TWO YEAR UPDATE:
My original review is below. I just wanted to post a quick update that I ended up going with this camera for daily use after all, and enjoyed two years of use before the speaker suddenly croaked on me yesterday. It will play about a half-second of scratchy audio after a fresh computer restart, then it quits until the next restart. I unplugged/replugged, tried troubleshooting the driver, etc., but couldn't get it working again. So I guess it's toast.
Again, it lasted two years of daily (well, weekdaily) use with nary a problem. And to be fair, even when it wasn't actually in use, it was plugged in and powered on almost constantly for those two years. Also, I've been using it through a USB hub, which might not be providing the expected power to the camera. So it's tough to be too critical of it giving out when it did.
Now I just get to decide if two years is good enough to justify buying this same item again, or if I'd rather test my luck with something else. I haven't decided yet, but I have to say, the audio on this puppy is such a standout in its category that I'm really tempted…
ORIGINAL REVIEW: ————————————–
I really, really like this camera. I work on a laptop with two massive external monitors. There's nowhere good to put the laptop where the camera, speakers, and microphone work well for Zoom meetings. This camera includes all three in one neat little package, and puts them right on top of my main monitor so I can see and be seen, and can hear and be heard.
The video quality is quite good — not a standout in video conferencing, but better than many. Let's say it easily holds its own without overperforming.
The microphone is a strong point. With such large monitors, I sit about three feet away, and most microphones don't pick up my voice well. This one works from even further away and I come through nice and clear on the other end.
What really surprised me, and why I'm really going to miss this camera, was the speaker quality. It's remarkably deep and rich. Considerably better than the laptop speakers, which aren't exactly slouching. This speaker isn't going to stand up to a really good audio setup, but I've honestly never heard its equal in such a small package.
The problem with the camera is how VERY wide the viewing angle is. It shows the full width of my office, and there I am, alone in the middle of it. Not necessarily a problem, but it requires me to keep much more of my office presentable than I find convenient. (Not that I'm *that* sloppy, but a stack of books or an empty shipping box occasionally finds its way into the corner…)
The combination of the wide angle lens, long-range microphone, and strong audio would make this camera an excellent choice for groups who need to be seen and heard together. Individuals will have to decide if the mic and speakers are worth the extraordinarily wide view.
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