Tag: Tadpole

Revisión de Opal Tadpole: la cámara web perfecta para MacBooks más antiguas

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date October 10, 2024
No Comments on Revisión de Opal Tadpole: la cámara web perfecta para MacBooks más antiguas

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Opal Tadpole funciona como reemplazo de la cámara web de su computadora portátil o tableta. Conecte el dispositivo bien diseñado a una MacBook vieja y se verá aún mejor en las videollamadas.

Probé uno con varias computadoras para ver qué tan bien le va al Tadpole en el uso en el mundo real y si podría ser un buen regalo en esta temporada navideña.

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Revisión del ópalo renacuajo

Las computadoras Apple duran años. Luego más años. Simplemente siempre se quedan. Pero si bien un procesador antiguo puede ser lo suficientemente rápido como para seguir siendo útil, las cámaras web antiguas suelen ser malas.

Aquí es donde Opal Tadpole salva el día. Es una óptica de alta calidad que puede mejorar lo que sus compañeros de trabajo y familiares ven y escuchan en videoconferencias/chats.

Las características notables incluyen un clip fácil de usar, un sensor de imagen sin espejo Sony y un botón de silencio. Además de soportar tanto Mac como Windows.

Tabla de contenido:

Dispositivos de alta calidad

Clip de ópalo de renacuajo — El clip Tadpole facilita la conexión a su MacBook.
Foto: Ed Hardy/Cult Mac

Claramente, el objetivo del diseño de Opal era “pequeño”. La unidad principal de la cámara web mide sólo 1,4 pulgadas x 1,5 pulgadas y todo pesa sólo 1,6 onzas. Si quieres llevarlo contigo, está listo para funcionar.

A pesar de su pequeño tamaño, hay espacio para un clip incorporado: conectar el Tadpole a su MacBook o iPad es tan sencillo como puede ser. Por supuesto, no se requiere ninguna instalación externa. La desventaja es que el clip es demasiado pequeño para montarlo en un iMac o un monitor externo. Cualquier cosa que tenga un grosor superior a un cuarto de pulgada no durará. Al menos está hecho de silicona para que no raye tu computadora.

El cable tejido mide 18 pulgadas de largo. Digo “efectivo” porque el cordón del cable ayuda a mantenerlo enrollado al sostener la cámara web, pero también evita que el cable se enderece por completo. Sin embargo, es lo suficientemente largo como para llegar desde la parte superior de la MacBook hasta el puerto USB-C.

Un parasol de goma protege tu delicada cámara si estás acostumbrado a guardarla en el bolso.

Las opciones de color negro o marrón oscuro le permiten elegir el aspecto del accesorio que probablemente mantendrá en su computadora.

Botón de silencio oculto

El Opal Tadpole tiene un botón de silencio, pero no lo busques. Es una parte sensible al tacto del conector USB-C, que es un diseño inteligente. Simplemente toque el conector para silenciarse. Se enciende una luz roja para indicar que se ha producido el cambio.

Webcam Mac con una conexión muy sencilla

Usar Tadpole con una MacBook es casi tan simple como enchufarlo. Sí, deberías hacerlo, pero solo queda un paso más: pídele a tu aplicación de videoconferencia que cambie de la cámara incorporada a la cámara externa.

Úselo con iPad Él es Fácilmente conectado a la electricidad. Con la cámara web conectada al puerto USB-C de la tableta, simplemente abra la aplicación de video chat. Ya terminaste: la cámara del iPad está desactivada en favor de la cámara Opal.

El rendimiento de Opal Tadpole con una MacBook

Opal Tadpole frente a la cámara web MacBook Pro 2020 — Cámara web MacBook Pro 2020 (izquierda) versus Opal Tadpole (derecha).
Foto: Ed Hardy/Cult Mac

El Opal está diseñado con una cámara de 48 megapíxeles, aunque la resolución se ha reducido a 1080p. Pero estas especificaciones no cuentan toda la historia. Ni por asomo.

Probé el Tadpole usando una MacBook Pro de cinco años. Incluye una cámara de 720p y consulte las imágenes comparativas de arriba para ver la diferencia en calidad. el Versión de tamaño completo Da una mejor apariencia.

La cara de la izquierda es una captura de pantalla de FaceTime usando la cámara incorporada del MacBook. Elegí intencionalmente condiciones de iluminación deficientes porque cualquier buena cámara web funciona bien con una iluminación ideal.

Ahora mire el rostro de la derecha que fue capturado un momento después en las mismas circunstancias difíciles. Observe cuánto más brillante es. Y es mucho más claro. Esto es lo que quieres cuando hablas con tu abuela o tu jefe.

La calidad del vídeo se debe en gran medida al sensor Sony IMX582 RS con una lente de cristal de seis elementos f/1.8.

