New Point 2 View Webcam from IPEVO

 

I received the new Point 2 View (P2V) USB camera sample from IPEVO recently. The P2V is indeed designed with interesting concepts. The most eye-catching part is the white, elegant long-neck webcam stand. IPEVO, did you get the idea from Pixar’s iconic long-neck lamp?

 

Its main body looks very similar to IPEVO’s old POV webcam, which includes a camera capable of taking extreme close up shots (within 2 inches.), and comes equipped with a snapshot and a force focusing button. The major change from the previous version is that P2V is now an auto-focusing only device. It has removed the manual focusing adjustment knob on the webcam. To a control-freak like me, it is somewhat non-desirable. However, with the auto-focusing technology available today, it should not create any issues with using the device. Besides, there is a switch on the main body which tells the P2V to work in the “continuous focus adjusting” or a “focus once and use the same setting later” mode. It is still smart enough, and can adapt to different applications.

 

I want to focus on two very cool features in this P2V review: “true point 2 view ability” and “realizing eye-to-eye contact in a video chat”. I believe they are the important factors that make the P2V stand out from the over-crowded Logitech and Microsoft webcam sea.

 

True Point 2 View Ability

 

As the name suggests, P2V is a true point 2 view webcam. While the extreme close-up capability and the detachable main body help to achieve this feature, the included long-neck stand really evolves this point 2 view concept from a novel idea, to practical use. Think about this: our human hands cannot sustain long periods of time staying in a fixed position. A shaking hand might create a nauseating, uncomfortable feeling for the viewers. With the webcam sitting firmly on the stand, you can now point the camera at the object you want to share for as long as you would like, and still ensure a pleasant viewing experience for the receivers on the other end.

 

Here are some examples of what this IPEVO P2V can do:

 

• Pointing to a thin paper document: you can go over an important document on a thin paper with your co-workers residing in another state.

 

• Pointing to a thick book: you can conduct a group study with your classmates on Skype.

 

• Pointing to a colorful drawing: see what your lovely daughter prepared for Dad when you are traveling overseas.

 

The extreme close-up shots are very clear, right? There are three more little things I want to point out in the design:

 

• The bottom round-shaped base of the P2V stand is heavy. You can extend the arm to the longest distance with the main body almost touching the table top without tilting the base. Everything can stay steady even in the worst of conditions.

 

• The recovery time for the stand to go back to stable after you adjust the webcam position is minimal. 3-seconds is the longest period of time that I have counted of which there is a little residue vibration on the stand after I move the webcam to a different position.

 

• There are three webcam connection pins on the stand. This feature allows for the flexibility of the document positioning on the table. Of course, you can still detach the main body from the stand to achieve maximum flexibility.

Again, those little things demonstrate that IPEVO is still willing to go the extra-mile to please potential users. That’s why I like the products from this company.

 

P2V Realizing Eye-to-eye Contact in a Video Chat

 

Eye-to-eye contact is a very crucial part in human communication. Sometimes, your eyes can deliver all of those subtle feelings of which you want to express but have no words to describe. But, simulating eye-contact is always an issue with online video chat. You can:

 

• Always look at the pretty face of your girlfriend on the computer screen. But, unfortunately, the webcam is usually not at the same location of the screen. Therefore, the webcam will always capture you looking at another place.

 

• Look at the keyboard when you type. But, again, your girlfriend will see you looking down all the time.

 

• To compromise your girlfriend’s video chat experience, you can always look at the camera. But, without the eye interaction, your girl friend will see stone eyes, those which do not seem to contain a soul.

 

Anyway you try, there will be always lack of eye interaction. I think this is why online video chatting is not more popular.

 

Luckily, IPEVO has rolled out the P2V. Although IPEVO might not have intentionally designed the P2V to accomplish the eye interaction feature, the long, slim neck of the webcam stand and the not-too-big webcam front size can be used to create the eye contact. Just get your girlfriend and you both a P2V, stand the webcam right in front of the computer screen, pull the main body to your eye level, and you two are ready to experience video chat in a whole new dimension. When you look at the screen, you are simultaneously looking at the P2V. You might need to learn to use the camera in this way. But, you really won’t miss a lot on the screen since the front dimension of the webcam and the neck is minimal.

 

Below, you will see a video generated with this setup. When I say “I’m looking at the screen”, I’m looking at my image on the screen.When I say “I’m looking at the webcam”, I’m looking at the P2V. There is really not much difference! I can look at the image on the screen, do the chat, and the other party will feel that I'm looking at the webcam / them.

 

 

Suggestions to IPEVO

 

• Add an LED light at the front of the P2V camera? Depending on the location of the light source, sometimes, the shadow of the webcam main body sits right on the top of the document you want to scan.

 

• Maybe match the color on the P2V main body part (silver) and the stand (white)?

 

• Or, hire a porn star to do a point 2 view video chat demonstration session. This point to view USB camera might get enormous publicity by doing so… :p