Minoru 3D Webcam ships this week, still looks freaky

In case you haven't noticed, 3D is the topic of this year's CES. And we're not talking about 3D HDTVs exclusively -- we're talking about 3D figurines that double as webcams. To be quite honest, the USB 2.0 Minoru 3D Webcam is ripe for a Billy Mays plug, but considering that he's charging like seven figures per promotion these days, Minoru is settling for the spotlight in Vegas. The device features two cameras spaced "roughly the same distance apart as human eyes" in order to create a stereoscopic effect, and buyers get five pairs of 3D glasses just in case you lose one (or four). For those interested in seeing even more depth in their video chats, you can snag one from Amazon on January 8th for $89.95. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: Minoru 3D Webcam ships this week, still looks freaky

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Minoru 3D Webcam launches at CES Las Vegas

The award winning webcam that brings 3D video to the consumer is now available for purchase worldwide

CES Las Vegas, January 5th – The eagerly awaited Minoru 3D webcam gets its first public showing, and simultaneous worldwide launch this week. The British designed 3D webcam has been fascinating people around the world since it was entered into the
i-stage competition run by the Consumer Electronics Association. After winning the Fans Favorite award, and a stand at CES, designer David Holder has been preparing for the launch of the product.

"It's been a fantastic process to see my design go from drawing board to finished product. There has been tremendous interest in the Minoru 3D Webcam, and I'm excited to finally have products that people can try out, and hopefully buy," said Holder.

The Minoru 3D Webcam is a single piece with two cameras spaced roughly the same distance apart as human eyes, for the stereoscopic effect. This creates an anthropomorphic look that means users tend to look into the eyes of the camera as they light up. The Webcam has a multi-position stand that can sit or stand on a desk, or perch on a monitor. Viewers wear special coloured glasses to see the 3D image, and five pairs are included.

Minoru means "Reality" in Japanese, and it reflects how users feel about the 3D image. The Minoru can be used with Windows Live Messenger, Skype, AOL instant messenger, OoVoo and other video conferencing packages. The camera can also be used to take still pictures or record 3D video for YouTube. It can also be used as a normal 2D Webcam.

Pricing and availability
In the US the Minoru 3D Webcam will be available from Amazon.com for $89.95. The product is currently available for pre-order, with stock arriving on January 8th.
In the UK the Minoru 3D Webcam will be available from Amazon.co.uk, Firebox.com and direct from the manufacturers website at www.minoru3d.com, priced at £49.95 including VAT.


Specifications
USB 2.0 High Speed 3D Webcam
Output Modes – 3D, 2D, Picture in Picture (PiP)
3D Mode – Optimised Red/Cyan Anaglyph viewed with Red/Cyan 3D Glasses
Output size – 800x600, 640x480(VGA), 352x288, 320x240 pixels
Frame rate - 30 frames per second
Power consumption < 1.5 W operating mode, <2 mW in standby mode

[Alan @ Jan 5th 2009 4:43PM]

Umm, the five pairs are for your friends who will actually be looking at the freaky video of your face coming at them.

[xspeedy @ Jan 5th 2009 4:44PM]

Looks like Stewie

[TheAngryGamer @ Jan 5th 2009 4:49PM]

Well played.

+1

[HOOPER @ Jan 5th 2009 6:08PM]

I was thinking hey arnold

[James @ Jan 5th 2009 6:40PM]

I was just thinking..how long until someone paints one like Stewie...

[fistpittingnork @ Jan 5th 2009 4:47PM]

Freaky? In the manliest way possible, this webcam is cuuuuuuute!

[Game_playa @ Jan 5th 2009 4:51PM]

Lots of news today

[Colin Jones @ Jan 5th 2009 4:53PM]

Wall.E 3D...

[Riverhead @ Jan 5th 2009 4:58PM]

-1 for spamming an unrelated blog.

[Derbeste @ Jan 5th 2009 4:58PM]

And here I thought cyborz couldn't get any creepier.

