Magic Camera 8.5

Magic Camera Editor's Review

Magic Camera is a piece of free-to-try software designed for use with web chat software as a web-cam It can be used both as a 'straight' web-cam, simply transmitting a picture when you are speaking to someone online, and as a 'fun camera'. It has all sorts of built-in effects, so you can change your appearance while chatting. They include the ability to change the background, to add layers, to add a photo-frame effect and others. It is very similar to the kinds of 'fun' camera applications which are available for use with smart-phone cameras. It can be used with a number of different web chat applications, including MSN and Skype, among others. When you load Magic Camera up, you'll find instructions on how to configure it for different applications. As well as effects, it allows users to record videos and single frames, and to create a split screen while chatting.

Pros: easy to use, enjoyable, enhances the web-chat experience.

Cons: perhaps not worth paying for once the free trial runs out.

Conclusion: Magic Camera is a lot of fun. It allows you to add a vast number of effects to video-chatting. Try adding horns to your head, or putting your face on a magazine cover while you chat. It would probably keep legions of easily-bored teenagers amused for hours. It is funny, flexible and adaptable, if not particularly useful.