Microsoft Lifecam Hd 3000 Webcam Software

Laptop Mag Verdict

The $99.99 Swann HD PenCam spy-pen records photos and videos on the sly--but information technology's not going to fool anyone.

Pros

+
Cool timestamp feature
+
Practiced audio and video quality

Cons

-
Bad-mannered pattern for switching between video and photo
-
Larger than your average pen
-
Slow at capturing photos

Unless you're an international spy or an amateur sleuth, you'd exist forgiven if y'all didn't know where to turn in picking out the perfect spy cam. Security-themed accessories maker Swann has a new device to assist you lot in those undercover missions: the $99.99 HD PenCam. In addition to its part equally a writing tool, this USB-rechargeable gadget records video in 720p and holds up to 16GB of footage and still photos via microSD. We were impressed with the video and sound quality, but is the Hard disk drive PenCam stealthy enough for your next covert op?

Design

Click to EnlargeThe Swann Hd PenCam looks like...a pen, albeit 1 of the thickest pens we've ever seen. Though it's non the sleekest, its gold accents and dark-blue textured surface finer disguise the PenCam as a premium pen. Nevertheless, the pen's indicator calorie-free, which blinks orange in standby and blue when recording, could be enough to accident your cover.

You'll find the power/record button on the meridian of the pen. The hidden camera sits right above the pocket prune, while the status LED light is located on the flip side. Before you start recording, you'll demand to insert a microSD carte du jour. To practise this, you lot twist each finish of the pen in opposite directions until information technology separates at the heart to reveal a microSD card slot and USB port.

This is also where yous'll notice the switch for toggling betwixt photograph and video modes. We weren't thrilled with the switch pattern; it's so tiny that you'll demand to utilize the tip of a fingernail to motion it betwixt picture mode (ane) and video fashion (ii).

Photo and Video Quality

We fix up the Hard disk drive PenCam on our desk and let it record near 20 minutes of office happenings. Getting the pen to rest at the appropriate angle for recording our co-workers was a piddling tricky--it took the states about a minute to get it balanced correctly. This gadget is better suited for slipping in your shirt pocket--if you're someone whose shirts have pockets.

We got some pretty good footage out of the PenCam. The 720p video was clear and relatively sharp, though don't expect super-bright colors. We were impressed with how well the PenCam captured audio, even from several feet away. In one video, we could hear a co-worker laughing downward the hall. Sleuthing types will capeesh the PenCam's timestamp feature, which displays the appointment and time on your videos.

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Click to EnlargeThe Swann Hard disk PenCam besides shoots stills at 1600 x 1200, merely we institute this to be a less worthwhile feature, as information technology took a painfully long 3 to iv seconds to have a photo after pressing the push button. That's inappreciably ideal for anyone trying to snatch a pic on the down low. Image quality was on a par with the videos nosotros took, though some details--such as the nighttime keyboards and computers in our office--looked washed out.

Swann rates the HD PenCam for 45 minutes of battery life, and recharging the pen via USB takes approximately ninety minutes.

Verdict

While the Swann Hard disk PenCam does what it promises--and adequately well--it's definitely not the nigh well-disguised spy gadget. We hope your hole-and-corner adventures don't lead you into unsafe territory. This $99 device is simply too bulky--and its condition light too apparent--to get unnoticed. However, if you're looking for a novelty gift, the HD PenCam will requite you some good material.

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Swann HD PenCam Specs

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