Trust 380 USB 2.0 SpaceC@m

Cheap digital cameras have all but done away with the need for dedicated webcams, so manufacturers seem to be looking for ways to make them more appealing again. Despite being unusually small and squat for a webcam, the Trust 380 USB 2.0 SpaceC@m doesn't seem to be anything special but the trick up its sleeve is its USB 2 connection.

Unfortunately, this trick turns out to be more Tommy Cooper than David Blaine, since all that the speedy USB2 connection bestows is a higher frame rate - less jerky videos, in other words. In itself, this could be quite handy but the SpaceC@m's image quality is too poor to do it justice.

The maximum resolution of 640 x 480 is adequate but the image is grainy and washed out even in daylight, and video footage has a distracting flicker.

Finally, the camera doesn't record audio and comes with only 1.5m of cable, which tethers it too closely to a PC to be really useful.

At £50, the SpaceC@m is reasonable value and as a bonus you get some simple video-editing software thrown in too.

Contact: Trust 0845 609 0036
www.trust.com