OBSBOT continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital content creation with its latest addition, the Meet 2. This compact yet powerful webcam is designed for those who demand high-quality video and seamless functionality in their daily activities. Whether you’re a dedicated gamer, a creative content producer, or a professional navigating the challenges of remote work, this device is built to meet your needs. It combines cutting-edge features with top-tier performance, all within a sleek design that fits effortlessly into any workspace.
Designer: OBSBOT
Design That Fits Your Style and Offers Clear Visuals
OBSBOT Meet 2 Cloud White
Combining minimalism with functionality, the OBSBOT Meet 2 easily fits into any setup. It comes in three distinct colors—Cloud White, Space Grey, and Aurora Green—allowing you to match it with your style.
Weighing just 40.5g, it’s light and unobtrusive yet packed with features that help you create high-quality content. This device combines style with practical features, delivering professional-grade performance in a compact design.
OBSBOT Meet 2 weighs 40.5g
Visuals are captured with Ultra HD 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, ensuring every detail stands out. Whether you’re streaming a game, recording a tutorial, or joining a virtual meeting, the clarity and sharpness of your video will be noticeable. The advanced Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) and 4x digital zoom ensure you can highlight key details without compromising image quality, turning your content into an engaging experience.
AI-Powered Framing and Low-Light Performance
Smart AI technology keeps you in the center of the frame, even when you’re moving around. During live streams or video calls, the AI automatically adjusts to keep you perfectly positioned, freeing you from constantly adjusting your camera. This is particularly useful in fast-paced situations where staying focused on your task is crucial.
With this webcam, low-light settings won’t compromise video quality. Its larger 1/2″ CMOS sensor and F/1.8 aperture work together to produce bright, clear images even when lighting is less than ideal. Paired with HDR technology to balance exposure, your video remains sharp and polished, whether it’s day or night.
Clear Audio That Complements the Visuals
While visuals are essential, clear audio plays an equally important role. The dual omnidirectional microphones, equipped with Noise Reduction and Auto Gain Control, capture your voice naturally and filter out background noise. This ensures that your voice remains clear and easy to understand whether you’re streaming, recording, or in a meeting. The microphones are designed to pick up sound from different angles, giving you the flexibility to move around while still delivering high-quality audio.
Beyond just technical specs, this webcam’s audio capabilities contribute to a more immersive experience for your audience. Whether you’re offering commentary during a game or presenting a topic in a virtual meeting, the natural and crisp sound keeps listeners engaged. Clear audio ensures that everyone is heard in collaborative settings, creating a more effective communication environment. This level of audio quality helps bridge the gap between virtual and in-person interactions, making it an essential tool for effective communication.
Versatile for Different Uses
This webcam is versatile enough to be useful in many different scenarios. Gamers will appreciate the 4K resolution and AI Auto Framing features, which make streams more dynamic and engaging. The camera’s ability to maintain focus on you, even during intense moments, enhances the overall viewing experience, making your streams more captivating.
For content creators, it proves to be an invaluable asset. Whether you’re recording tutorials, demos, or reviews, the high-quality visuals and intelligent framing give your content a polished, professional look. The freedom to move around without losing focus allows for more dynamic videos, reducing the hassle of constant camera adjustments.
For professionals, this webcam is a reliable tool for virtual meetings, webinars, and presentations. Its ability to perform well in low light and ensure balanced exposure means you’re always seen clearly, even in challenging environments. The high-quality microphones also ensure your voice is heard, which is critical for effective communication in remote work settings.
Time to Think About Your Setup
With the growing importance of online interactions, the need for high-quality webcams is on the rise. This device meets the need for advanced technology with a simple, user-friendly design. Compact, powerful, and affordable, it’s a valuable addition to any setup.
Whether you’re enhancing your gaming streams, improving your content creation, or elevating your virtual communications, the OBSBOT Meet 2 is designed to help you upgrade your digital presence. Consider how it could fit into your workflow and help you achieve better results.
Hands-free gesture and voice control offer unbeatable convenience
CONS:
Struggles a bit in low light
Voice control might be a concern for some users
A bit pricey (without Amazon Prime Day deal)
RATINGS:
AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
EDITOR'S QUOTE:
With a sleek, modern design, excellent performance, and helpful AI features, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K camera is one of the best webcams money can buy, especially if you get it at a bargain like on Prime Day.
With streaming steadily becoming a popular and even lucrative career, the webcams built into laptops and monitors are not enough to give you an edge over the competition. Sure, they might be serviceable or even decent for meetings, but holding a captive audience requires more than just showing your static, pixelated face all the time. Whether you’re streaming a game, making presentations, selling products, or creating content in general, you will want a webcam that can keep up with you, figuratively and literally. That is exactly what the OBSBOT Tiny 2 AI-powered webcam promises, so we take it out of its premium carrying case, mount it on our monitor, and take it for a spin to see if there’s more to it than an impressive list of smart features.
