Logitech’s Brio 4K webcam briefly held bragging rights as the only 4K webcam manufacturer, but Altia Systems’ Panacast 2 changed that—and then some. Perhaps it could be called a sophisticated “web cam”—Altia calls it a “camera system”—and its $1,000 price tag puts it among businesses and the most dedicated video conferencing users. This is a webcam on steroids
It promises a 180-degree coverage area with automatic panoramic zoom and ultra-clear video. It is also small and elegant looking. Unfortunately, the zoom feature costs extra, as does a very nifty add-on called Whiteboard that automatically centers itself on the whiteboard during, well, a whiteboard presentation. As our Panacast 2 Camera System review will show, this device is high-tech and impressive – but until you get it set up the way you want it, it could set you back around $1,350. For most individuals (and even most companies) this is the type of investment that requires serious consideration.
Small and elegant
At just under an inch tall, 2.4 inches in diameter, 2.9 inches from front to back, and weighing 4.4 ounces, the Panacast 2 is tiny. It is housed in an elegant case made of silver cast aluminum. Inside, you’ll find three integrated high-definition video cameras that work in sync to provide a 180-degree panoramic view of the device.
And what a view it is. In the video itself, although we tried, we found it impossible to distinguish where the three video signals meet. It easily displayed most of the space in a small room, but that’s just the beginning. An important part of Panacast 2—what makes it unusual—is its ability to automatically zoom in and out, based on human activity in the field of view.
Although we tried, we found it impossible to distinguish where the three video signals join.
If one person is in the viewing area, the cameras zoom and center on that person. If another person then enters the camera’s field of view, the Panacast 2 automatically zooms out to include that other person in the frame. As additional people come into the camera’s field of view, it continues to retract, until it literally covers a 180-degree panorama. And when people leave the field of view, Panacast 2 reverses the zooming process, narrowing its perspective.
What really impressed us was how smooth the transitions were, with little to no juddering, juddering, or noticeable compensation for the display change. It just works.
Unfortunately, this feature will cost you an additional $150 (yes, on top of the original $1,000!). Panacast 2 does not come with intelligent zoom enabled by default.
Another unique feature is a $200/year software add-on called Whiteboard. If you buy this, the camera — with the help of a small target attached to a physical whiteboard — is centered on the actual whiteboard, cutting out everyone else in the field of view except the presenter who might be standing in front. When the presenter moves away from the whiteboard or someone else in the field of view speaks, the camera automatically shifts the perspective away from the whiteboard. That’s one smart camera.
Just turn it on
Since the intelligent zoom and whiteboard are activated from inside the camera, no software needs to be installed. Panacast 2 uses Windows default video drivers, and the camera itself works with all popular video conferencing platforms, including Skype, Zoom, Cisco Webex, Google Hangouts, Office 365, Go to Meeting, and Intel Unite, among others.
William Harrel/Digital Trends
William Harrel/Digital Trends
To install it, all you need to do is plug it in via the included USB 3.0 cable. The camera, however, is not powered over the data connection. Instead, you get a second USB cable (with a power jack on one end and a standard USB plug on the other) that you can plug into a USB port on your PC (or Mac) or into the included AC adapter, which of course plugs into any standard power source. We tried both methods and it was good either way.
To 4K, or not to 4K
While the Panacast 2 has some great features, it can’t send 4K video to the other end of your video conference unless that person also has a 4K monitor or TV. Video quality is also affected by internet bandwidth and other quality of service issues, although to a lesser extent today. These may seem obvious, but they are worth remembering. 4K is the least available feature of this camera. However, if you are willing to use it, it looks great.
Without a doubt, the Panacast 2 does as advertised and quite well, which leaves you with a minimum price of $1,150 to contend with.
Panacast 2 is a USB webcam on steroids.
Oh sure, you can get it for just under $1,000, but the Panacast 2 isn’t nearly as impressive without the Intelligent Zoom feature. If you buy this, you’ll want it. Otherwise, what’s the point?
The price of the Panacast 2 automatically makes it an exotic, new product. Most people can’t afford it and don’t need it. But if you do a ton of video conferencing or need a camera that can handle you solo as easily as it can handle a crowd, check out this stylish webcam. Or don’t – because once you do, you might find it hard to go back to a ‘normal’ webcam.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn