Creative has launched a crowdfunding campaign codenamed “Project Watcher”! (Indiegogo page link)
Two months back, I was approached by their Product team to try out the prototype and to seek user feedback. All I was told was that it is a dual webcam over a single USB cable that can be easily controlled with a remote and without the need of any software. I knew that some brands like AverMedia have already made dual webcams, so during the email correspondence, I shared with them that the challenge of “dual webcams” is the ability to adjust angles of both lenses independently.
Lo and behold, when I received the sample, the webcams are in two separate units. Unit “1” is the master while Unit “2” is the slave, connected to “1” via a USB-C cable. Unit “1” is then connected via another USB-C cable to the computer.
The great thing about Project Watcher is that the dual cameras work immediately after connecting them together. No additional software required. I just open my Windows Camera app, and I can see the two cameras fed into the video stream. Using the included remote control, I can change how the two cameras are positioned in the video stream.
- Single Camera 1 or 2 stream
- Cam 1 or 2 zoom level
- Cam 1 or 2 brightness level
- Cam 2 AF refocus
- Cam 2 rotate angle
- Cam 1 and 2 side-by-side
- Cam 1 and 2 picture-in picture (PIP)
- PIP position and size
- Mic mute
- Kill switch to cut display and mute mic
The solution works natively with any software with camera inputs, including TEAMS, Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook Live, Twitch, YouTube Live. The Project Watcher is UVC-compliant and the hardware does all the work in generating the dual-camera layout and delivers to any software through a single video stream.
The camera specs for both units are different, but they use the same image sensor, a Sony Starvis IMX415 1/2.8-inch 8.4 MP CMOS sensor with a maximum resolution of 4K in video mode. Camera 1 uses a 22mm f/2.4 lens with fixed digital zoom steps up to 45mm, while Camera 2 offers 2.75x optical zoom that covers 20-55mm f/1.6-3.3. Camera 1 is meant for capturing the presenter (front-facing) while Camera 2 can be used to capture the subject from the overhead top-down angle. It’s very thoughtful of Creative to use an optical-zoom lens for Camera 2, as they are mindful that this camera is mostly used for capturing detailed footage of the subject interest, for instance, a reviewed product, a piano keyboard, drawing, annotation, so an optical-zoom allows user to adjust how close to frame the subject. The AF can focus as close as 5cm.
Obviously the product is still going through software improvements, but based on the current prototype version I am using, I find that the cameras require good lighting to operate as its auto-brightness is not aggressive enough. The Camera 2’s auto distortion control and the auto-focus speed should be finetuned further.
If I use a normal webcam as a benchmark, then the Project Watcher has done way more than it could. Well, maybe they could throw in a few premium webcam features, like blur background, auto-crop. But the one biggest proposition for Project Watcher is to allow owners to create dual-camera content without fussing over the technicalities.
Conclusion
For hobbyists who want dual camera setup without spending thousands on hardware, software, and learning how to use them, the Creative Project Watcher is brilliant. This product will be useful for educators (teachers, tutors), musicians, gamers, content creators, live streamers who want the advantage of having an additional camera to show a different angle simultaneously without investing on a complex system or a software workaround. It lacks advanced multicam controls, but for the price and the absolute convenience of achieving a real outcome, Project Watcher is worth getting.
Visit the crowdfunding page now at https://igg.me/at/ProjectWatcher/r/369148 . Early price price is S$230 which comes with the following items.
- Watcher Dual Camera Webcam
- Complimentary Desktop Stand (worth $49)
- IR remote controller
- Detachable Link Cable
- USB C Connection Cable
Likes:
- Plug and play, no software needed
- Compatible with any software that supports USB video class (UVC) camera input source
- Able to position the cameras freely without any constraints
Dislikes:
- Camera units are larger than conventional webcams
- Image quality is not as good as smartphones or DSLRs so it may not be ideal for content creators wanting professional-quality outputs
- Slow AF speed
Project Watcher Specifications
- Dual Sony Starvis IMX415 1/2.8” 8.4 Megapixel CMOS sensors.
Resolution: 4K in Single camera mode, 1080P in dual camera mode - USB 2.0 data stream: UVC for camera, UAC for onboard mic.
Fully class compliant for broad compatibility and ease of use. - Camera 01 – Front facing camera, Pan-focus with digital zoom, providing 88, 72, 66 and 52 degrees Diagonal Field Of View (FOV). 35mm equivalent of 22mm- 45mm.
- Camera 02 – Auto Focus with 2.75x optical zoom (Vari-Focal), 42-94 degrees Diagonal FOV. 35mm equivalent of 20mm to 55mm. Aperture F/1.6-3.3.
- Quadcore Imaging SoC enables hardware based video mode switching
(Single Camera display, dual camera PIP and PBP display)
and camera controls – no software required - Detachable Camera link cable connecting the 2 cameras
(Compatible with USB 3.2 full featured USB C to USB cables) - USB C cable connection for modern desktop and notebook systems.
Windows/Mac/Linux compatible. Current draw = 800mA - IR remote controller
- Digital Omnidirectional microphone located in Camera 01
Project Watcher’s official website is https://project-watcher.com/ .
