Hercules' $60 Dualpix HD720p Brings 720p To The Webcam

Generally speaking, webcams aren't all that interesting in and of themselves. In fact, most notebooks ship with some sort of lackluster webcam built right in, and considering that video calling still hasn't gone mainstream, most folks sort of ignore the thing. Microsoft has developed quite a few nice ones for those really into keeping that face-to-face bond across seas and county lines, but now it's the little-known Hercules joining the fray.

According to the company, its Dualpix HD720p is ushering in a "new era" of mini webcams, and considering that it captures your lovely face in high-def, we'd have to argue. Rather than feeding in footage at the standard VGA resolution, this device captures at 720p, and it also boasts the capability of rotating on two axes for the best angle. At the beginning of each chat session, the device will auto rotate the angle and detect your position, because we know you don't want to chat with your friend with only half of your face showing. Best of all, the webcam is priced at just $59.99, and for one that logs in 720p, that really isn't bad. The full release and specifications list is below, and those looking to buy in will have to wait until next month when it appears at Best Buy, NewEgg, Dell, Amazon and Walmart.

Hercules Unveils New Era of Mini Webcams Featuring Ultra-Mobility and High Definition

Hercules Dualpix HD720p for Notebooks Offers High Definition Resolution with Multiple Positioning Options

NEW YORK, NY – (August 27, 2009) - Hercules, a specialist in IT devices including multimedia speaker sets, webcams, DJing solutions and consumer-friendly WiFi products, debuts a new era of mini webcams for notebooks with the Hercules Dualpix HD720p. This ultra-mobile high definition webcam solution brings 720p of high definition resolution to the mobile user generation. Whether serving in the military, a student studying abroad or a parent away from home, this new breed of webcam will help you stay connected starting in early September 2009 for the SRP $59.99 at Buy.com, NewEgg.com, Dell.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

The Hercules Dualpix HD720p has the capability of rotating on two axes for the best angle, capturing pictures and angles unachievable by earlier models of webcams. No matter how far away from home you are, with the wide-angle auto focus lens, exceptional image quality even in low-light conditions and a built-in microphone, you will feel like you are home with your loved one. At the start of each chat session the Dualpix HD720p will automatically rotate the picture angle and detect your position, further angle adjustment during the chat session can be achieved by using the software.


Specifically designed for laptop PC’s,  the Dualpix HD720p features a new, highly secure attachment system that allows you to travel safely and move your computer around as needed without the webcam coming loose. The two rotational axes allow vertical or horizontal placement on the top or the sides of the screen and the wide-angle lens shows the room behind for the perfect video capture. It also features the Hercules Xtra Controller Pro software suite which enables users to share photos, videos and live music tracks during the conversation, thus eliminating the need to send these files prior to the virtual meeting.

Product Specifications Include:
•    1 megapixel CMOS sensor (1280 x800 pixels) for perfect image quality, even in low-light conditions
•    5 Megapixels photo resolution (interpolated mode)
•    HD720p (1280x720pixels) video resolution with up to 30 frames per second for perfect flowing 16/9 HD videos, ensuring the most realistic images ever
•    Wide angle autofocus lens with 3x zoom
•    High-quality built-in microphone
•    USB 2.0 Video Class (UVC) interface for high-speed transfers and ultra-simple driver free installation
•    Compatible with videoconferencing applications including Windows Live™ Messenger and MSN® Messenger Skype®, Aol Instant Messanger® and Yahoo!® Messenger
•    Compatible with Windows® XP, Vista 32/64 bit and Windows® 7
•    Dimensions: 28 x 55.4 x 62mm

Discover the complete Hercules webcam range at www.hercules.com