Most webcams, at least those not embedded in monitors, usually come in boxy shapes that try to blend with the edge of the monitor or circles and spheres that look like a creepy eye staring back at you. Very few of their kind pay attention to the subconscious effect their designs have on the people who will be looking at the camera for long periods of time. That makes the OBSBOT Tiny 2 immediately different from its peers the moment you take it out of its carrying case because it immediately cuts a striking figure that makes its presence known without being distracting all the time.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a rounded rectangle camera connected to a 2-axis gimbal that’s mounted on a smooth, squarish base. It has a sleek and modern aesthetic that embraces minimalism to its core. There are very few deviations from its predominantly black body, like the red accent around the camera lens and the LED light strip that indicates the camera’s modes. There are no buttons anywhere, and the only break on its surface is the USB-C port. It’s a breath of fresh air from webcams that try to look either too pretentious or too uninspiring.
The camera’s build quality is also commendable, utilizing a metal alloy rather than the common plastic. Its compact size and simple operations make it quite handy as a portable webcam, and the OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a solid carrying case that has room for everything you need to use it on the go, namely, its USB-C cable and included mount. Suffice it to say, the webcam’s simple yet stylish design won’t distract you from creating your finest content but will still please your eyes and your subconscious mind every time you do look at it.
Ergonomics
Unlike an action camera, whether in your hand or a gimbal, a webcam is mostly meant to sit on top of your screen or somewhere stationary. And with its minimalist design, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is definitely not something you’ll be touching a lot to use and control. That’s definitely a good thing since you don’t want to always reach out in front of you to even just adjust the camera’s direction. What you want is to be able to record yourself or take pictures without breaking your flow, and the Tiny 2 handles that quite gracefully.
What all this means is that you’ll be controlling the camera directly, either with gestures, voice, or the optional remote control. Yes, you’ll also use the OBSBOT Center software (formerly known as the OBSBOT WebCam), which has all the sliders and buttons you’ll need to fine-tune the camera’s performance. It can admittedly be overwhelming, but it’s something that professionals will want to have access to. And if you really need to control the camera without being near the computer, the $49 OBSBOT Tiny Smart Remote 2 has a few shortcuts handy. Plus it also functions as a presenter for those meetings that will impress your boss and even your colleagues.
Various Placement Methods
As for placing the webcam itself on a monitor, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a foldable magnetic clamp made with the same premium metal as the camera. The mount uses physics and gravity to stay on top of the monitor, while a strong magnet keeps the OBSBOT Tiny 2 attached to it, even when you tilt the mount down. Given the foldable design of the clamp, it might have some problems with very thin laptop lids or very thick monitors. Fortunately, you can also screw the Tiny 2 on almost any mount, which opens up more possibilities on where you can use the webcam. The only requirement is that you can still connect it to a computer or even a smartphone with a lengthy USB-C cable.
Performance
4K Video Quality
Before the pandemic, webcams that can go beyond 1080p resolution sounded excessive, but that’s now the bare minimum for these accessories. 4K is becoming more common, and the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is right up there with a 1/1.5-inch CMOS sensor that has an effective 50MP resolution. It’s capable of recording 4K video at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps and lower frame rates. Unfortunately, there is no “in-between” resolution like 2K of 1440p, which is also a common video quality in streaming these days.
In Dim Lighting Conditions
Whichever resolution you go with, the Tiny 2 performs admirably in capturing both still and moving content with plenty of detail and wide dynamic range. It boasts a Dual ISO system that can automatically switch or combine the two depending on the lighting condition. Unfortunately, it does struggle a bit in poorly lit environments, though not terribly. If you’ll be streaming in the dark, like what many gamers do, you might still want a bit of lighting to ensure a balanced image. The camera features two built-in omnidirectional mics with noise reduction, and while it does produce decent audio, it’s not exactly something to write home about. It can also sound a little tinny, so you might want to augment your setup with a dedicated microphone if you can afford it.
Auto Tracking with Auto Zoom
Magical Gesture Control 2.0
4x Zoom In/Out
Select/Cancel Target
While the OBSBOT Tiny 2 already delivers commendable imaging performance, it really goes to town with its long list of features to make creators’ lives easier and even more fun. And, unsurprisingly, many of these harness the power of AI with very impressive results. Tracking the subject is at the very top of the list, and it is fast and smooth, thanks both to the algorithms as well as the 2-axis gimbal. Depending on your settings, the camera can even automatically zoom in and out to make sure your head or upper body is always visible, no matter how far you are from the camera. And if more people join in on the shot, it will automatically adjust the field of view to frame everyone properly.
Present Properly with Desk Mode
The Tiny 2 also has a unit Desk Mode that makes the camera perfect for meetings and video instructions. In this mode, you tilt the mount forward and the camera will then adjust its angle so that it’s directly pointing down on the desk. It will then flip the video stream so that viewers can see what you’re writing or doing with your hands in the correct direction. And for those streams that require you to act like a teacher, whiteboard mode will focus, zoom in, and straighten the whiteboard for more effective delivery.
All-Pixel Auto Focus
The list of convenient and impressive features goes on and on. Now four times faster than its predecessor, the OBSBOT Tiny 2’s autofocus is fast and impressive, making sure that the product you’re showing off in front of you is clearly seen before it switches back to showing your face. For brief and quick camera changes, you can use hand gestures to zoom in and out, but the real headlining feature for this new model is voice control. From waking up the camera to having it follow you around, you can just ask “Tiny” rather than reach out for your mouse or keyboard. Some people might feel a bit uneasy with having a camera that’s listening and waiting for your commands, but you can always turn the camera down to turn it off and protect your privacy or disable the feature entirely.
Beauty Mode – Smooth your skin and brighten your eyes in just one second.
Sustainability
With webcams a dime a dozen in the market these days, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the vast majority of them use plastic shells to cover their bodies. What’s more surprising are the outliers like the OBSBOT Tiny 2 which opt for more premium and more sustainable materials like metal. It not only adds character to the design, it also makes it look more forgiving and gentler on the planet. You will want to take better care of the camera when using it outdoors, of course, protecting it from scuffs and dents. Thankfully, that hard shell case is there for that very purpose.
It’s not a complete win, of course, as there are still plenty of plastics in the product as well as the packaging. The camera’s seamless design also makes self-repair nearly impossible, not that you’ll want to do it yourself anyway. OBSBOT does have a strong warranty and repair policy, so you’re better off letting the experts do the hard and precise work.
Value
User Scenarios
If it wasn’t clear yet, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is chock-full of features, all of which are designed to make a content creator’s life easier and less stressful. It leverages AI so that they don’t have to make minute-by-minute decisions and adjustments to the camera, freeing them to focus on the most important part of the process: actually creating the content and engaging with a captive audience. It’s like having a small cameraman on your desk, following your body’s or hands’ cues to create those smooth transitions and to focus on important parts, whether it’s a product or your face.
That said, the OBSBOT Tiny 2’s SRP of $329 can still be a bit difficult to swallow. Make no mistake, you’re really getting your money’s worth, but not everyone will have that much in reserve for a new tool. Fortunately, Amazon’s Prime Day is just around the corner, and you can get this AI-powered camera at a steep 10% discount that brings the price down to a juicy $296. With that price cut, there’s very little to keep you from upgrading your toolset to become the content creator you’ve always aspired to be. Prime Day also opens the door to other sweet deals, like the Remote Combo with the Tiny Remote 2 getting a 16% discount, or the PowerUp Combo with a remote, a tripod, and an HQ mic going for 15% less. Streaming veterans might want to grab the Streaming Combo (remote, tripod, UVC to HDMI adapter) or the MultiCam Combo (three OBSBOT Tiny 2 Cameras, remote, 3-in-1 USB Hub) with 15% and 14% savings, respectively.
Verdict
We’re way past the time when streamers and video content creators could simply sit in front of their cameras and expect the likes (and money) to start piling in. Viewers have become more discerning, perhaps even more demanding, and streamers now need to take their content to the next level. Of course, the actual content is king, but the presentation can make or break your career as well. More than just a good camera, you need a camera that understands where you’re going and can follow your cues without you even saying a word.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K PTZ Webcam delivers on both fronts, providing excellent video quality with the brains to know how you want a shot to be taken or what to focus on. And it looks great to boot, putting other webcams to shame for their lack of elegance despite all the opportunities and materials available to them. Admittedly, it’s not an inexpensive product, but with a juicy Prime Day deal, there’s no better time to upgrade your streaming equipment and upgrade your channel than with this AI-powered 4K webcam.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite distills the essential features you need for more engaging videos, presentations, and meetings.
Video streaming has become its own entertainment category and industry, allowing almost anyone to reach out to millions across the world and maybe even make some money while doing so. The barrier to entry is quite low, at least when it comes to equipment, as long as you have a smartphone or even a computer with a webcam. As you grow your content and your audience, however, you will eventually find yourself looking for tools that are made to support such activities, like a webcam that can help bring out the best in your video content and presentations. Of course, webcams are a dime a dozen, especially if you consider the cheap and unsurprisingly basic options out there. You might think you need to spend big bucks for a really good webcam, but the new OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite says otherwise. Compact yet packing quite a punch, the 4K PTZ webcam promises AI-powered features at an affordable price, and that naturally piqued our curiosity to see if it’s really good as it sounds.
Webcam designs are myriad and varied, and most of them are meant to sit on top of computer monitors or laptop lids for use in video chats. That often means using clips or, worse, adhesives, and they take on shapes that are designed to blend in with the monitor, leading to rather uninspiring designs. It might be called a webcam, but the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is really a versatile gimbal camera that can be used for almost any purpose and in almost any setting as long as you’re connected to a computer, of course.