Sin embargo, realicé estas pruebas con una MacBook Pro más antigua de la era Intel y no con un modelo más nuevo porque no verá tanta diferencia con una computadora portátil Apple más nueva. Aquellos con una MacBook nueva pueden estar mejor usando la cámara web incorporada.

O con un iPad

Cámara web Opal Tadpole Mac con cable USB-C — Opal ha hecho que esta cámara web para Mac/Windows sea extremadamente portátil.
Foto: Ed Hardy/Cult Mac

El Opal Tadpole se puede utilizar fácilmente con un iPad equipado con un puerto USB-C. Pero es posible que no quieras hacerlo.

Apple se da cuenta de que uno de los usos principales de las tabletas son las videollamadas y está poniendo mucho esfuerzo en las cámaras web integradas del iPad. El resultado: mi iPad Pro 2022 ofrece videos FaceTime notablemente mejores que el TapPole.

¿Micrófono direccional? No.

El objetivo de diseño de Opal con el Tadpole era crear un micrófono que solo captara el sonido directamente frente a él. “Nuestro micrófono direccional VisiMic captura sólo lo que la cámara puede ver”, afirma el fabricante de accesorios.

Esa no fue mi experiencia en la prueba. Las personas con las que hablé dijeron que también podían oírme cuando estaba detrás y delante de la cámara.

Si necesita realizar videoconferencias en una zona ruidosa, lo mejor será usar un par de estas gafas Auriculares AirPods con aislamiento de sonido. O cambiar a Un iPad puede hacer el mismo truco. Pero tal vez la tecnología de Apple me haya mimado. Estoy tan acostumbrado al aislamiento que me cuesta aceptar algo menos.

Pensamientos finales sobre el renacuajo de ópalo

Los ópalos renacuajo son lo suficientemente pequeños como para ser fáciles de transportar. — Los primeros planos no muestran bien esto: lo pequeño que es Opal Tadpole.
Foto: Ed Hardy/Cult Mac

Los usuarios mayores de MacBook tienen una manera fácil y relativamente económica de actualizar su cámara web: Tadpole. Es una gran combinación de calidad, precio y portabilidad.

★★★★☆

Pero Tadpole no puede mejorar la cámara web incorporada en una MacBook o iPad más nueva. Y no puedes conectarlo fácilmente a un iMac.

Precios

El ópalo renacuajo cuesta 149 dólares. Ese es el precio típico de una cámara web de gama media como ésta.

Dónde comprar: Amazonas

Si conoces a alguien que tenga una MacBook vieja, ¡este sería un gran regalo!

Ópalo proporcionado Culto a Mac Con la unidad de revisión de este artículo. Ver Nuestra política de reseñasy comprobar Reseñas más detalladas de artículos relacionados con Apple.

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Tags antiguas, cámara, MacBooks, más, Opal, para, perfecta, Revisión, Tadpole, Web

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Opal Tadpole webcam: A gorgeous design with a Sony mirrorless camera

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date May 1, 2024
No Comments on Opal Tadpole webcam: A gorgeous design with a Sony mirrorless camera

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Opal Tadpole webcam: Two-minute review

The Opal Tadpole is an incredibly capable webcam that is well-engineered and beautifully designed. The video quality is respectable, but my lasting impression of the Tadpole was not to do with the sensor’s capabilities but rather that it just felt really good to use. All of this is due to the thoughtful and well-implemented design, as well as the minimalist feature set. This should come as no surprise, considering the Opal co-team has history with Google, Uber, and Jump.

The Tadpole, as the name suggests, is small. At only 3.5 x 4.5 cm, the unit itself sits neatly and unobtrusively at the top of any laptop screen. When I first started using it, a few people initially asked me what on earth it was, but after a while, the device just faded into the background. So, if you’re after one of the tiniest webcams on the market at the moment, then your search is over.

The small size results in an overall weight of less than 50 grams, so there’s no chance of any unnecessary strain being applied to your screen hinge. This also makes it a dream to transport around, but more on that later.

Rather than a magnetic mount, the Opal team has opted for an adjustable clip. This means that the whole unit is either on or off, rather than having a permanently located mount. I personally prefer this implementation, because there is no chance of me losing any individual parts and thereby rendering the whole piece of kit useless.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

The range of the clip is 35 degrees, which was more than adequate for my Macbook Pro and is indeed perfect for almost all laptops. One of the concerns I initially had was about damaging my laptop. I didn’t want to scratch my metal back or crack the glass of the screen. I therefore gave the clip a good look before applying it to my laptop. After seeing that the clip was primarily made of silicone rubber, I proceeded to mount it. In reality, I needn’t have been concerned. The rubber ensures that the laptop is well protected.

