Show the world the real you - but put your make-up on first (Trust Communicator Webcam WB-1400T)

Member Name: sandra101

Product:	Trust Communicator Webcam WB-1400T
Date:	11/09/08 (610 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive, adds to the online experience

Disadvantages: Not the sharpest of video image

About six months ago I had to organise training on vodcasts (like a podcast only with video) in work. I needed to order 30 web cams to allow each of the employees being trained to access the training material and record their vodcast.

I rang up our usual supplier and told him what I wanted, the budget I had, and asked for his suggestion. He recommended the Trust WB-1400T webcam and could supply 30 for around £8.00 each. I checked his recommendation out online and came back with some good reviews on it, plus at that price and only having a few days notice I was kind of going to have to go along this route anyway.

A couple of days later a large cardboard box turned up with my webcams etc. in it and I was like a kid in a toy shop. I had ordered an extra one for myself as I figured if anyone wants to know how to use it I can't help if I haven't used it myself, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

- - How does it Look - -

It's black, silver and gunmetal grey and while its not exactly small and unobtrusive it looks like a serious webcam, not one built into the belly of a darlek or C3P0 as many others seem to be. It is about 7cm high and about 5 cms wide where it clips on to the LCD monitor.


- - Set-up - -

It has a little tripod type stand which allows it to balance very well on a CPU case, one leg is like a clamp and allows the camera to be clipped onto your LCD screen or laptop. Once in position it has great staying power although you may want to play around with it to get the lens focusing in the correct position. You can move the camera through 360 degrees if the notion takes you.
Once positioned you simply connect the camera to your computer with the usb cable supplied.

- - Loading the Software - -

I can't really comment on this in much detail as I had to get a man in. Not through my own stupidity I hasten to add but due to being networked we don't have admin rights to install software. I was present and it seemed a simple enough affair, once the technician was logged on as an admin user he downloaded the software without any messing about or settings needing to be changed\created. I believe at home it would just be a case of putting the cd on and simply pressing download to get both the driver and video capture software.

- - Software - -

The software supplied doesn't allow for video editing etc. but can capture video and save it as an avi file which can then be used in various software packages.

- - Manual - -

The manual is tiny and has very little information within it, but the fact that this is so easy to operate means it doesn't really matter. The pictures showing the installation of the device drivers are probably the most helpful.

- - Uses (additional mic required) - -

Vodcast -

This is where people can record short training or informative videos etc. mostly for inclusion on powerpoint presentations or for files that can be sent by email or downloaded from a website.

Skype Chat -

This is where you use skype to phone for free over the internet but with a webcam you can also see and be seen, makes for a better and more interactive experience.

Good point - its nice to be able to see who you are speaking too
Bad point - who wants to put on make-up when they are sitting in the house on the PC.


During our session the trainer called his friend who had recently moved to New Zealand to show us how little lagging there was and how clear the picture from New Zealand could be, unfortunately it was about 11:00pm and his wife came in to see what he was doing. She was wearing fluffy dressing gown and slippers, no make-up and had her hair scraped back. Of course she was in full shot of the camera and the trainer thoughtfully rotated the camera to show her 30 people watching her. She called hubby and our Trainer for everything while running from the room while we collapsed in fits of laughter.

Messenger Chat -

Add a little spice to your online chatting by letting yourself be seen by others - this isn't recommended for everyone obviously only really available for those who rate a 5 or more out of 10.


- - Taking Pictures\Video - -

Click on the Trust camera software to start the livefeed from the camera. This will be confirmed by a little blue light under the lens, this light is a great reminder not to pick your nose or do anything else untoward while it shows. The software shows on screen with the livefeed from the camera appearing in a box.

Or you can click the button on top of the camera it automatically starts the photo\video capture software, a second click will take a still photo.

The camera was easy to focus simply play with the little lens at the front until you are happy with the result

- - Quality - -

How to describe the quality of the video in laymans terms. Good enough to take an "ahhhhem" risque video of yourselves but not of a decent enough quality to sell it as the new Debbie does Doncaster, and no I haven't tried this.

Being honest the picture is a little bit grainy but certainly watchable if you have worked on the focus and very good for the price of the camera.

Ideal for

Skype,
Video messaging
Online Dating
Messaging Services
Showing symptoms to a Doc.
Feeling closer to overseas relatives

Technical specification - for those technical people

USB Webcam 640 x 480 352*288 resolution interpolated
Max video speed 30 frames per second
System requirement - Pentium 200MHz CPU
32 MB system memory, 100MB free harddrive space
Windows 98 SE (or newer)


There is no built in microphone on this web cam, but I have found that you are better off with a separate mic for clarity anyway.

I mainly use this with Microsoft Office Communicator software and it works really well.

Summary: At this price if you haven't already got one - get one.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Picture quality:
Variety of features: