Radio Shack actually sold something worth what they charge
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:34 pm
I've noticed that Radio Shack, whenever it sells anything, tends to be on the high end of pricing.
Well, anyway, I decided to stop by there and see if perhaps they had a web cam, although they'd probably be high. I was right, they had them in the $39 and $49 prices, one at $29, and two, amazingly enough, at $19.99. All of these are by a company named Gigaware, which I've seen in other stores too.
One was a square, boxy thing, listed at originally $49.99. Another was a typical web-cam style, a sphere with a lens, it's on a kind of tripod (it's actually two legs on a flat base and a side leg). Both of them are camera and microphone.
Then I saw the note on the box "Completely plug and play. Requires no installation software."
That sold me, for 20 bucks (21.60 with tax) and if I move it to a different computer, it will work too.
I brought it home, opened it up and it has a software CD (often they'll include other software like a program to record off the camera even if it doesn't require installation as it claims.). Plugged the camera into a USB port. System recognizes it and says it's installing the software, then says it's ready for use.
I decide to try Skype. I fire it up and guess what? it says it deteced my video camera. I try it, and sure enough, it works. The screen is blank, but I realize it's because cameras need lots more light. I bring my desk lamp with a 26 watt CF (equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent), and I can see myself!
So, I got a perfectly good no-installation webcam for $20, from Radio Shack, no less. I am amazed.
Well, anyway, I decided to stop by there and see if perhaps they had a web cam, although they'd probably be high. I was right, they had them in the $39 and $49 prices, one at $29, and two, amazingly enough, at $19.99. All of these are by a company named Gigaware, which I've seen in other stores too.
One was a square, boxy thing, listed at originally $49.99. Another was a typical web-cam style, a sphere with a lens, it's on a kind of tripod (it's actually two legs on a flat base and a side leg). Both of them are camera and microphone.
Then I saw the note on the box "Completely plug and play. Requires no installation software."
That sold me, for 20 bucks (21.60 with tax) and if I move it to a different computer, it will work too.
I brought it home, opened it up and it has a software CD (often they'll include other software like a program to record off the camera even if it doesn't require installation as it claims.). Plugged the camera into a USB port. System recognizes it and says it's installing the software, then says it's ready for use.
I decide to try Skype. I fire it up and guess what? it says it deteced my video camera. I try it, and sure enough, it works. The screen is blank, but I realize it's because cameras need lots more light. I bring my desk lamp with a 26 watt CF (equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent), and I can see myself!
So, I got a perfectly good no-installation webcam for $20, from Radio Shack, no less. I am amazed.