As such, it’s no surprise that the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite looks more like one of those gimbal cameras than a webcam, and for good reason. It’s a PTZ or “pan, tilt, zoom” camera, after all, and its base and arm work to move the camera as needed. Yes, you don’t have to position the camera yourself, but more on that later. What this means is that this webcam hardly looks like a webcam at all. Its rounded square base and the square camera hanging from its arm make it resemble a miniature professional video camera, and that’s a comparison that’s more than just skin deep.
All in all, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite has a compact and minimalist design that is distinctive but not distracting. It’s small enough to take with you anywhere your laptop and your work need to go, while still packing quite a collection of powerful features. The camera itself barely has any physical controls, creating a clean and professional-looking aesthetic. That means you’ll have to rely on indirect methods of control, like the OBSBOT App, hand gestures, or the optional remote control.
Ergonomics
You won’t be holding the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite in your hand, not unless you put it on a selfie stick or handle. It’s meant to either mount on top of you a monitor, stand on a desk, or attach to a tripod, and the camera’s design supports all three. Rather than relying on a separate clip that you might lose, the Tiny 2 Lite features a built-in stand that unfolds from the bottom, forming a simple cantilever-like mechanism that uses gravity and physics to stick to the top of a computer screen. It is, however, a very simple mechanism, and it might struggle to support older, thicker monitors as well as very slim laptop lids.
When in use, you won’t be touching the camera directly either, since there are no buttons in the first place, other than turning the camera down to activate its privacy mode. Your primary control method will be through the computer app that configures the camera’s settings, but OBSBOT really wants you to rely on automatic operations powered by its AI. For more precise control from a distance, however, you might prefer to spend an extra $49 for the optional remote control slash presentation clicker. Depending on your workflow, you might find this absence of direct control liberating or extra work.
Performance
OBSBOT made a name for itself with 4K webcams packed in tiny designs, and the Tiny 2 Lite is no different. What is different, however, is that it selects only the hardware and features that deliver the best possible experience without asking too much from the consumer’s finances. For example, the 1/2-inch CMOS sensor is quite capable, enabling 4K 30fps as well as 1080p 60fps video recording with crisp and clear details. It supports HDR, though not the PixGain HDR that the more expensive non-Lite OBSBOT Tiny 2 boasts of, and it only has a single ISO for all kinds of lighting conditions.
While the video quality that the Tiny 2 Lite produces is already good, the camera’s real selling point is its intelligent hands-free controls. Of course, this newer model leverages plenty of AI so that you can leave it to decide what it thinks is the best shot, whether it’s zooming up close or using a more panoramic shot. The camera tracks you as you go around, making presentations and demonstrations look more dynamic and natural. It also supports auto framing, where it pans or zooms to adjust to the number of people going in and out of view. If you need more direct control, you don’t have to reach for the remote and just use hand gestures to adjust the camera to your liking. As for that movement, it’s pretty smooth and quick, easily adjusting to your own movement as if you have a human behind the camera.
As many AI features that OBSBOT crammed in such a small and accessible device, it also had to leave out quite a number of them that you’d see on the OBSBOT Tiny 2. It doesn’t have voice control, for example, which might actually be a good thing for more privacy-concerned users, but neither does it have a desktop mode where the camera swings down to capture, rotate, and frame what you’re doing on the desk, which could be your notes or instructions for some process. The biggest “downgrade,” however, is using a slower USB 2.0 connection only, a decision that’s sure to become a bottleneck when you need fast video transfers from camera to computer. Fortunately, most of these features can be considered “extras” from a content creator’s point of view, allowing the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite to still deliver a solid performance at almost half the price of its older sibling.
Sustainability
One of the reasons why webcams are so ubiquitous is because of how easy and cheap it is to get the materials needed to make them. That means a load of plastic, which is admittedly lighter and more resilient than a premium but hefty aluminum chassis. Unfortunately, that doesn’t bode well for the sustainability of these products, especially the ones that feel and look cheap and are more likely to be thrown out the moment they start malfunctioning.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite thankfully doesn’t look cheap nor feel like a throwaway product, but it’s still not something that will last you a long time if you aren’t careful. You won’t want to take it on daring adventures, especially in extreme conditions. This isn’t an action cam anyway, but it could still let you do some outdoor streaming if the weather allows it.
Value
OBSBOT launched the Tiny 2 last year to much applause for the wide array of smart features packed in a compact and stylish design. The one complaint has been its rather steep price tag, and the new Tiny 2 Lite finally addresses that. For only $179, it crams many of those AI features, particularly the core functions that truly define the Tiny 2. Naturally, it had to leave some out, but did OBSBOT cut off too much?
That’s hardly the case, as the Tiny 2 Lite delivers a solid PTZ webcam experience. Admittedly, that price tag might still look a bit too high, and not all features will appeal to everyone who needs a webcam. Those who mainly use webcams for meetings will find little reason to spend more on such a camera, though there are options like sleep mode made for those times when you need to briefly step away from a meeting.
