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Novo Minoru 3D Webcam review

£49 inc VAT

Manufacturer: Novo

Our Rating: We rate this 4 out of 5 User Rating: Our users rate this 4 out of 10

By | 11 March 09

The world of 3D is brought to web video chats, thanks to the Minoru 3D Webcam from Novo

The world of 3D is brought to web video chats, thanks to the Minoru 3D Webcam from Novo

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When it comes to 3D, we can't help but picture retro 50s America, with hundreds of people sitting in the cinema sporting those ever-so-stylish paper 3D glasses with red and green lenses. However, the technology is beginning to make a resurgence and the Novo Minoru 3D Webcam couldn't be further from our image (although sadly, the paper glasses do include the trademark coloured lenses).

For a start the bright red Novo Minoru 3D Webcam sports a cute-alien style design that put us in mind of Disney's Wall E character. Quite robust looking, the Novo Minoru 3D Webcam has two cameras that are almost the same distance apart as human eyes to create a stereoscopic effect, as well as a built-in microphone and a clamp that secures the webcam to the top of a PC monitor.

The Novo Minoru 3D Webcam is easy to set up. Simply attach it to the top of your monitor and then plug the USB lead into your PC and install the software. The ‘eyes' of the webcam can be moved left or right to focus the camera.

Once you've done this, it's time to adjust the vertical and horizontal alignment of the two images. The closer they are to being in-line, the better the 3D image will appear. Now you can pop on your 3D specs and enjoy the action.

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The Novo Minoru 3D Webcam can be used in either 3D, 2D or Picture in Picture mode (which works in 2D and inserts a small picture within a larger image), and it captures video at a maximum resolution of 800x600 at 30fps. It's compatible with Windows Live Messenger and ooVoo Instant Messaging (IM) programmes and Skype's VoIP software.

Simply alter the settings in your IM and VoIP software and choose the Novo Minoru 3D Webcam in place of any other installed camera. The Novo Minoru 3D webcam can also be used to capture video and still images, up to a resolution of 800x600 in 3D, which you can send to family and friends (along with a pair of glasses) to enjoy.

We found the 3D image of the Novo Minoru 3D Webcam clear and sharp. It produced the most convincing images when we moved objects (anything from our hand to a cake) towards the camera.

NEXT PAGE: Our expert verdict >>

Novo Minoru 3D Webcam Expert Verdict »
Post Review

Reviewed by kq4ym on Thursday 16 April 2009

4 star rating

Duration of ownership: 3 months

Strengths:
A fun way to do 3D video in either traditional amaglyph red/cyan or side by side freeviewing. Inexpensive to start for 3D video broadcasting, YouTube or still photos

Weaknesses:
Cannot be used with only one camera in use at a time, so will use a lot of CPU running two cameras at once.

Overall Evaluation:
I've used the Minoru 3D camera almost daily for months on my live webcasts at http://justin.tv/kq4ym and people watching find it fun, although hardly anyone has the glasses to see it. Free glasses are available from at least one source but most are not up to writing away for them. If somehow, viewers could simply send an email to someone to get free glasses this would be a huge hit.

USB 2.0 3D webcam with five pair of 3D glasses, wide-angle lens, built-in microphone, USB lead
  • Build Quality: We give this item 8 of 10 for build quality
  • Features: We give this item 7 of 10 for features
  • Value for Money: We give this item 8 of 10 for value for money
  • Overall: We give this item 8 of 10 overall

The Novo Minoru 3D webcam is a fun gadget to play with. While we think adults will tire of the 3D aspect quite soon, it’ll keep kids entertained for a long time, and with a price tag cheaper than some regular webcams that are aimed at the family, we think it’s a good buy.

There are currently no price comparisons for this product.
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