REVIEW: Best Consumer Video-Conference VideoPhones

Znews.com --
These low-cost plug-and-play videophones can be used for small business conference calls, staying in touch with distant or elderly family and friends, tele-homecare, distance education, or even as a low-cost remote monitoring device. For value, fun, and ease-of-use, they can't be beat. Just plug into your existing phone line (you don't need an Internet connection or a computer), and call any other compatible phone.

This review covers videophones that don't require a PC or Internet connection. Most have features such as remote camera zoom/pan/tilt, and auto answer, which allows you to check up on your business or home from a remote location. On some models you can hook up a second camera, and toggle between it and the main unit's built in camera to have two different views.

The video and voice data is transmitted over your telephone lines. Since these are not used with high-speed lines, there is some choppiness and there may be a slight voice delay, but overall image quality is good. The main difference is whether the phone comes with its own monitor, or uses your telephone and TV. The InnoMedia InfoView and the Aiptek 2000S, for example, plug into you TV set and your telephone, which gives you a bigger image than the models with built-in video screens -- they're also easily transported -- if you're going somewhere where there's a TV and phone, you can just plug it in. The all-in-one units, such as the Aiptek 2000T, come with a phone and built-in video monitor, and are even easier to set up than the set-top units, though they're generally more expensive.

Aiptek Video Phone 2000S
Price: $299.99
Summary: Larger TV image, easy set up, works with your own phone and television. Image somewhat choppy.
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Pros: Larger TV image, easy-to-install, no PC necessary.
Cons: Slight delay in audio and video.
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Aiptek 2000T Video Phone (with phone/monitor)
Price: $469.99
Summary: Easy set up, includes telephone and small video monitor. Image somewhat choppy.
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Pros: Self contained unit includes speakerphone and small monitor, portability, easy-to-install, no PC necessary.
Cons: No memory dialing, some video distortion, smaller video image than TV units.
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InnoMedia's InfoView Videophone
Price: $275.00
Summary: If you're looking for a videophone that doesn't require a computer and Internet connection, check out the easy-to-install InfoView, an affordable videophone setup. Just plug your own TV and telephone into the InfoView camera and place a call over your regular telephone line to any other compatible system.
[Read Full Review]

Pros: Price, larger TV image, easy-to-install, no PC necessary, good design.
Cons: Slight delay in audio and video, phone menu controls awkward.