Verdict
Being stuck at home doing video meetings and chats has made us realize how webcams seem to have been stuck in the early 2000s. A whole new crop of more powerful cameras has grown from this need, some going beyond just making you look presentable for a meeting. The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is designed for budding creators who need to focus on the content they’re recording instead of having to fiddle with camera controls. More than just high-quality 4K video, this small yet powerful PTZ webcam leverages AI to do the heavy lifting of framing the perfect shot to captivate your audience, clearly get your point across, or simply have fun. Best of all, you won’t have to break the bank just to get your hands on a tool that looks so simple yet packs quite a punch, helping you look professional in any video.
The NAB Show 2024 showcased a captivating array of accessories designed to enhance the toolkit of both professional videographers and passionate content creators. As the digital media landscape continues to evolve, the need for innovative, versatile tools becomes ever more crucial. This year’s event did not disappoint, offering up gadgets that promise to refine the creative process and broaden the horizons of what can be achieved with video production. Here are the top four standout accessories from the show that are essential for anyone looking to elevate their content creation game.
Atomos Ninja Phone
The Atomos Ninja Phone is an innovative accessory designed to transform the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max into a professional monitor and recorder, significantly enhancing the video recording capabilities of the device. By supporting Apple ProRes and H.265 formats, it utilizes the iPhone’s excellent display as a dual-purpose screen and storage solution for capturing high-quality video. This integration makes the Ninja Phone a cost-effective option for mirrorless cameras needing a portable, high-resolution recording solution. However, its limitation to a maximum output of 1080p at 60fps might be restrictive for users requiring higher video resolutions. Essentially, the Ninja Phone acts as a bridge, leveraging the iPhone’s advanced display technology and adding professional recording features typically found in more sophisticated recording equipment.
Designer: Atomos
One of the key features of the Ninja Phone is its seamless integration with the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max. The device is specifically designed to utilize the iPhone’s HDR OLED display as a monitor. This proves advantageous because the iPhone’s screen offers a peak brightness of 1600 nits and a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. These features deliver vibrant and precise visuals, which are invaluable for accurate monitoring during shooting.
Moreover, it facilitates recording in Apple ProRes and 10-bit H.265 directly to the iPhone’s internal storage. Professionals widely prefer these formats due to their high quality and flexibility in post-production. This feature allows for superior color grading and editing capabilities, in contrast to the more compressed standard video formats typically generated by mirrorless cameras.
Additionally, the Ninja Phone includes a video co-processor unit that clips onto the iPhone inside a custom case. This unit effectively manages data transfer between the camera and the iPhone, ensuring efficient recording of video feeds without overloading the phone’s primary processor.
There are several connectivity options, including USB-C and HDMI. These connections are secure, featuring locking mechanisms to maintain stable links between the camera, Ninja Phone, and iPhone. Furthermore, it is powered by a single Sony NP battery, offering a convenient and widely available power solution, making battery swaps as needed during extended shoots effortless.
Another key feature includes streaming video feeds directly to Atomos’ Cloud Service using 5G or Wi-Fi, providing a robust live broadcasting or remote monitoring solution. When combined with the Atomos app, users can access professional monitoring tools like focus peaking, zebra stripes, and false color, greatly enhancing the iPhone’s usability as a professional video monitor.
SmallRig X Caleb Pike VB212 Mini V Mount Battery
The SmallRig X Caleb Pike VB212 Mini V Mount Battery is a compact powerhouse, ideal for filmmakers and content creators who are constantly on the move. It is equipped with high-capacity LG battery cells, delivering 14.76V 14.4Ah 212.544Wh and supporting rapid 140W charging, which allows it to reach full capacity in just 2.5 hours. This minimizes downtime and maximizes energy management efficiency.
Designer: SmallRig
Designed for versatility, the VB212 can power a range of devices simultaneously—from cameras and lights to smartphones like the iPhone. It includes multiple output options: two USB-C ports, a USB-A port for quick device charging, and two D-Tap ports along with specific DC outputs for high-demand equipment.
The battery’s robust design features an intelligent Battery Management System that safeguards against overcurrent, short circuits, overheating, and overvoltage, ensuring the safety and longevity of both the battery and connected devices. Constructed from durable aluminum alloy and coated with silicone, TPU, and PC V0 materials, the VB212 is built to withstand challenging environments, making it suitable for outdoor and demanding settings.
Additionally, its portability and compact frame make it a perfect complement to the iPhone’s mobility, allowing for extended shooting sessions without frequent recharges. This is further supported by the inclusion of USB-C and USB-A ports, which also charge essential mobile videography accessories. A clear TFT display monitors battery status and usage, while silicone covers protect delicate interfaces from dust and damage.
Rode Magnetic Mount
Rode’s Magnetic Mount, compatible with MagSafe-enabled devices, is a robust solution designed for mobile videography. This magnetic mounting system, crafted from high-grade aluminum, offers both durability and lightweight portability, making it ideal for dynamic or harsh shooting environments.