The build quality is high, with a painted aluminum front and an anodized aluminum back. Despite not being the most expensive webcam on the market, the Tadpole certainly feels as premium as the best. Chemically strengthened glass will help with longevity although, for obvious reasons, I didn’t test how robust the glass was.

The cable, which measures 55cm in length and 3.7mm in diameter, is woven for greater durability. I love a woven cable, so that’s a win for me. It’s just the right length for attaching to a laptop, and thanks to the magnetic end, it can be looped around your wrist as you move between meetings. Even though I appreciate the design feature, I didn’t find much use for this type of portability.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

Moving away from the design and build quality, I’m sure you’re interested in knowing about the camera itself. Generally, it’s pretty good, although not as good as the built-in webcam on my MacBook Pro 2023. As a result, I’ll inevitably stick with that, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many people who would benefit from this type of webcam – after all, many laptops have sub-par 720p webcams or no webcam whatsoever.

The Sony IMX582 RS sensor does a fantastic job of producing clean video with minimal noise, even in the shadows. Color replication is strong, with vibrant colors chosen over and above a flat profile. The image therefore pops nicely, which is exactly what you want when appearing in front of others at a meeting or when video-calling your parents.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

The f/1.8 lens is made up of six elements and is able to let in a significant amount of light, something that is particularly noticeable when using it in low light. Unfortunately, the dynamic range that is supported by the lens and its sensor is not quite wide enough. It was a real shame that during my meetings I had to put up with bright backgrounds, such as windows, that were almost completely blown out. It’s understandable that cameras like this would struggle here, but the Tadpole struggled more than I would have liked to see.

In terms of resolution, the 48 MP image is binned to 1080p, which is more than enough for most laptops. For most people, there is little point in spending more on a 4K webcam when it will make almost no difference to the visual experience – that territory is more for professional online content creators.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

As important, if not more so, is the quality of the audio. One of the biggest challenges to providing good audio from a webcam is that they’re often omnidirectional and therefore pick up way too much background noise. Some webcams overcome this by using noise filtering, but Opal has landed on a completely different solution.

By using a directional microphone, the Tadpole captures only what is directly in front of the camera. The solution, in essence, creates a tunnel through which sound is funneled. As a result, any sound that doesn’t travel down this tunnel isn’t heard. It’s a genius little idea and puts the results in the hands of engineering rather than leaving it to programmers to work out.

This directional microphone does a pretty good job, with almost all low-to-medium level background noise removed. It didn’t work entirely in a crowded room but was certainly better than omnidirectional alternatives.

Another audio feature is the ability to mute calls with a single tap of the integrated capacitive button on the USB-C cable. This is a nice little feature to have, though I certainly wouldn’t buy the webcam because of it.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

One of the biggest selling points of the Tadpole is its portability. It is small, lightweight, and packs neatly into a purpose-made carry case that looks like a yoyo. The case is built well and allows the cable to neatly protrude out the side, doubling up as a loop for carrying. Simply put, this is one of the best carry cases for a webcam that I’ve ever seen. The magnetic clip makes it quick and easy to take in and out, with just enough strength to ensure it doesn’t accidentally fall out.

The Opal Tadpole is one of the best options in the mid-range webcam space. It delivers better quality than the super-budget alternatives but lacks additional features that are seen in the more expensive and premium webcams. Video quality is more than good enough for most situations, although it does sometimes struggle to deal with bright light sources. The directional mic is a nice feature that does a good job of cutting out a reasonable amount of background noise. Overall, the Tadpole is a very capable webcam.

Opal Tadpole webcam: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $129 (about £105 / AU$200)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? US with worldwide shipping

At $129 (about £105 / AU$200), the Opal Tadpole sits in the middle between the super-budget Logitech HD Webcam C310 and the eye-wateringly pricy Elgato Facecam Pro. The former lacks good image quality and feels a bit cheap in the hand, whereas the latter delivers amazing 4K video at 60 fps – for a high price.

If you want to compare like for like in terms of price, then the Tadpole is only a little more expensive than the Logitech C920, which wins the status for ‘best overall’ webcam in our best webcams buying guide – though it lacks the unparalleled portability of the Tadpole.

For the asking price here, you get decent video quality and some nice features, including single-tap muting. If you’re after something a little better than the cheapest options on the market, then the Opal Tadpole is a respectable choice.

The Opal Tadpole ships worldwide, with associated shipping costs. For the UK, that is set at an additional $8. The yo-yo case also costs an additional $19, but it’s worth the price in my opinion.

Opal Tadpole webcam: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

	Opal Tadpole
Price:	$129 (about £105 / AU$200)
Supported resolutions:	1080p
Sensor:	Sony IMX582 RS sensor
Lens:	Not specified
Focus range:	10 cm to ∞
Aperture:	f/1.8
Focal length:	Not specified

Should you buy the Opal Tadpole webcam?

