Playstation 3 Eye Webcam Review

This past weekend I had no choice but to pick up a Playstation 3 Eye Webcam. Honestly I would have done without it, but my newest game Little Big Planet called for it, and without it I couldn't see what the game fully had to offer. So naturally it was off to Walmart I go. $34.99 later, I had my Playstation Eye.

The Eye bothered me from the get go, with it's lack of directions on how to use it. Basically they threw it in a plastic package, and forgot to add the damn directions.

Out of the box, I had my PS3 Eye Webcam which was attached to a USB cord. Without any guidance on what to do, I simply plugged it into an available USB port on my console, and hoped for the best.

Unfortunately it didn't work, seeing that I didn't adjust the system accessories to recognize the new device. Once I twiddled around with the accessory settings to recognize the USB Camera, the Playstation 3 Eye finally came to life.

There was one set of directions on the box though, and that stated to go onto the playstation network store to download the free Eye software.

Once I had the software uploaded into my console, I then could get the feel of this Playstation Eye Web camera. I was able to take snapshots, record video, and mess around with my photos using this program. It was cool for about 5 seconds, till I got bored, and realized my video recording would only go as far as the USB could reach, which is about 3 feet or so.

Most people have their consoles in their bedroom or living room. If you are not in the market for making porn, or taping yourself being a lazy couch potato, the video feature is pretty damn useless.

However, the camera mode is pretty cool, especially when in use with certain games where you can customize things with your very own photo. Whether or not that is worth $35.00 though is up to you.

If the video and snapshots don't impress you, than I have a feeling the microphone will. The Playstation 3 Eye Webcam is basically the best alternative to a headset I have ever come across. I absolutely hated my headset I owned previously and honestly wished I knew about the Eye before buying a headset, because the sound is superb.

When playing online I am clearly able to hear all of the other players without issue. They are also able to hear me loud and clear even when I am 4-5 feet away from the Eye. The freedom of playing games without a headset is well worth the price.

What I love about the PS3 Eye Camera is not only the fact that it works great as a microphone, but it does in fact take some really great photo shots, and DVD quality video (640x480 resolution) even in low lit rooms. I wouldn't go comparing it to a newly released digital camera's photo quality, but the Playstation 3 Eye Webcam takes some really decent shots, unfortunately without editing, your background will always be your bedroom, or your couch. Haha! It would have been genius of them to have allowed this Eye to be more mobile, possibly by having it run on batteries in order to take shots outside of bedroom or living room.

Issue:
 
The one issue I find with the PS3 Eye is that it's base is a little large, and most gamers play games on slim flat screen HDTV's, the eye's base is a little too clunky to place it on top of your TV without it slipping off. The base also does not come with any sticky tape to keep it in place, so that was pretty annoying. You can but sticky tape, but to be honest who has 2 sided sticky tape lying around? Not many.

It sucks that you have to go back out to the store to pick up this 2 sided tape, because honestly you are probably going to want some.

Personally I don't see anyone who would unplug it and tote it around with them.

Overall:
 
For the $34.99 I spent on it, I find that it is well worth it. It works marvelous as a headset free microphone, and works pretty dang good as a photo/video camera.