[JohnM @ Jan 5th 2009 5:03PM]

An interesting watch over at youtube of the Minoru 3D...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh4jDOzp16g

Also have a search for "Minoru 3D" on youtube.

And no, I don't work for these people, I'd have to buy one as well!

[Kent @ Jan 5th 2009 5:09PM]

Does it come with mailing envelopes so you can send the glasses to the people not actually in front of the cam?

Anyone want to take bets on how long before you have 3D webcam stripper channels for the imagination-disabled?

Actually, I'd love to strap this puppy to a robot with a WiFi interface. That'll probably be the follow-on project. Then again, just putting this thing at the end of a long stick to give tree-top views would be pretty slick. Well, provided you hide them under your sunglasses so that you don't look that much more like a dork pushing a 50 foot stick into a treeline or river (or fireplace or rain gutter) while staring at a laptop.

[Reed @ Jan 5th 2009 5:11PM]

Awesome, quit acting like you're a moderator. If the mods don't like it they can tell me to stop. But many people have come to my site from here and have left positive feedback. I don't see this as disturbing and neither should you.

[family guy @ Jan 5th 2009 5:13PM]

kinda looks like stewie.......... if you know what i mean........................

[Rick @ Jan 5th 2009 5:16PM]

Mac compatible? So you'd give the glasses to your folks across the state so they can see you in 3d?

[Samboini @ Jan 5th 2009 5:16PM]

Reed; you wish many people had come to your site from here, let's be honest.

[agrabren @ Jan 5th 2009 5:26PM]

Just because you get hits from those of us who hit the link before realizing it's spam doesn't make you less of a toolbag.

[Samboini @ Jan 5th 2009 5:31PM]

The irony being it isn't worth the 'reed'.

[Reed @ Jan 5th 2009 5:34PM]

I see that you had to come up with another argument since your last one didn't work out so well. You guys are disturbing these comments more than my link did. That's the irony.

[telepheedian @ Jan 5th 2009 5:36PM]

The gray button has been pressed.

[MarbleMind @ Jan 5th 2009 5:38PM]

Reed; Links to private sites belong into profiles and signatures. When there's neither of these available, consider to promote somewhere else. The general consensus is that unrelated promoting within the message body is spam, independent from the platform and the extent of obstructiveness. Reading Edgadget for quite some time already, I can safely say it is certainly not appreciated here. No harm meant, just trying to help.

[Reed @ Jan 5th 2009 5:41PM]

Well it's nice to have an informing comment that does not need an objective reply

[ucfgrad93 @ Jan 6th 2009 12:39AM]

Looks like Wall-E to me.

[Jeff @ Jan 5th 2009 6:20PM]

Would this be, or could this be made compatible with those iZ3D monitors that use polarized glasses and don't distort the color with the red and blue lenses?

[Dwayne from Probably Sucks Blog @ Jan 5th 2009 8:55PM]

I really want one. Seriously, I am a huge stereoscopic imagery fanboy. I am getting one of these bad boys as soon as possible. Bring on the 3D.

Dwayne.
http://probablysucks.com

[kumo @ Jan 5th 2009 9:54PM]

uh minoru doesn't mean "reality" .....

[superhobo @ Jan 6th 2009 5:04AM]

Made by Waticorp?

[Garrett @ Jan 6th 2009 5:28AM]

Yeah, but is it compatible with my Pleo Playground?

[Bharat @ Jan 6th 2009 10:39AM]

The ET would have been a good name for it.

[Dennis @ Jan 19th 2009 5:25PM]

I saw this at CES this year, it was ok, uses the red and blue shift and old school 3d glasses. Comes with 5 pairs you are expected to give or mail to people. I suggested that they have a feature on their site that lets you "mail a pair" from them for free (with your product registration) to your friends. The reply from the girls working the booth was "It's just a gimmick, it's not that big of a deal"

So, if they think it's just a gimmick, why should I bother with their product?