Products

Based on the name of this pack, one might think it was a VoIP phone of some sort or a similar product. However, Canyon has decided that talking over VoIP requires a camera . This pack includes a Webcam with 1.3 Megapixel resolution and headphones with a microphone. The impressive package includes a somewhat large box with two driver CDs, headset and camera manuals, as well as a small hook for the headphones. The entire pack boasts an elegant design – the camera is probably the most beautiful one we have tested, while the headset is distinguished by a really unusual microphone (a tube made of metal and see-through plastic).

The camera bears the mark CN-WCAM 313 and comes with a CMOS sensor that enables recording at up to 1280 x 960 resolution. In standard usage the picture is fantastic – the colour saturation and sharpness are excellent. In good lighting conditions and daylight the framerate is a steady 30 frames per second, while in darker settings it drops to an excellent 23 fps.

The drivers, the installation of which is quite simple, provide a multitude of options: from the ability to set the flow, exposure and colour saturation to selecting a “frame” to be shown over the recorded material. When connecting the camera, the driver in the system tray is activated and it enables you to easily change the operating parameters. Also, there is a zoom option (digital one, of course) which works perfectly and is quite useful since the lens covers an unusually wide angle.

The workmanship is excellent, “rubbery” black plastic and metal. The camera stand is at the same a clip that can be attached to a laptop.

The audio part of the pack includes a headset marked CN-HS5 with one earpiece and a microphone, both of which Windows recognizes as USB sound card. It features solid workmanship, not as well as camera, but it is hard to find any serious flaws – this headset is extremely comfortable and light, although very delicate.

The cable that connects it to the computer is something that is rarely seen on computer peripherals and it looks like it was made for a far more serious device. Its length of as much as 3 metres is more than sufficient, and the cable also features the volume controls for the microphone and the earpiece, as well as mute buttons. This “remote” control also has LED indicators for showing the operating mode – when the headset is connected the green LED is on, while the red is activated when the mute button for microphone is pressed.

The sound provided by the headset is sufficient for voice communication – there is no trace of the lower tones, but the voice reproduction is excellent. Unfortunately, the microphone does not operate as well as it looks, there is a constant noise that some might find annoying, but it does not represent an obstacle in normal communication. Further complicating our review is the high sensitivity of the microphone which makes it an excellent choice for night time use.

The components of this pack really provide a very comfortable VoIP communication. The sound might not be its strongest side (although its quality is decent), while the camera is brilliant. The price of the pack is about €30* and it takes its place at the top of the Canyon product range as a part of the platinum series. We might say that this is a product with characteristics which will make it popular for a long time. All resolutions are at the claimed 30 fps, and the darkness is not a problem – all we need to do is wait for an Internet connection that can support video of such quality...

Original testing article in Serbian is available via this link http://www.sk.co.yu/2006/09/sktd18.html

* The listed price is valid only in the country where the test was conducted.