Designer: Rode
The mount’s strong magnet ensures that attached devices, like microphones and lights, remain stable even during active use. Its modular design includes short and long cold shoe arms and a long arm with a 1/4-inch thread, allowing for versatile setups in a variety of configurations to meet diverse filming requirements.
The Magnetic Mount’s compactness enhances its portability, fitting easily into a backpack, kit bag, or pocket. This feature is particularly beneficial for mobile videographers and photographers who require flexibility in their equipment.
For iPhone users, the Magnetic Mount is transformative, providing a stable platform for external accessories. The integration of MagSafe technology secures the attachment, crucial for producing smooth, stable footage. The mount’s design facilitates easy switching between portrait and landscape modes, adding to its functionality and versatility.
I personally like the idea that Rode has taken measures to ensure the Magnetic Mount securely latches on to the iPhone; there’s nothing worse than an expensive iPhone 15 Pro Max flying off during a shoot. The versatility and durability also enhance iPhone users’ capabilities to produce high-quality video content. The magnetic mount aligns well with the iPhone’s advanced features, supporting professional-grade content creation across various settings.
OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite represents a big improvement in webcam technology. Designed to improve video communication and live streaming quality without a high price tag, this compact device combines high-performance features and a user-friendly interface, making professional video capabilities available to a wider audience.
Designer: OBSBOT
At the core of the Tiny 2 Lite’s appeal is its UHD 4K resolution, which remains competitive with other high-end devices while surpassing the video quality typically available from standard webcams and built-in smartphone cameras. This enhancement ensures that every frame is captured with clarity and detail, making it a valuable accessory for everything from professional webinars to intimate chats with loved ones.
Additionally, it comes with dual omnidirectional microphones, which are important for good audio quality and help with maintaining clear and synchronized communication during video calls or while streaming content. This feature is particularly valuable in environments where audio clarity can be affected by background noise or distance from the device.
What sets the Tiny 2 Lite apart are its AI-driven functionalities, such as Auto Tracking with Auto Zoom and Gesture Control 2.0. Auto Tracking keeps the subject in the center of the frame, automatically adjusting the zoom to accommodate movement, which is incredibly useful during presentations or performances. Gesture Control allows users to manipulate camera settings with simple hand motions, enabling a more interactive and engaging user experience without physically interacting with the device.
There are also a variety of preset modes that can be easily switched between, allowing users to tailor the camera setup to their specific needs, whether for a static interview or an animated teaching session. This adaptability is complemented by advanced focusing technology that ensures the video remains sharp and subjects stay in focus, even with significant movement.
This portable webcam is an excellent enhancement for iPhone users, leveraging the phone’s capabilities to produce higher-quality video outputs for streaming and calls. Its compact design and straightforward setup mean it can be easily integrated into various environments, aligning with the iPhone’s portability and emphasis on high usability. Whether used in a home office, during travel, or in a professional studio, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite can be a valuable accessory for creating video content and delivering professional results in a multitude of settings.
There you have it: the accessories featured at NAB Show 2024 offer practical solutions tailored to the varied demands of modern content creators. From transforming an iPhone into a professional recording device to providing reliable power in remote locations, securing equipment on the move, or enhancing home studio setups for clearer streaming, these tools significantly enhance video production capabilities. They streamline the creation process and ensure that every detail is captured clearly, supporting creators in producing high-quality content effectively.
Webcams are to laptops what stereo systems were to cars in the past. No reputable automaker really gave a damn about how useful or functional their stereo players were, and they were almost always an afterthought to the car’s entire experience. However, with the dawn of the social age, these systems have now transformed into complex infotainment apparatuses that are sometimes the highlight of the car’s entire interior experience. I digress, but the point I’m trying to make is that up until very recently, webcams on laptops, for the lack of a more elegant term, have sucked turds. It’s barely been 2 years since companies (especially Apple) have been focusing more on just making better camera hardware for their laptops. Heck, Apple even introduced a Continuity Camera feature for their Macs that lets you use the iPhone’s main camera instead of the built-in webcam. While this movement towards building better laptop webcams is yet to gather critical mass, it’s spawned a pretty big product category in the form of external webcams, which all promise to be vastly better than the ones baked into your laptop’s hardware.
That’s where the Opal Tadpole Webcam enters the scene, promising to be a game changer. Now in its second iteration, the Tadpole promises great things with some impressive hardware specs combined with a little AI secret sauce.
Opal’s first product was launched at the height of the pandemic as the world transitioned to an online-only workplace. As people found themselves spending less time behind cubicles and more time behind crappy laptop webcams, Opal decided to debut the C1 – a promising webcam that fell short on delivering what it promised. To be honest, circumstances played a pretty big role in why the C1 wasn’t as great as it was hyped up to be. The raging pandemic was also causing a pretty ugly supply chain crisis and global chip shortage. Transportation was on a grinding halt, preventing Opal’s fledgling team from actually going to China to oversee production. However, the pandemic is now hopefully completely behind us and Opal’s grown in the time since then – not only in personally but also in how the company executes product development. In that regard, the Tadpole isn’t really the C1’s successor, given that it’s vastly better, packs new features, and is also touts a hefty $175 price tag.
