Home > Consumer Reviews > 3Com 00371800 HomeConnect PC Digital Camera

If you need a camera that takes higher quality, and higher resolution photos in all kinds of light, you will need this camera. The 3Com HomeConnect has remarkable low-light capability. I use it as a "weather cam." It is pointed out the window of my office in Edinburgh, Indiana where it adapts well to everything from bright sunlight to ambient street lighting at night. Unlike most Webcams, this one features a resolution as high as 640x480. I also like the long, detachable USB cord. Another plus is the easy setup utility. Basically, all you do is put the CD in the drive and it tells you onscreen what to do next. It's so simple! Just don't plug the camera into the USB port before the program instructs you to do so. It's not the least expensive camera on the market, but the extra price gets you a much better camera than the average Webcam.

The 3Com USB camera turned out a lot better than I thought. It auto adjusts to severe light conditions where other web cams (even the expensive alternatives like Winnov) fall short. The picture quality is excellent and the frame rates are very good for a USB device.

I tried it on Windows 2000 using Netmeeting 3.01 and it works perfectly - just make sure you download and install the drivers from 3com web site! I didn't even bother putting the setup CD in my computer, opting instead for the beta drivers from the web site.

Beware that several users have problems with the software and driver on the CD. Also look to make sure your USB device is installed and compatible (download the drivers from the 3com site BEDORE you buy the product to use a utility that comes with the drivers that will TEST your USB system for compatiblilty!) My Toshiba had an unsupported NEC USB Hub under Windows 2000!

It's really a good camera, just take these precautions before you buy!

An ideal webcam for windows 95/98 for the price. Excellent low light support and clarity of pictures. Slow framerates at higher resolutions are due to the USB connection, but then again, potential buyers should know that USB Cams are slower than PCI card Cams. However, it's got the fastest framerates of all the USB webcams that I've tested. I like the detacheable 9ft cord and the shutter button on the camera for taking pictures away from the PC. I've tried the Logitech Quickcam Pro, Kodak DVC325 and the Intel Create & Share Cams, and opted for the 3com Cam due to better performance. I really don't see any negative sides to this Cam.

Note: No NT drivers at this point.

Pros: It's actually a relabled Vicam, which has been favorably reviewed in the past. Excellent low light performance. Detachable USB cable is easily replaced with a longer one. Comes with an unregistered copy of webcam32 which is an excellent program for putting your camera on the web.

Cons: Apparently 3com now owns the product, so expect no driver updates and no useful customer support.

I have been very pleased with the performance and from what I have seen of the other Internet cameras out there this one has to be the best.

It has some really nice features that separate it from the rest:

· Automatic aperture adjustment so you always have the correct lighting regardless of how much light is in the room. When you have just the right mix of light the color is impressive.

· Small size about the size of a cassette tape.

· Light in front indicates camera is active.

· Manual focus knob on the front to get a clear image and is really good on close-ups up to an inch away.

· No external power is required as the unit gets its' power from the USB bus.

· Button on front to take an instant picture.

· The software allows for six different image size formats and six different image color formats.

I didn't have any problems setting up the camera as I followed the instructions that came with the unit.

All around it is a very good camera for the Internet but it certainly is not near the picture quality level of the mega pixel digital cameras.