Starnex Camball DVR Digital Video Recorder & Camera [Video/Camera Ball]

Having only recently covered WowWee’s Spyball Robotic Spycam, along comes another ball inspired video device and, though its not in any way comparable to, or as exciting as, WowWee’s remotely controlled camera, what it does offer is not only USB connectivity (allowing it to be used as a webcam) but also direct video recording to microSD cards – thus allowing the Starnex Camball to be used independently.

Billed as being idea for making Youtube videos, the Starnex Camball, which apparently measures in at approximately the size of a ping pong ball – though, curiously, it’s actual measurements are given as 6cm in diameter (that’s some ping pong ball by anyone’s standards – did they mean tennis ball perhaps?) – offers 320 x 240 resolution stills capture and 30fps video recording, comes with an integrated motion sensor, allowing captures to be automatically triggered by movement, we assume, and, thanks to coming complete with built-in microphone can also capture sound.

Helpfully, however, the manufacturer has decided not to specify the color depth or the type of image sensor utilised or, for that matter, even the system requirements 9in terms of using the Camball as a webcam). Not have they detailed whether it comes with integrated rechargeable battery or if it relies on separate batteries for power when used independently.

Now, I don’t know about you, but if a manufacturer apparently cannot be bothered to provide such elementary details then I simply look elsewhere, but you may be a more forgiving type and be happy to part with cash for a product shrouded in vagueness.

Then again, with the Starnex Camball coming in at just shy of $200 a pop ($200 for this – are we missing something?), perhaps you might not.

UPDATE: Okay – completely IGNORE the specifications and features offered above as provided by the above linked online shopping portal and see this post instead: Camball Mini Ball Digital Video Recorder & MP3 Player [Ping Pong Ball Sized DVR & DAP].