Insta360 equips webcams with AI noise cancellation
Insta360 has announced two new versions of its Link webcam with smaller designs and new automated tracking capabilities optimized for presentations or live streaming.
The company announced the Link webcam in 2022 with a dual-axis stabilizer that allows the webcam to track you as you move around the room.
The Link 2 is a direct extension of the original camera, while the Link 2C ditches the gimbal for a smaller size, lighter weight, and lower price.
Insta360 has equipped its new generation webcam with AI-powered noise reduction. The feature ignores things like nearby conversation, keyboard clicks and traffic noise.
Both models support a range of different audio profiles, including voice focus, noise cancellation and music balance.
The Link 2 and Link 2C feature a 1/2-inch sensor with improved low-light and HDR capabilities, helping to preserve additional detail in low light.
The lens has an f/1.8 aperture and features PDAF. Both cameras can create a DSLR-like Bokeh effect to blur the background. They also support background replacement.
The sensor delivers 4K video at up to 30fps, and you can use both cameras in landscape or portrait orientation with 4K Portrait mode.
Smart Whiteboard mode is useful if you're using a whiteboard during your presentation because it ensures the whiteboard stays in frame and focus.
There's also a DeskView mode for presentations. The phase detection autofocus system can focus as close as 10cm if you need to view a product up close.
The lens has a diagonal field of view of 79.5 degrees, and both cameras use AI-based tracking to keep you in the frame.
There’s a new group tracking mode for presentations with multiple people. Insta360 has also added temporary tracking areas so you can step out of the frame at certain locations or hide certain areas.
You can also control the AI with gestures, as you can make the camera start and stop AI tracking, zoom in and out, or enable smart board mode. You can also control both cameras using your smartphone.
The Link 2 features a gimbal, which produces smooth, stable footage as it tracks you around the room, and it also has a privacy mode, which points the camera downward and mutes the microphone.
Both Insta360 cameras have a magnetic mount, allowing you to attach them to metal surfaces. There is a tripod screw for traditional mounting. Both Insta360 cameras are compatible with Zoom, Teams, Twitch, and other platforms.
Insta360 is selling the Link 2 for $200, while the Link 2C is selling for $150.