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

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Opal Tadpole webcam report card
Value	The Opal Tadpole is competitively priced as a mid-range webcam. Cheaper alternatives don’t have the same build quality whereas more expensive webcams have more features.	4 / 5
Design	With a design that not only looks great but is well engineered, the Tadpole will be an instant hit for anyone who gets their hands on one.	4.5 / 5
Performance	Setting the webcam up was an absolute doddle; simply plugging it in and choosing it from my list of webcams. Video quality could have been better but still very reasonable.	4 / 5
Avarage rating	I would have liked to have seen better handling of highlights but all in this is a very nice web cam at a very reasonable price.	4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Opal Tadpole webcam: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

	Opal Tadpole	Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra	Obsbot Tiny 2
Price:	$129	$299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499.95	$329 / £269 / AU$519
Supported resolutions:	1080p	4K 30FPS / 1440P 30FPS / 1080p @ 60/30/24FPS / 720P @ 60/30 FPS	4000 x 3000 / 4K @ 30fps, 1440p / 1080p @ 60fps
Sensor:	Sony IMX582 RS sensor	1/1.2” Sony Starvis CMOS sensor	1/1.5” CMOS
Lens:	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
Focus range:	10 cm to ∞	about 5in to ∞	10cm to ∞
Aperture:	f/1.8	f/1.7	f/1.9
Focal length:	Not specified	8.5mm	26mm (equivalent)

How I tested the Opal Tadpole webcam

I used the webcam for my video calls
I tested its general performance as well as its special features
I made sure to test it under a variety of lighting conditions

As soon as it came through the door, I was keen to get the Opal Tadpol webcam out of the box and hooked onto my laptop. Everything about the design and functionality oozes quality, so I wanted to get it setup as soon as I could.

After a few minutes of getting it up and running, I spent time in video calls to test it’s many features. I also made sure to give it a good run around in different lighting conditions, including bright and low-lit rooms.

With a few neat features, I also checked those out so I could determine the degree to which I would use them on a regular basis. I also used the carry case to help me transport the webcam around.

Opal minimalist Tadpole web camera designed for laptops $175

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date November 16, 2023
No Comments on Opal minimalist Tadpole web camera designed for laptops $175

Opal minimalist Tadpole web camera

Opal Camera has this week introduced its new minimalist web camera in the form of the Tadpole. Specifically designed to be the world’s smallest webcam. This innovative device is not only ultra-portable but also offers superior image quality, making it a fantastic addition to the webcam market.

One of the remarkable features of Tadpole is its ultra-portability. This device is one-eighth the size of an average webcam, a feat that does not compromise its performance. Despite its compact size, Tadpole ensures top-notch image quality, making it ideal for various environments, including homes, coffee shops, and hotels. The webcam’s compact size and weight make it easy to attach to laptops, ensuring seamless integration into any workspace.

Opal Tadpole web camera

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Tadpole’s design also incorporates the first directional mic in a webcam, a feature that significantly enhances its audio capabilities. This directional microphone, known as the VisiMic, was developed in partnership with Soundskrit. It captures only the audio within the camera’s field of view, thereby reducing background noise and ensuring clear audio during video calls. This feature is further enhanced by AI noise isolation, which uses artificial intelligence to focus on the human voice and filter out unwanted sounds. This makes Tadpole an ideal tool for modern, flexible work environments, where background noise can often be a challenge.

Tadpole webcam

Another unique feature of Tadpole is the tap-to-mute functionality. The device has a capacitive touch sensor built into the USB-C plug, allowing users to mute and unmute the microphone with a single tap. This patent-pending technology provides users with a quick and easy way to control their audio during video calls.

When it comes to image quality, Tadpole does not disappoint. The device offers DSLR-quality video calling, thanks to a new machine learning ISP system and a 4K, 48MP, Sony IMX582 sensor. This ensures that users enjoy high-quality video calls, regardless of their location.

Compatibility is another strong point for Tadpole. The webcam is compatible with both Mac and PC, making it a versatile choice for users with different operating systems. Additionally, the webcam is easy to use, with a clip that attaches directly to any laptop display and a built-in USB-C 2.0 cable for quick setup.

As for availability and pricing, Tadpole is now available for purchase at $175 on the Opal Camera Inc. website. It will soon be available on Amazon as well, giving potential users more purchasing options.

The launch of Tadpole, the world’s smallest webcam by Opal Camera Inc., is a significant milestone in the tech industry. With its ultra-portability, top-notch image quality, and innovative features like the first directional mic in a webcam with AI noise isolation and tap-to-mute functionality, Tadpole is set to redefine the standards of webcams. Its compatibility with both Mac and PC, combined with its DSLR-quality video calling, makes it a worthy investment for those seeking to enhance their video calling experience.

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Tags camera, designed, laptops, minimalist, Opal, Tadpole, Web