Mecool Now KA2 smart camera evaluation: A versatile webcam with a few trade-offs

The Mecool Now KA2 is a breath of unpolluted air within the webcam phase, combining a smart camera and a streamer in a single package deal. I’ve reviewed a handful of streaming gadgets from Mecool over the last few months, together with the Mecool KD3 dongle and the HousePlus KA1 Android TV field. The latter doubles as a smart speaker if you find yourself no longer gazing motion pictures or TV presentations, and now Mecool is trying to drag off one thing other: An Android-powered streamer designed round a webcam.

But it is not an bizarre webcam. The Now KA2 is constructed to sit down atop your smart TV in your video calling wishes, like most of the perfect webcams in your TV. It is basically a full-fledged Android TV platform that helps a huge number of streaming products and services. As for the video conferencing side, this accent has a few obstacles.

Mecool Now KA2: Price and availability

The Mecool Now KA2 at the beginning debuted remaining 12 months working Android 10 out of the field. The smart camera was once lately up to date to Android 11. It is to be had to buy by way of Mecool’s on-line storefront, in addition to primary retail platforms equivalent to Amazon for $125. Plus, you’ll save 10% for your acquire by way of simply the use of the coupon code MECOOLAC upon checkout via Mecool’s store (opens in new tab).

Mecool Now KA2: What you can like

Unlike maximum webcams with a easy design, the Now KA2 has a lot going for it. It is a flat plastic brick with numerous options that underline the volume of labor Mecool spent construction the product.

The camera sensor and lots of the buttons are positioned alongside the entrance edge. The standby button, far flung keep an eye on sensor, and a devoted button for answering calls are all aligned from left to proper for simple get admission to. There also are 4 indicator lighting fixtures for name and job standing, in addition to two microphone pin holes. Perhaps, the design spotlight is a bodily rolling quilt that tucks the camera away when no longer in use — splendid in case you are cautious about your privateness.

The Mecool Now KA2 is a well-thought-out webcam that places your privateness above the rest.

You’ll additionally right away be alerted when the camera is lively by way of a camera indicator that turns inexperienced or pink (when it is inactive). This is a part of the camera’s design that will help you keep in keep an eye on of your privateness. Since it is Google Assistant-enabled, the software could also be constructed to repeatedly concentrate for voice instructions. Mecool has given this idea and stuffed a bodily microphone button to take away any possibility of snooping.

Right out of the field, the Now KA2 is in a position so that you can plug in. You’ll in finding a barrel-type DC enter, HDMI in/out ports, a tripod mounting hollow, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and a mounting bracket. Even even though the camera is a bit chunkier than maximum webcams, it seems superb sitting atop my TCL smart TV with out making me fear it is going to fall off.

While it does not have a microSD card slot to amplify its garage, the product does come with a USB 3.0 port on one aspect to can help you attach an exterior power. The bundled far flung seems sturdier than any of the far flung controls that got here with earlier Mecool merchandise I’ve reviewed. 

There are devoted buttons for Google Assistant, YouTube, Open Camera, and Google Duo. This approach you’ll briefly name any touch with a unmarried press of the Duo button, however that also is one in all its drawbacks, which we will speak about later.

Listening to any individual at the different finish of a phone name is a breeze because of the top-mounted 5W speaker. During my take a look at, the audio was once as much as par because of its far-field voice keep an eye on.

As a streamer, the Now KA2 has most of the options you do not want to leave out from an Android TV field. The product at the beginning shipped with Android 10 out of the field earlier than it was once handled to Android 11 a few months in the past.

It’s a relatively usual streaming software, powered by way of a quad-core Amlogic S905X4 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of inner garage. It helps Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, Bluetooth 4.2, HDR10+, and Dolby Audio.

Navigating apps on my TV display is a snap, and the streamer is able to as much as 4K answer at 60 FPS, like most of the perfect streaming gadgets, such because the Chromecast with Google TV. There’s not anything to whinge about on that entrance.

Mecool Now KA2: What you will not like

Things begin to get nasty while you start the use of the accent for what it was once intended for. The Now KA2 comes with an underwhelming camera: It shoots most effective in HD (720p) answer, and it is restricted to a 100-degree area of view.

While Mecool will have to get a pat at the again for construction the camera with consumer privateness in thoughts, the product suffers from deficient symbol high quality. It’s a compromise that I feel most of the people will see as a sadness for its worth. While it should get the process finished right through a informal name with family and friends, this is not one thing you wish to have to make use of for extra formal events, equivalent to a video assembly with your boss or consumer.

The choice of supported videoconferencing apps could also be extraordinarily restricted: the Now KA2 is most effective appropriate with Google Duo. This approach there is not any toughen for any of the most efficient video convention device, equivalent to Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, or Zoom.

The Mecool Now KA2 impresses on the subject of streaming content material, however it isn’t the webcam you might be in search of.

You cannot set up non-supported apps, too, even though this will have to be tied to its respectable Google certification. After all, Android TV is not identified for supporting all the apps to be had at the Play Store for cell gadgets.

You additionally cannot alter its area of view. Fortunately, the mounting bracket is adaptable to any viewing perspective. Another drawback to this product is the cumbersome design, however that is simply nitpicking.

Another shortcoming of the Now KA2 is that it can’t be used as a standalone webcam. It feels as even though the smart camera was once an needless gimmick for what will have to have simply been a devoted streaming software.

Mecool Now KA2: The pageant

There’s no longer an abundance of goods just like the Now KA2 in the marketplace. The closest that involves thoughts is the Yealink UVC34, a Microsoft Teams-certified webcam with 4K toughen. However, it is far more dear than Mecool’s smart camera.

A more effective resolution is the NexiGo N940P, which units you again most effective $70. It shoots as much as 1080p at 60fps, with toughen for a couple of video-calling products and services, together with Zoom, Skype, Teams, and Webex.

Mecool Now KA2: Should you purchase it?

You will have to purchase this if…

• You need a webcam that doubles as a streaming software.
• You need a privateness quilt in your camera.
• You need a Google Assistant-powered webcam.

You mustn’t purchase this if…

• You’re in search of a webcam with no less than a complete HD video capacity.
• You need a webcam that produces deeper colours.
• You wish to use the webcam for anything else rather then Google Duo.

The Mecool Now KA2 is a ignored alternative for a Chinese corporate that makes a speciality of a big choice of leisure and streaming merchandise powered by way of Android. Sure, the smart camera is as much as par at the streaming entrance, however a lot of corners were minimize, undermining its webcam features as a consequence.

Still, Mecool merits reward for sparsely striking the buttons and including additional design main points that put privateness entrance and middle whilst interacting with the accent. The product attracts maximum of its power from its device, which is in contrast to anything else we now have noticed on a webcam.