Minoru 3D webcam February 2009

Minoru 3D webcam

The Minoru 3D webcam lets you video-message friends, take photos and record video – all in 3D! Minoru is Japanese for ‘reality’, and though the images it captures are far from real life they do have depth, just not in a profound sense.

If you've ever donned a pair of blue and red lens spectacles to decipher codes on cereal boxes or watch a 3D movie, you'll know exactly what to expect. Two cameras, positioned like eyes in the Minoru webcam’s head are focussed individually. The two images are then aligned to produce a 3D image when viewed through the 3D glasses.

Setting up is simple. The versatile base means you can perch it on top of a screen or stand it on your desk – it’s fairly stable once in position, too. The head moves from side to side and up and down, so it’s easy to position your face in the frame. The instruction sheet consists of a few diagrams, but if you're not a fan of the diagrammatical ‘flat-pack furniture’ style of manuals, there’s also a written guide on the CD.

For the best results you should be about a metre away from the cameras as you focus them, but you'll probably find your arms ardent that long. It’s possible to focus and align the cameras at closer range without enlisting the help of a friend, but it’s not ideal. Perfecting the set-up will probably take a few tries, but if you're not too fussy you can have the whole thing unpacked and running in about 15 minutes.

Upload 3D video to YouTube

The Minoru also has 2D and picture-in-picture modes, and it’s easy to flick between modes during online calls. You can also use it to take 2D and 3D photos and record video (with sound), which you can save and upload onto sites such as YouTube.

In 2D mode it’s very much like any other webcam. Focus and colour look reasonable enough and the microphone is sufficient. Picture-in-picture is a 2D view which allows you to show your friends a close-up of your swanky new mobile in the larger screen while keeping your face in full view on the smaller one so they wont miss your self-satisfied smile.

In 3D mode the difference between foreground and background is evident, and gestures towards the camera really work the 3D aspect to effect – reaching forward makes your hands jump out of the screen. That said, moving images blur a little, dramatically lessening the 3D effect. It only really works effectively if you move slowly, or for still 3D images.

Colour is noticeably affected on the 3D setting due to the blue and red image layers and the coloured lenses in the glasses. Initially it feels a bit weird looking at the screen through blue and red plastic, but playing with the images soon distracts you.

On screen, smaller image sizes produce better 3D images – quality is lost when you use the full-screen view. Photo and video recording would also benefit from a self-timer – you have to click the mouse to snap a photo.

Compatibility and minimum system requirements

We tried the Minoru webcam with Skype. It’s also compatible with the likes of Windows Live Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and OoVoo. The minimum system requirements are Windows XP or Vista, a USB 2.0 port, 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512 RAM and 100MB hard disk space.

At £50 it’s a little more expensive than many webcams, but it wont break the bank. There’s no denying the additional 3D aspect is a gimmick, but it’s quite good fun, and if (or when) the novelty wears off it’s still a competent 2D webcam.

Unfortunately, for others to appreciate the 3D imagery you're putting out there, they need to be wearing 3D glasses – five pairs are provided in the box. The other downside is that if everyone starts video calling in 3D you'll have to get used to seeing your distant friends and relatives wearing silly cardboard specs.

The device can be bought directly from Minoru's website.

Pros: Three modes, takes video and still images, more fun than looking at flat faces

Cons: 3D video doesn't work if your computer doesn't meet the minimum system requirements, moving 3D images could be better, you will look silly wearing the specs

Check out our webcam report for other webcam reviews, and for help setting up a webcam, visit our webcam advice pages.