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Philips SPC 300NC
Price: £30

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Andy Shaw

This review updated: 22/05/2005
Featured in magazine:
Issue 107
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Philips
Web Address: www.philips.com/pcstuff


This just-released Philips camera has a separate microphone that can be attached to a lapel via a clip and plugged directly into the back of the computer, so you can start chatting straight away. However, this approach requires the use of the PC's speakers and, because of the slight time lag between the person talking at one end and the sound coming out at the other, your contacts may be able to hear their own delayed voices as the sound comes out of your speakers and feeds back into the microphone.

The design of the camera's stand means it will have to be placed on something directly in front of you – there's nothing here to enable you to attach it to a monitor – though the lens can rotate up and down to help get you in the picture if you're forced to stand it on your desk. It also has two buttons directly on the camera – one for taking a quick snap, the other for loading the bundled software.

All the software is provided through a single program called the VLounge. From here you can capture stills or video direct from the camera, and either save them to your computer's hard disk or send them in an email. There are also links to launch the video-enabled instant messengers – AOL, Yahoo and MSN.

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