Here is the Hercules Dualpix Chat and Show.  As its name suggests, it enables a new and never seen before function that enables showing photos at any moment and commenting on them live in chat sessions.  The function is supposed to avoid long and grueling downloads as well as the required conversions.

For the design, the manufacturer didn’t change anything compared to the previous Dualpix.  It still has a sober plastic body and the webcam is as easily positioned on an LCD or CRT monitor.  One small disappointment is that the manufacturer still hasn’t added an autofocus, which, we remind you, cost this webcam’s smaller sibling a star.

Very nice image quality

Once again, Hercules has come up with a very fine product.  Certain webcams have problems with image rates and there can be fluidity issues when the user moves.  The Dualpix Chat and Show is immune from this defect.  The image rate is very good even in poorly lit situations.  Otherwise, face tracking is efficient. We didn’t note any latency when the subject moved and the image immediately reframed him/her.

Once again color rendering was very good.  We didn’t note any dominance as we have seen with certain rivals.  Moreover, sharpness was excellent.  The only big disappointment is that this webcam does not have auto focus.  It’s true that we do not spend our time adjusting this parameter; however, we may move away from the peripheral and for this it’s best to have someone else on hand or really long arms to help in properly adjusting this setting.

Will your voice be recognized?

In instant messaging conversations, we did indeed recognize the speaker.  On the other hand, audio quality was not the best.  Sound is slightly muffled and so we tested the external microphone that comes with the package.  Quality was better but the sound levels weren’t high enough.  In addition, after having pushed microphone sensitivity to the maximum, it was subject to blowing sounds coming from our voice.