EMEET Nova 4K Webcam Review: Solid Image, Quirky Software

The EMEET Nova 4K keeps showing up in Amazon's recommendations at roughly half the price of a Logitech, which makes you wonder where the catch is. There is a catch, but it isn't the video. EMEET's Nova 4K streams at a decent quality 4K, utilizes AI for framing, and features a Sony CMOS sensor. But the real problem here is the software, specifically trying to navigate through their EMEETLink interface.

Is there really a difference of choice when deciding whether to go with the expensive Logitech MX Brio or the Elgato Facecam Pro? It all depends on your actual needs. If you are looking for something that simply plugs into a USB port and works, forget about it, this isn't the right camera. However, if you do not have an aversion to adjusting settings and would like 4K video quality without having to spend half of what other companies will cost you for the same thing, then the Nova 4K may be a viable alternative. Below is a listing of both what I found to be positive aspects, negative aspects, and comparisons to cameras priced similarly.

Image Quality and the Sony Sensor

The camera has a Sony Starvis Sensor (a type of CMOS Image Sensor) as well as a Fixed-Focus Lens. The manufacturer places a lot of emphasis on the camera's ability to record at 4K, and the fact that it uses a Sony chip, and I think they have some right to do so. The picture produced by this camera is quite good for what you pay for. Under ideal lighting conditions, the camera produces an excellent image with good color reproduction and very natural looking skin tones.

While the camera may not produce images that are anywhere near as clear as those from an Elgato Facecam Pro, it does represent a significant improvement over most 1080p webcams that have been released in the past five years.

By default, the actual 4K video stream that goes to your viewer will be at 30 frames per second, which limits it. To get a 60 frame per second video, you will have to reduce your video output down to 1080p resolution. This is very common with all webcams of similar quality and price. At 30 frames per second, 4K video will work great for talking head style videos, conference calls or pre-recorded tutorial videos.

However, if you're going to do fast action gaming type live streaming, motion blur will matter greatly. So even though you can go to 1080p at 60 fps, we highly recommend doing so. Most reviewers say that the picture quality is "good for the price." When this camera was brought up on the Reddit Twitch subreddit community they all said the same thing.

Low-light is probably where the most difference will be seen. While the Nova 4K supports both HDR and Noise Reduction, you'll need to use the EMEETLink software to enable them correctly. In its factory default settings, when shooting low light images, the camera typically has one of two major problems, crushing shadows or blowing out highlights. Auto Exposure can also hunt for the correct exposure setting. However, once you've taken some time to adjust your manual exposure settings, the low-light performance from this camera will hold their own.

AI Framing, Auto-Tracking, and What Actually Works

EMEET marketing focuses a lot on their AI capabilities. They have auto-framing, multi-person framing (a feature that automatically detects and frames multiple people), and a 360 degree rotatable base that will physically rotate the camera. I've used this product primarily to frame one person sitting at a computer. For me, it worked fairly well in that use case. It kept my face framed within the center of the image and zoomed in tighter than a standard fixed-framed webcam. This is beneficial for video conferencing when I don't want to crop myself out but also do not need to see everything around me.

The group framing for two to three people is also a bit of trial-and-error. Group framing works best with good lighting and placement, however it can be very difficult to keep this consistent as someone will inevitably lean forward or backward causing the camera angle to shift around and be distracting for viewers on your stream. Many users have opted to turn off the AI framing feature and simply use manual framing. In my opinion, the manual framing option usually provides the most professional looking results.

The 360 degree universal joint is probably the most interesting piece of hardware in this unit. You can turn the camera all the way around so you are pointing at anything on your desk or even what is behind you, which is really handy when doing product demonstrations, white boards, or simply to show your pet. Reviewers say that there are many "settings to mess with" and the joint is part of those. It is not motorized as some PTZ cameras are (such as the EMEET PIXY) so you will have to manually rotate it. However it does give you an amount of flexibility that a static mount cannot.

EMEETLink Software, the Real Pain Point

The Nova 4K has a lot of good will lost here. EMEETLink is the application for controlling your camera settings, using AI for image enhancements, and for making some image adjustments. While it does work properly, I would describe it as an unpolished version of what could be called beta software. In fact, several users have commented on Reddit with statements that suggest they think that "the app for it isn't the best."

The interface for this app can be messy, some of your preferences will be reset when there is an update, and a few of the better features of the program that would be most beneficial are hidden from view at least three levels down in the menu system. A user with a Mac will have a much more difficult time using this app as compared to a Windows user. While the Mac version has been less successful than the Windows version, the bugs will still occur occasionally. If the AI Framing feature is turned off, it may turn back on again.