First off, the Tadpole boasts a 4K Sony sensor. That’s right, 4K. In a world where most laptop webcams are stuck in the 720p dark ages, this is a significant leap forward. The video footage does get downsampled to 1080p to keep things light (a 4K stream on a Zoom call isn’t something most internet connections can handle), but Tadpole’s new machine-learning image signal processor promises “DSLR-rivaling quality.” In addition to the resolution, the Tadpole features a moderately wide 90-degree field of view. This wide angle is perfect for capturing more than just your face, helpful for those dynamic presentations, or when you want to show off more of your surroundings. Things, however, don’t stop there. The Tadpole comes equipped with an f/1.8 lens, which means it’s capable of performing admirably in low-light conditions. No more looking like you’re in a witness protection program during late-night video calls. Furthermore, the webcam includes a digital microphone array, designed to pick up your voice clearly while minimizing background noise.
Physically, the Tadpole is compact and elegantly designed. It’s practically the shape and size of a 3rd-Gen iPod Shuffle, with a minimalist design to match. It easily clips onto your laptop or monitor, adding minimal bulk, but doing away with the standard tripod mount that would allow you to attach the Tadpole on places other than a monitor. USB-C connectivity means it’s versatile and can be used with a range of devices, not just your laptop, and the Tadpole’s USB-C port even comes with a touch-sensitive Mute button, allowing you to easily mute yourself on calls without navigating any video-chat interfaces.
What’s more intriguing about the Tadpole is its compatibility. It’s not just a plug-and-play device; it takes advantage of its own software to enhance the user experience. This includes features like auto-framing and AI enhancements, ensuring that you’re always in focus and look your best, even if you just rolled out of bed.
All those features don’t come cheap at all. With an eye-watering $175 price tag, the Tadpole is sits at the higher end of the webcam market, which might be a deterrent for some. But for those who are tired of pixelated video calls and want a top-tier webcam experience, the Tadpole might just be worth the splurge. While it may not be for everyone’s wallet, it’s certainly a step in the right direction for anyone seeking clarity, quality, and a bit of style in their video calls. And who knows, maybe it’ll make those early morning Zoom meetings a tad more bearable. Or at least, you’ll look good while you’re half-asleep, sipping your coffee, pretending to pay attention.
In the ever-evolving landscape of remote working, online classes, and virtual presentations, the need for versatile and user-friendly webcam solutions is growing by the day. The traditional, static webcams simply don’t cut it anymore. The struggle to find the perfect camera angle, deal with wobbles, and create engaging content has plagued many of us, to which Logitech may have just found a feasible solution.
Say hello to the Logitech Reach, an articulating webcam that is set to redefine the way we interact with offline objects to display online. This innovative device is designed to eliminate the common problems associated with articulating webcam mounts. No more pan-and-wobble or awkward arcs across your screen: the Logitech Reach keeps you in the flow, no matter the situation.
Given its versatility and convenience, the Logitech Reach is about to become the new best friend of streamers and vloggers looking to elevate their content, or of people engrossed throughout the day in conducting online classes or presentations. For this, Logitech Reach features 1080p, 60fps Streamcam. The interesting part is, if your camera ever decides to call it quits, you can easily replace it with another Logitech Streamcam, without the need to purchase an entirely new contraption.
Logitech Reach is more than just a webcam; it’s a table-lamp-style tool designed to enhance our online interactions, whether you’re working remotely, teaching, or simply sharing your passion with the world. Logitech Reach’s standout aspect therefore is its articulating arm. This revolutionary idea allows you to effortlessly raise and lower the camera, slide it backward or forward, or by gripping the camera ring, pan horizontally over items on your desk, each time creating a dynamic and engaging visual experience not possible with the static webcam.
Logitech has not finalized the Reach as of yet. It has opted to launch the articulating arm camera through an Indiegogo Enterprise campaign, allowing early adopters to be part of the refinement process and contribute to the product’s development. While the official launch date remains undisclosed, Logitech hints the price to hover around the $399 mark.
Designed as an efficiency upgrade to your current WFH setup, Lenovo’s new Go Desk Station and Webcam give you the best of all worlds. Not only does the webcam boast a 4K resolution with the ability to use AI to track the user (along with a manual shutter to protect your privacy when not in use), it plugs into the Go Desk Station, an adaptable tabletop solution with a built-in adjustable LED light, a multiport hub, and a slide-out 15W wireless charging area for your smartphone. Together, the Go Desk Station and Webcam help collectively upgrade as well as declutter your workspace, removing unnecessary cables, tripods, and other accessories that may occupy crucial space on your ‘area of productivity’.
