starts off rather easy and gets more complex. Most adults may get bored but I can see how a child would have a lot of fun with the interaction.

Of course this is just the beginning of numerous interactive games that will be available for many months on the PSN. No word as to whether they will offer these games in a collection on the disc. The first major game to utilize the Eye will be Sing Star. It will allow you to show off your singing skills to others.

Now I have just mentioned a few of the advantages of the Eye and of course there is the Eye of Judgement game many people have raved about. But I enjoy this camera for the ability to have video chats. I had a video chat and the picture looked great. Very clear and able to handle low light. What was also impressive was it moved at normal speed thanks to the cameras ability to move 120 frames per second. Having a conversation with someone looks normal and not like they are moving in slow motion. The microphone picks up sound extremely well and the voice conversation comes out great. The PS3 allows for video confrencing with 4 people. For the quality it is one of the best and cheapest video confrencing programs available.

I would have to say the Playstation Eye is a shining feature on the PS3. If you are looking for something that will continue to reward you over the coming months with new games and the ability to actually see the people you talk to the Playstation Eye is where it's at. Great for kids or adults it's a great value.