SiPix StyleCam Groove

SiPix is best known for its miniature digital cameras such as the StyleCam Snap, but it also manufactures more mainstream models.

The StyleCam Groove is multifunctional, although it is primarily a still camera. Along with still images it can be used as a webcam, digital video camera (55 seconds maximum) and a voice recorder (53 minutes maximum).

It might not be much of a looker but it is certainly light and small, making it ideal for taking out and about.

It offers a maximum resolution of 1.3megapixels, but with its integrated PictureALIVE interpolation software this is purportedly bolstered to 2megapixels (more on this later).

Buttons are kept to a minimum and it is therefore simple to operate, although we did notice that it had a habit of switching itself on when carried around in a bag.

The camera is limited to 16MB of internal memory, but does offer three different picture qualities. At the lowest resolution pictures are captured at 640 x 480, whilst the middle resolution offers 1,280 x 1,024. These let you take 155 and 38 images respectively.

It is in the highest mode that the proprietary PictureALIVE technology comes into play. Upon transferring images to a PC they are automatically passed through PictureALIVE and interpolated to achieve a 2megapixel resolution.

The results of this interpolation were quite good, although not comparable to a picture taken with a 2megapixel camera. The number of shots in this high resolution is rather limited, at only nine.

The camera comes bundled with the ArcSoft software PhotoImpression and VideoImpression, allowing you to edit pictures and create movies immediately.

System Requirements:

• Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP
• Pentium processor or higher
• 64MB Ram or more
• At least 90MB available hard disk space
• USB port
• CD-Rom drive
• 16-bit colour display

Contact:
Firebox 0870 241 4289
www.firebox.com