The Lenovo Go 4K Webcam comes as a standalone unit, with a monitor clamp that lets it attach to laptops and desktops alike. The webcam is built for video conferencing (certified for Microsoft Teams) and high-resolution streaming, with AI-assisted autofocus, auto-framing, auto ambient light adjustability, a maximum resolution of 4K at 30fps, and support for HDR. It sports a manual privacy shutter that lets you physically block the camera lens when you don’t want to be viewed and an LED light that tells you if the device (or the microphone) is still running.
The webcam, although a pretty capable piece of hardware, is made even more functional when it’s plugged out of its monitor clamp and docked into Lenovo’s Go Desk Station. The Desk Station sports an adjustable arm with LED lights that help illuminate your tabletop space, with the ability to control brightness as well as color temperature using a control surface on the base. You can either plug the webcam into the top of the Desk Station (for portrait use) or at the end of the light arm, giving you two different orientations to choose from.
At the base of the Desk Station lie a few other features that make it such a compelling productivity tool. For starters, it comes with a pop-out tray with a built-in wireless charging coil, capable of 15W Qi-certified charging for your phones as well as TWS earbuds. The Lenovo Go Desk Station comes with a 135W power input, and sports a 65W passthrough USB-C port that you can directly connect your laptop to and eliminate the laptop charger entirely. There’s also an additional 20W USB-C port on the front for charging other devices, as well as 2 USB-A ports on the back, along with an HDMI port for connecting an external monitor to your setup, capable of 4K at 60fps.
Instead of recording a widescreen video and cropping + zooming to keep the subject in range, the Insta360 Link just uses its 3-axis gimbal to follow subjects around while coolly recording everything in 4K.
In terms of webcam capabilities, the Insta360 Link is what we professionals like to call absolute overkill. The Link records in 4K and comes with a massive (by webcam standards) 1/2-inch sensor that’s capable of recording in HDR, has a monitor clip but also a built-in tripod mount, and comes with a gimbal system that uses AI to track subjects and even sports a top-view mode that can record what’s on your table in a top-view-stye format like Apple’s own Continuity Camera feature. In fact, it’s so capable as a webcam that its only true enemy is a bad internet connection!
The Insta360 Link is less of a webcam and more of a vlogger’s camera designed to ‘also’ work with your office presentations and online meetings. However, that unique distinction works rather well in the Link’s favor because most current webcams truly suck (so much so that Apple just invented a way to turn your iPhone’s main camera into a webcam). However, if you’re looking for something a little more specialized (and if you’ve got $299 to spare), the Link makes for a compelling buy. Not only do you get to use it for online meetings and presentations but it also doubles up as a good camera for recording videos, streaming, and even performing for social media.
The Insta360 Link comes with a format that seems rather similar to the DJI Pocket 2. The camera sits mounted on 3 motors that give it a great deal of flexibility and stability, allowing it to follow subjects, shift angles, focus on areas, and even flip over to a portrait-mode style of shooting that seems pretty congruous with social media apps like Instagram and TikTok.
On the inside, the Link sports a 1/2-inch sensor (marginally larger than the Pocket 2’s 1/1.7″ sensor) capable of recording at 4K while also executing rather impressive focusing abilities thanks to Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) and auto exposure technologies that ensure your webcam isn’t struggling to focus on you or any object the way most webcams sort of do.
The Link’s 3-axis gimbal system works in a bunch of ways. Running off an AI that can detect subjects and even gestures, the Link can be used for walking-style presentations (like Apple’s keynotes) where the camera promptly keeps you in the frame, or can even focus on whiteboards/softboards using the camera’s gesture-recognition abilities. Its most impressive feature, however, rides on the coattails of something Apple announced with their new MacOS reveal. The Link’s DeskView Mode allows its camera to tilt downwards and capture your desk, while using AI to help ‘keystone adjust’ it to make it look like a perfect top-view. I can’t help but think that this is a feature that may just end up driving sales for the Link because not everyone has an iPhone 13 to spare for webcam-use. Moreover, the Link’s laundry list of capabilities more than justifies its cost.
A green LED ring powers on when the camera is running, to let you know that you’re being recorded. However, when powered off, the camera can be put in ‘Privacy Mode’ with the lens facing downwards so it never accidentally ends up video recording you without your consent.
You can plug the Insta360 Link on any laptop or desktop display using the clipping mechanism built into the base. There’s even a standard tripod mount if you want to position your camera at a better angle (gamers and YouTubers, this one’s for you). The Link lets you adjust your camera’s parameters like the brightness, contrast, and saturation, and even toggle on or off the HDR abilities for a clearer feed (the HDR doesn’t work with the camera’s 4K output and will only toggle on when the quality’s downgraded to 1080p). Insta360 even touts that the large sensor on the Link helps it perform better in low-light conditions (bigger sensor captures more light), and stereo microphones on the front even offer noise canceling abilities so a dog/baby/traffic/Roomba/plumber don’t ever affect the audio quality of your presentations!
The Insta360 Link is available for $299 on the company’s website with a 1-year warranty. If you’re looking for a webcam that also doubles as a professional vlogging camera, this one might just be for you!
