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- A sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition
- Faster frame rate for improved tracking, responsiveness and smoothness
- Two position zoom lens for close-up and full body options
- Free EyeCreate editing software, which allows users to save, edit and add cool visual effects to photos, video and audio clips
- 4 channel audio input – 16-bits/channel, 48kHz, SNR 90db
Product Description
Playstation Eye is an essential accessory for voice, video chat and online gaming that will enable gamers to enjoy their Playstation 3 (PS3) experiences like never before.Designed specifically for PS3 and featuring huge advances in USB camera and microphone technology, Playstation Eye is set to revolutionize the experience of online communication on the Playstation Network. Expanding on the market-leading heritage of the EyeToy USB Camera for PlayStation 2, the soph… More >>
02/09/2010 at 8:17 pm
I purchased the Eye Camera seperate from the Eye of Judgement game becasue I really don’t play card games. The reason I purchased the camera was so that I could use it with my 5 yr. old who has recently taken an interest in animation. With the free download available on the PSN, you are able to leverage this clever device to do all sorts of fun and unique things. But first, I’ll address the camera from a hardware perspective:
It’s well built, and sturdy looking. The camera pivots from left to right on it’s base, but cannot be adjusted to look up or down. The camera auto-focuses, and seems to do a nice job of it. The lens does twist to provide a “zoom” view of the subject as well. Perhaps the thing I was most impressed with is the sound quality it is able to capture. I recorded a few demo videos to test the functionality, and found that you can easily sit 10 feet from the camera and talk in very normal tones and the camera picks it all up beautifully. The sound is rich and full. I have not had the chance to video chat with it yet, but from what I have seen, it will be nice and easy. The 360 offers a similar product, but the image quality and frame rates are not quite as good, and you are required to wear a headset to transmit voice and pick up sound. Overall, I am pleased with it from a hardware aspect, with he only real downsides being the fact that you cannot pivot the lens up or down.
No software comes with the camera. Instead, you must grab it from the Playstation Store on the PSN. It is a free download, and takes up very little space. The software itself is easy, but does have a small learning curve due to the fact that it does not come with much in the way of detailed instructions. However, anyone with any technological saavy will be up and running in no time. Capturing video is easy and fun. If you are expecting fancy editing software, you’ll be dissapointed here, but that isn’t the point. The ability to save your videos to the PS3 HD is great, and the fact that they can be transferred to a PC (via a USB storage device) is really cool–especially considering that you can then turn around and email them to family/friends or post them on YouTube. The software offers several effects including various colors filters and distortion modes, as well as the ability to do stop motion and time lapse. The latter two effects are the main reasons I purchased the camera, and I could not be more pleased with how they work. For time lapse, you can set the cam to snap a photo every 5, 10, or 30 seconds, and simply leave the camera untouched for hours on end, simply to return and view the results later. I have left the camera on–pointing out a window–overnight to watch the sunrise. What a neat option! The stop-motion animation function is unbelievably simple. You snap several photos in succession, and then the software combines them into a single video file. You can fit up to 100 frames into each scene, and then the various scenes can be combined to form one long stop-motion movie. For adults out there that are maybe having trouble finding fun things to do with their kids and are intimidated by today’s complex video games, I can tell you firsthand that this is a breath of fresh air, and a great way to to intereact with the young ones.
The overall image quality is pretty good. One thing I do not like about the software, is that if you tweak it for specific lighting array, you aren’t able to save those settings, which means you need to change them each time you begin using the camera again. There really isn’t any excuse for this, but know that changing these settings probably takes less than 30 seconds.
Great product overall. Mind you, this isn’t a hi-def camera, but it gives you the tools to do things on a console that have never been done before. In the very near future, there will be additional software released for the camera via the PSN Store. One that intrigues me is an aquarium simulator that looks eerily realistic. The fish react to movement on the camera, which sounds like a great thing to have on the background if you are having people over. All in all, I am pleased with this product and I hightly reccomend it.
Rating: 5 / 5
02/09/2010 at 8:37 pm
I can’t get the name Eye Toy out of my head. The familiar camera for the PS2 now has a very new and classy look on the PS3. Say hello to the mature Playstation Eye. If you had a Playstation Eye for the Playstation 2 you are probably aware of the interactivity that was available. Now with the newest edition Eye that is taken up one level to a whole new dimension.
