Mi TV webcam review summary:
Design
Setup & hardware
Performance
Pros
- Plug and play usage
- Compatible with both TVs and laptops
- Physical privacy shutter
- Decent video quality
Cons
- Limited field of view
- Limited app support on TV
The last couple of years have brought several changes in our lives. Reeling under the pandemic pressure, we have learned to live with a mask on, stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, and hopefully to practice healthier life choices. The pandemic has also changed the way we work or catch up with friends and family. With most of us isolated remotely, services like Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams have become familiar conference rooms where all of us discuss work or engage with each other.
Personally speaking, I must have attended hundreds of video calls in the last one and a half years. In fact, at my workplace, the HR team has been helping employees keep up their morale with ‘Friday fun’ activities on Google Meet. The demand for tools that let you connect effectively has understandably increased and we are seeing renowned brands bring in plug n play cameras for TVs. For the last 20 odd days, we have been testing out the Mi TV Webcam. Based on our experience here’s our Mi TV webcam review:
Mi TV Webcam Key Specifications
Camera Sensor & Max Resolution: 2MP, 1080p @ 25fps
Output format: MJPG, H.264, YUY2
Microphone: Stereo Dual Mic, Far-field- 4m
Field of View: 71-degree,
Focus: Fixed Focus
Physical Shutter: Yes
Connection: Removable Type-C Cable
Compatibility: Android TV 8 or above, Windows 7 or later, and Desktops
Mi TV webcam review: Design and build
The Mi TV Webcam has a simple yet functional design. It has a cuboidal shape, compact size and its metal built lends it a premium look and feel. The lens on the front comes with a plastic slider to address privacy concerns. One can easily spot two far-field microphones on the front.
The webcam has a Type C port at the back which is primarily for connecting it to a power source. At the bottom, there’s an adjustable mounting stand base that lets you mount it on your TV or laptop. It’s a magnetic stand and will snap tightly onto TVs with a metal body. I tried the Mi TV webcam with my TCL Android TV where the webcam managed a decent grip but since the TV doesn’t have a metallic back, the webcam did fiddle a bit.
Similarly, the slim chassis on my laptop made it difficult for the Mi TV webcam to attach firmly. I also tried keeping it on the table and it managed to stand on its feet without support. However, it created a tilted angle which should be a deal-breaker for any official meeting.
Mi TV Webcam review: Set-up and hardware
The Mi TV Webcam doesn’t require any set-up as such. Since it is plug and play device it doesn’t need drivers or any other software to work. All you need to do is connect the provided USB Type-C to Type-A cable on the device and one of the USB ports on the TV or laptop. Your TV or laptop should recognize it automatically.
Hardware-wise, the Xiaomi TV Webcam houses 2MP fixed-focus optics with the capabilities of shooting 1080p video at 25fps. Xiaomi says it has 71 degrees field of view and comes with 3D noise reduction technology. The dual far-field stereo mics are rated for 4m coverage.
Mi TV Webcam review: Performance
You can give an eye to your android tv for just Rs 1,999 to make video calls with your loved ones on the Google Duo app. We found the performance of the two microphones on the front surprisingly good as they manage to clearly pick up my voice during a video call.
The 1080p 24fps video that the camera delivered was decent considering we are watching it on a large screen. Yes, there was visible noise but it didn’t hamper the overall video calling experience. It has a 71-degrees field of view, which is decent enough. However, since it is designed to plug into a TV, we would have appreciated a wider FOV since it would have managed to capture a wider space of my living room allowing a better family video calling experience.
Mi TV Webcam review verdict: Should you buy it?
Considering the Mi TV Webcam’s affordable price it’s a reasonable option for those who are looking to equip their Android Smart TV with a webcam. It offers decent picture and audio quality at a pocket-friendly price. Users can also use it as a substitute for their laptop’s VGA webcam for better video quality.
Reasons to buy:
- Plug and play usage
- Compatible with both TVs and laptops
- Physical privacy shutter
- Decent video quality
Reasons to not buy:
- Limited field of view
- Limited app support on TV
