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_AboUT CaSiO WriSt CaMeRa_
Now you can be like James,James Bond...
What is it?
The Casio Wrist Camera is a Digital Watch with a digital Camera feature. The Digital Camera stores 100 pictures with
a 120x120 resolution with 16 grayscales. It works basically like any other simple Digital Camera. In Record mode the display of the watch shows the live image the lens is viewing. The pictures can be viewed on the Watch and transferred via infra red to a PC.
How does it work?
In camera mode the watch display works like a little Video Screen. The screen shows in Real-time what the lens on the side of the watch is picking up. By pressing the shutter button a picture is taken. The watch stores 100 images. It is important that there is enough light, when taking a picture. The other important thing is to not move the watch when pressing the shutter button. I found that the best control is gained when placing the pointing finger under the watchband and pressing the shutter button with the thumb. That way the watch can be held still.
Detailed Specification
Recording Format:
CASIO original (conversion to BMP or JPEG when uploading to a computer)
Recording Medium:
Built-in 1MB memory
Memory Capacity:
100 images
Recording Element:
1/14-inch monochrome CMOS sensor
Total Pixels:
28,000; Pixel Yield: 24,334
Lens:
F2.8 fixed; f =1.1mm
Focusing Distance:
30cm to ¥
Subject Illumination:
Approximately 100Lx to 45,000Lx
Exposure Control:
Light metering system; full screen average; ALC (Average Luminance Control), exposure compensation
Shutter:
Electronic shutter
Shutter Speed:
1/11 to 1/1660 second
Monitor:
120x 120 dots (14,400); monochrome with 16 grayscales); 20 x 20mm screen size
Recording Modes:
Normal; Art; Merge
Data Bank:
Up to 24 characters per image (alpha, numeric, basic symbols)
Clock:
Timekeeping display, five alarms, timer, stopwatch
Other:
Auto power save system, simple record
Infrared Communication:
Casio original system
Infrared Functions:
Image data exchange with a computer, data exchange with another Wrist Camera
Data Speed:
115,200 BPS
Communication Distance:
10cm maximum
Dimensions/Weight:
40(W) x 52(H) x 16(D) mm / 32g
Power Requirements:
CR2032 battery
Approximate Battery Life:
6 months (60 seconds of cameraoperation per day)
Options:
Wrist Camera Infrared Adapter & Link Software (Wrist Camera data management application)
Accessories
•Connect to the PC
To upload pictures to a Windows PC the Wrist Camera PC Link Kit is needed.
The PAD-2-1JR retails for around 50USD in the USA.
To upload the pictures to the PC you need a Wrist Camera PC Link Kit from Casio (PAD-2-1JR). The Kit works for Windows 95/98/NT 4.0. The cable with the IR Receiver connects to a Serial Port. The installation is very smooth. The images get transferred over the IR interface of the watch. The Casio Software lets you organize your pictures and even has a Screensaver function where you can display your downloaded images.
What can you do with it ?
Imagine to have always a camera with you. The usage is unlimited. Making a picture of your loved ones, take a snapshot of a number plate of a car, photograph a URL in a magazine so you can check it out later, taking photos of a Porsche you want to buy but want to show it to your wife first, catching somebody red handed, and so on.
Issues
Light is the main problem. A flash would be extremely helpful. Maybe in the next version. When taking a picture it is important that it is very bright. If you want to take good pictures in a Nightclub - forget it. The other issue, it takes a while to be able to make pictures without moving the watch during pressing the shutter. As I explained above putting the pointing finger under the watch helps. Third issue , just don't expect too much. It will not replace your 3.3 mega pixel camera.
