WebcamMax 5.3.5.8

WebcamMax is designed to add effects to any video capture source. It installs a virtual capture driver, so your programs should be configured to use it instead of your normal capture source. When you first start the program you'll be asked if you want to set WebcamMax as your MSN Messenger and CamFrog default webcam. You should answer yes to both these dialogs, even if you don't have these programs installed. WebcamMax is compatible with any program that supports defining a video capture source and supports webcam sharing in up to 16 programs at the same time.

The program can capture from video (AVI, MPG, WMV and others), flash (SWF) or picture files. Defining a webcam or a region of the screen as input source is also supported. The effects that can be applied are divided into 4 categories: transform effects, frame effects, emotion effects and text effects. In the unlikely event that you don't find the effect you wanted, you might want to search on the publisher's webpage. The publisher states that there are about 1500 effects online, but I only saw 926 when I visited their website. I noticed that only those from the "Effects Submitted by Users" section of the website aren't included in the program.

Pluses: You can use the program to record the output video using AVI format and it can also be used to take snapshots.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: It's a very easy to use webcam sharing application with possibility to add realtime effects, and some useful extra features.

version reviewed: 2.3.0.7