Getting my hands on this has been a few weeks in coming. Deciding on whether I wanted to purchase it with a game is what kept me. In reality I didn’t need a card game so I purchased this for the measely sum of $40 and now I have this beautiful contraption. Once you open the package there is not much to it. Connect the 6 foot usb cord to the PS3 and go to device settings and make sure your PS3 is aware it has a camera. No installation here which makes life that much easier.
If you have access to the Playstation Network you can download the Eye Create software for free. A rather small and unassuming file packed with punch. I really didn’t expect much from a free program but I was in for a big surprise. The program is actually an editing program and a very simple but very good one at that. The program allows for capturing video, sound, and pics. You can then edit your masterpiece to create a decent home movie. I am still unaware as to whether I can upload the videos onto Youtube or mail them to others on my friend list. This is a great little bonus program to owning the Eye.
As of now there are a couple mini games available at a low price on the PSN. And of course they are interactive with the Eye. The first game is actually an aquarium. I don’t know as much for a game as an interactive screen saver that would be nice when your entertaining. The camera captures movement and gives your slight reflection as if looking into aquarium glass. You can move your arms around to spook the fish and then you can act like your dropping your hand in the water to see the slight ripple. Pretty cool little trick.
The other game is kind of silly but the kids will love it. The object is to save these little mindless creatures. By using your hands to move them to safety. The game starts off rather easy and gets more complex. Most adults may get bored but I can see how a child would have a lot of fun with the interaction.
Of course this is just the beginning of numerous interactive games that will be available for many months on the PSN. No word as to whether they will offer these games in a collection on the disc. The first major game to utilize the Eye will be Sing Star. It will allow you to show off your singing skills to others.
Now I have just mentioned a few of the advantages of the Eye and of course there is the Eye of Judgement game many people have raved about. But I enjoy this camera for the ability to have video chats. I had a video chat and the picture looked great. Very clear and able to handle low light. What was also impressive was it moved at normal speed thanks to the cameras ability to move 120 frames per second. Having a conversation with someone looks normal and not like they are moving in slow motion. The microphone picks up sound extremely well and the voice conversation comes out great. The PS3 allows for video confrencing with 4 people. For the quality it is one of the best and cheapest video confrencing programs available.
I would have to say the Playstation Eye is a shining feature on the PS3. If you are looking for something that will continue to reward you over the coming months with new games and the ability to actually see the people you talk to the Playstation Eye is where it’s at. Great for kids or adults it’s a great value.
Rating: 5 / 5
02/09/2010 at 9:32 pm
The PS3 Eye is a good addition if you play lots of online games and don’t have a lot of other noise in the house. The camera function is good and I imagine there will be more uses for it in the future as PS3 online expands. That having been said- don’t expect any miracles of quality. It is at best a very mediocre web cam. Highly sensitive to lighting conditions, poor resolution, poor picture/contrast. The microphone seems to be pretty good though. I would buy it again, but make sure your expectations are in line with what you’ll be getting if you choose to buy it.
Rating: 3 / 5
02/09/2010 at 9:42 pm
Its pretty cool. I am glad I paid Amazons price and not full retail. I have tried Aquatopia, Mesmerize and another interactive game that were pretty good too.
Rating: 4 / 5
02/10/2010 at 12:10 am
I used this camera only with a few games on PS3 and have not had an opportunity to chat with anyone. Reason is I don’t know anyone else that has the PS3EYE camera. Supposedly, you can have up to 6 people videoconferencing simultaneously. It is fun, unusual and entertaining to have your image integrated into a game, especially if you have your PS3 console connected to your 46inch 1080P LCD monitor in the living room. Games I’ve tried: Aquatopia – a digital saltwater fish aquarium – the fish will act as if they see you and follow your hand aroud the screen. Your friends will be amazed when they see it. EyeCreate allows you to record, edit and add some circus type filter effects to the video – Not much fun for adults, kids will like this more; Mesmerize is another game that allows you to create a video art like effect on the screen based on your body movements; Trials of Topoq: well if notheg else it is a bit of a mild form of exercise pushing a ball off of roofs of fantasy graphics in the clouds. If you have a PS EYE camera please don’t hesitate to contact me on the Sony Playstation Network to test it my UN is madoda. See ya!
Rating: 3 / 5