DIGI WATCHPORT/V USB CAMERA

Rating:
Summary: 6 years old - still beats the market leaders today!
Review: I just got the cam today and can only compare it to my cheaper Creative VideoBlaster Webcam Plus which it should beat hands down considering the price difference - and it does. However, here's the startling part:

This cam was released about 6 years ago (at least!). Originally it was called Vicam, but in early 1999 it was licensed to 3Com and sold as the 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital Camera. 3Com discontinued it for some reason, and so now it is sold by Digi International and Inside Out Networks (same thing?) as Watchport/V. Back in 1999 the MSRP was apparently the same as today: $199. Surprising? Here's why:

Look at a webcam test on Tom's Hardware Guide (Google it) from last fall. Here it is compared to the new models from Creative and Logitech - NX Ultra, QuickCam Pro 4000, QuickCam Orbit and more. The winner is: Watchport/V!

So here's to the market leaders Creative and Logitech. Impressive that you can stay on top selling webcams anno 2005 which still lose out to this cam from 1999 (or before?). What have your engineers been doing for the last 6 years, by the way?

I installed the cam on a Win98SE machine, and it worked out of the box. However, much of the value is in the Watchport Manager software which for some reason wasn't on the supplied CD, but you can download it for free (along with the newest driver) from Inside Out Nerworks' website. In fact, it would be a good idea to download the software and check it out before deciding whether to buy this cam.

I'm disappointed to realize that I've just paid $150 for a 6 year old webcam. On the other hand I can only be happy that I didn't pay for one of Creative's or Logitech's all but innovative models. Would you?