Cam Specs:

• 1.3 megapixels HD Video. Specifically, resolution up to 1280 x 1024
• Up to 30 fps (at 640x480 resolution, system dependent)

Tips for use:

• Use the Eyeball to video chat with friends and family anywhere in the world! If you'd rather just record your voice or favorite instrument, close the camera shuttle and you're ready to go.
• For maximum enjoyment, use the Eyeball in a quiet controlled space, where loud background noise can be kept at a minimum, to best capture your voice.
• Like any webcam, the Eyeball is sensitive to lighting conditions. The video image may not appear as clear in dark or over exposed conditions. Experiment with your room's lighting and the positioning of the Eyeball for best results.
• Try positioning your Eyeball around eye-level, with the light source above the camera, for a sharp, well- lit image.
• For optimum use, We recommend using the Eyeball's webcam at a Frame Rate of 30fps and the audio at 44.1k, 16-bit

Features & Functionality

• What exactly is the deal with the Eyeball?
  We have taken the sound and portability of our Snowflake portable USB mic and paired it with a High Definition webcam! Video chatting has never been better. Just plug in and launch your favorite messengering/chatting software and you're ready to go.
• Do I need to install any drivers to use my Eyeball?
  No. The Eyeball is designed to be simple. You can use it with any video host program or software which recognizes/accepts USB devices.

• How do I mount the Eyeball to my screen?

• The Eyeball's metal base will fit many monitor screens. If your Eyeball does not fit securely over your screen, try sliding the included rubber adapter over the end of the metal base to secure the Eyeball to your screen, as shown below.

• Why is my Eyeball so sensitive to light?
  The Eyeball utilizes an Auto Adjustment feature for best performance in a wide range of lighting conditions. As a result, when you open or expose the Eyeball to new lighting, allow about 10 seconds for the camera to adjust to your new lighting conditions.
• What does "Cardioid" mean?
  This is the polar pattern or direction of sound pick-up the Eyeball's microphone is capable of. If you think of polar patterns as the shape of the area that a microphone "hears," cardioid only picks-up what's right in front of it. It will pick-up other sounds at increasingly diminished volume as the sound source moves further away from the center of the mic, to the side or even the rear (audio techs call this off-axis).
• Which Frame Rate is ideal for use with the Eyeball?
  To optimize your video casting experience, we recommend using a Frame Rate of 30 FPS with your Eyeball.
• How can I maximize the video quality of my Eyeball?
  Depending on the version of software you are using with the Eyeball, you may be able to adjust the brightness, contrast, sharpness and saturation. Consult your video Software Preferences to optimize its capabilities (video capabilities may vary by software application).
• What sample rate and word length does the Eyeball use?
  The Eyeball's digital output is set to 44.1 kHz / 16-bit, just like an audio CD. But this is something that only audio geeks really need to worry about!
• How can I select a different sample rate?
  Because the Eyeball is designed for the greatest ease of operation and setup, sample rate / word length are not user-definable.
• Can I use more than one Eyeball at a time?
  Some audio editing software allows for multiple USB connections. Check with your software vendor - they should have technical support staff who can answer all of your questions about their product.
• Which Software supports the use of the Eyeball?
  Any software that accepts USB input and supports video is compatible. Some great applications we have found include (but are not limited to): Google Chat, iChat, ooVoo, AOL Instant Messenger, Skype and Yahoo! Messenger.
• How do I configure my computer operating system input and volume of the Eyeball's audio?
   

Windows XP Setup Procedure

1. Under START MENU open SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES control panel
2. Select AUDIO tab; insure BLUE EYEBALL is selected as DEFAULT DEVICE
3. Click on VOLUME; select appropriate volume level
4. Exit control panel

Windows Vista Setup Procedure

1. Under START MENU open Control Panel, and then select Sound
2. Select Recording tab; insure BLUE EYEBALL is selected as Working with check mark next to the icon (Disable alternate mic if necessary)
3. Click on Properties; select the Levels tab, set your input level, click Apply, then OK
4. Exit control panel

Macintosh Setup Procedure

1. Open Apple menu -> SYSTEM PREFERENCES
2. Double-click SOUND preference file
3. Click INPUT tab
4. Double-click BLUE EYEBALL MIC under CHOOSE A DEVICE FOR SOUND INPUT dialog box
5. Set input volume to the appropriate level
6. Exit SYSTEM PREFERENCES

Software Setups

Please note: As there are so many different software packages that are compatible with the Eyeball, we are compiling a list of software we've tested and assured compatibility. We will publish that list as soon as it is forthcoming. In the mean time, we suggest consulting your software's manual, user forums and technical help lines. Here are a few to get you started:

iChat:

1. Launch iChat
2. Select iChat Preferences
3. Click Audio Video tab
4. Select "Blue Eyeball" as Camera

Google Chat:

1. Download Gmail voice/video plug in
2. Login to Gmail, and scroll to the G-chat section
3. Select the person you wish to chat with, and open a chat window
4. Open the "Video and More" tab, and start your video chat

Skype:

1. Launch Skype
2. Call the person you wish to chat with
3. Click "Start My Video"

iMovie:

While iMovie does not currently support external webcams, this brief tutorial will provide you with the tools to record and import your movie.

Launch the application PhotoBooth

Plug your Eyeball into a native USB port. At this point, PhotoBooth will display footage from your Eyeball

To record, press the red CAPTURE button

To end capture, press the gray STOP button

After you've recorded your video, drag and drop the clip to the location of your choice

7. Now open iMovie and import your clips!

 

 

Audacity 1.3 Windows/Mac (For recording audio only)

1. Go to the Edit (Windows)/Audacity (Mac) menu located in the Title Bar
2. Select Preferences from the Edit/Audacity list
3. Select the "Audio I/O" tab at the top of the Preferences page/box
4. Under the Device drop/scroll down menu in the "Recording" section, select the Blue Snowball - as the device
5. Please insure that in the "Channels" section below, the "1 (Mono)" is selected
6. Select "OK" at the bottom of the Preferences page/box
7. Close out of the Preferences page
8. Click on the Red Circle at the top of the page below the Title Bar
9. You have now begun recording and a new "Audio Track" will pop-up below the Title Bar
10. You will notice that the Audio Track reads "Mono, 44100hz"
11. Audacity defaults to a 44.1 kHz (or 44,100 Hz) sample rate

Macintosh, iMovie, PhotoBooth and iChat are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows Live Messenger are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Inc. Skype is a registered trademark of Skype Limited. AOL is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc. Yahoo! is a registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. Google Talk is a trademark of Google Inc. ooVoo is a registered trademark of ooVoo LLC. Audacity is a registered trademark of the Audacity development team.