The Frugal Review: Philips SPC 1300NC Webcam

Web cams aren’t usually known for their astonishing clarity, great frame rates, or their high definition images. They tend to be muddy, sub-par imaging devices used to transmit a reasonably low-bandwidth intensive image to the net. When you find a web cam that boasts 90 frames per second, two megapixel video and six megapixel still images, you tend to take notice. This is the case for the Philips 1300NC. This web cam advertises all of the previously mentioned features and comes with a hefty price tag of around eighty US dollars.

I decided to purchase one for the purpose of using it on Matt Ryan TV as well as another tech video podcast we have been working on. My initial reaction was pleasant, finding the web cam could live up to all the promise given on the packaging. It was fast, responsive, and the software wasn’t half bad.

To my disappointment, however, I discovered a half dozen “hot pixels” strewn across the image. Blue dots lit up like stars, screaming for attention. This is a rather unpleasant setback, considering how many features on the camera were so well implemented.

I took the camera back and got a replacement, hoping that the original was a fluke. Sadly, the replacement had the same unfortunate problem. Hot pixels all across the image that would not go away even with a switch of systems.

Overall the web cam was acceptable, having more features and better frame rates than others in its price range. However, the problems with the sensor dampens the wow factor considerably. It would work fine for most users, however you may be better served by a less costly Logitech or Microsoft product.