EyeToy

EyeToy logo
An EyeToy* on a PS2 Slim*
Specifications ^[1]
Platform:	PlayStation 2
Interface:	USB
Connector:	USB 1.1
Power consumption	50 mA
Dimensions:	44 × 53 × 89 mm
Weight:	173 g
Cable length:	2 m
Resolution:	640×480 pixels
Lenshead:	Manual focus ring
Sensor:	OV7468
Chip:	OV519
This article is part of the PlayStation 2 series

The EyeToy is a color digital camera device for the PlayStation 2 similar to a webcam. The technology uses computer vision to process images taken by the camera. This allows players to interact with games using motion, colour detection and also, through the in-built microphone, sound.

The camera is manufactured by Logitech, although newer Eye Toys are manufactured by Nam Tai. The camera is mainly used for playing Eye Toy games developed by Sony and other companies. It is not intended for use as a normal PC camera, although some people have developed unofficial drivers for it ^[2]

History

The EyeToy was originally thought of by Dr Richard Marks, who had the idea of connecting a web camera to a PlayStation 2 and using it to play games with. The idea of using cameras in games is not new, as used previously in many arcade games and toys such as the Game Boy Camera, but with the resolution of modern cameras and the processing power of the PlayStation 2 there were new ideas possible. The idea was taken up by S.C.E.E. London Studio, who showed a concept in 2002 with four games. The idea was a success and the hardware was released in Europe in July 2003 along with its first real game, EyeToy: Play. The sequel to the EyeToy will come out in late 2006 with High-definition capabilities and supported by the PlayStation 3.

Design

The EyeToy features a compact design which is intended to be placed on top of the console or television. The camera is mounted on a pivot, allowing for easy positioning and focusing; focusing the camera is performed by rotating a ring around the lens. It comes with two LED lights on the front. A blue light turns on when the PS2 is on, indicating that it is ready to be used, while the red light flashes when there is insufficient light in the room. There is also a microphone built in, for uses such as recording a short video message for someone. There is a second model of the camera with the same features only sporting a smaller size and silver caseing.

Technical limitations

Due to the camera's need to "see" the player as they play, the camera can be very finicky about how much light is in the room. Different games have a different tolerance for varying light conditions, with the most touchy of them all being EyeToy: Antigrav. To help let the player know when there is not enough light, there is a red LED on the front of the camera that flashes when it is too dark. This is limited by the fact that it will not flash red when only some of the screen is too dark to detect.

In response to these limitations, Sony has filed a patent for a "wand" controller capable of illuminating different coloured LEDs in order to communicate the controller's position and simple commands to the camera. [3]

Technical Information

The eyetoy USB Camera is an OmniVision OV519 Video Device

The sensor used by it is an OmniVision OV7648

When plugged into a PC USB port it is detected as a Logitech Web Camera. To be able to use it as a PC webcam however, you must have the correct drivers. These drivers are easily available on the internet, mostly with instructions.

Games

File:Eyetoybox.jpg

The EyeToy Box. Games can optionally come with an Eye Toy included.

Designed for EyeToy

EyeToy: Play (Sony, 2003)
EyeToy: Groove (Sony, 2003)
EyeToy: Antigrav (Sony, 2004)
Sega SuperStars (Sega, 2004)
U Move Super Sports (Konami, 2004)
EyeToy: Chat (Sony, 2004) - a videophone system for use with the network adaptor
EyeToy: Play 2 (Sony, 2004)
Disney Move (Ubisoft, 2004)
Nicktoons Movin' (THQ, 2004)
EyeToy: Monkey Mania (Sony, 2005)
EyeToy: Kinetic (Sony, 2005)
EyeToy: Tales (Sony, TBA)
EyeToy: EduKids (Sony, 2005)
EyeToy: Fight (Sony, TBA)
EyeToy: Play 3 (Sony, 2005)
EyeToy: Operation Spy (Sony, 2005)
Eyedentify (Sony, TBA) (PlayStation 3)
Clumsy Shumsy (Phoenix Games Ltd. [UK/NL], 2005)
Rhythmic Star (Namco, 2006)

Optional EyeToy features

These games have an "EyeToy Enhanced" label on the box.

SingStar (Sony, 2004) - singers can optionally see themselves when singing
SingStar Party (Sony) - singers can optionally see themselves when singing
SingStar Pop (Sony) - singers can optionally see themselves when singing
SingStar 80's (Sony) - singers can optionally see themselves when singing
SingStar Rocks (Sony) - singers can optionally see themselves when singing
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (EA, 2004) - features EyeToy minigames
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme / Dancing Stage Fusion (Konami, 2004)
The Urbz: Sims in the City (EA, 2004) - players can have their faces on in-game billboards
Jackie Chan Adventures (Sony, 2004) - features Eye Toy minigames
LMA Manager 2005 (Codemasters, 2004) - players can have their pictures on in-game newspapers
Get On Da Mic (Eidos, 2004) - players can see their performance
SingStar Party (Sony, 2004)
The Polar Express (THQ, 2004)
AFL Premiership 2005 (Sony. Also see section Cameo.)
The Sims 2 (console versons)
Buzz! The Music Quiz (Sony, late 2005)
Buzz! The Big Quiz (Sony, March 2006)

Note: AFL Premiership 2005 is only available in Australia.

Cameo

EyeToy: Cameo is a system for allowing players to include their own images as avatars in other games. Games that support the feature include a sophisticated head scanning program that can be used to generate a 3D model of the player's head. Once stored on a memory card, this file is then available in games that support the Cameo feature. EyeToy: Cameo licenses the head creation technology from Digimask.

Games supporting EyeToy: Cameo

This Is Football 2005 (Sony, 2004)
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (Activision, 2004)
EyeToy: Play 2 (Sony, 2004)
Formula One 05 (Sony, 2005)
Gretzky NHL 2005 (EA, 2004)
World Tour Soccer 2006 (Sony, 2005)
AFL Premiership 2005 (Sony, released early September 2005.)
Gaelic Games: Football
MLB 2005 (989 Sports, 2003)
MLB '06: The Show (Sony, 2006)
Karaoke Revolution Party (Konami, 2005)
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Activision, 2005)