Once you've got the configuration set up right, you're usually good to go for a while. If you don't update, all of your configurations will remain in place even after a reboot. On the downside, there are going to be updates. And occasionally those updates are going to blow away your custom configuration.

So, for users who just need their webcam to work and have no interest in spending 60 minutes or so getting it configured correctly, yes, this is likely to be a major negative factor. Those users who are willing to put in the time to configure things properly generally find the camera to work well over the longer term.

Plug-and-Play vs Tweaking

While the Nova 4K has a built-in webcam if you don't want to mess with software then it's certainly not that option. The defaults on this camera are subpar. It will take you some time using the EMEETLink program to get your white balance adjusted, your exposure just right, and get all the artificial intelligence settings configured so they don't fight you. At which point the camera works as intended.

The Logitech MX Brio is much better looking and working than the Nova 4K from an out-of-the-box perspective. The Elgato Facecam Pro is cleaner in how it exposes its DSLR style controls. Both cameras cost more money due to their polish.

How It Compares to the Logitech MX Brio

The Logitech MX Brio is the best value for your money. It has an 8.5MP Sony Sensor that can record true 4K at 30 FPS. The Brio also uses the Logi Options+ software, which provides a far superior user experience compared to EMEETLink. Additionally, it offers Show Mode allowing you to view your desktop by tilting the camera downward, like the Nova's 360 degree swivel joint but without all of the mechanical movement.

The MX Brio has the edge when it comes to overall quality of the images produced, and will give you greater dynamic range and consistent colors than the Nova. Although the MX Brio is generally about twice as much money as the Nova, even on sale, for the business video conferencing user who cannot risk having their equipment fail during an important meeting or call, then the MX Brio would be your best choice.

If you are going to use the Nova for live video streaming or pre-recorded content where you can spend some time adjusting settings, then you'll get 80% of the visual quality that you'd get from the MX Brio, but at about half the price. The MX Brio may also work better with the built-in framing and background removal tools within Microsoft Teams, and since many people work in corporate environments, this is something to think about.

The Brio has a much sturdier clip mounting system as well. That means when you make an adjustment to the mount position of your Brio, your camera doesn't shift at all in the middle of a Zoom meeting. It may seem like a small thing, however anyone who has ever seen their webcam slowly sagging in the middle of a Zoom meeting knows what I am talking about.

Elgato Facecam Pro: The Streaming Step-Up

The Elgato Facecam Pro is truly in another league altogether. Like all of Elgato's webcams, the Facecam Pro can do real 4K at 60 FPS, uses a Sony Starvis 2 sensor, has a real optical lens that you control manually, and outputs uncompressed video. This is what you purchase when you intend your webcam to be used as the camera for your live streams and you want your webcam to appear as though it were some miniature version of a mirrorless camera.

Streaming at high quality costs money. This particular product will also require a true USB 3.0 port that can send data at speeds of uncompressed 4K at 60 fps as well. If you are a pro streamer for Twitch or YouTube who wants an image that elicits messages from fans asking what your camera was, then I would say look into this. On the other hand if you just use your computer to do video conferencing calls, or casually stream online content then this product is going too far.

The Camera Hub software from Elgato is much better than EMEETLink. The Camera Hub has full control over how bright or dark images appear, allows users to manually focus their images and gives them a simple-to-use interface for making color adjustments without having to fight through the software.

The Elgato Facecam Pro does not include AI-based framing or automatic tracking. This was an intentional decision by the creators of Elgato. They feel that as with all professional cameras, it will be up to you the user to frame your shot, similar to how a true camera op would do their job. If you need something with AI-based options, I'd recommend looking at either the EMEET Nova 4K or the EMEET PIXY PTZ.

EMEET PIXY: The Stablemate With Actual Tracking

If you like EMEET as a company and wish to have a more sophisticated camera than the Nova 4K, then the PIXY is EMEET's dual-lens AI PTZ webcam. The main difference between this model and the Nova 4K is that the PIXY is an actual motorized PTZ camera. With the Nova 4K, you are using software AI to frame you in real-time and with the PIXY, you will be able to use an actual motorized head to follow you throughout the room.

The PIXY has a much higher price tag than the Nova, but it does compete with other products such as the Insta360 Link 2 and Obsbot Tiny 2 that are designed for AI-based tracking of webcams. The PIXY is also available at B&H if you prefer that retailer. If you will be teaching, presenting, or recording while moving during your video recording, then using a motorized camera to track you would be very beneficial. Otherwise if you have a simple set up and you'll just be sitting there talking head style, then the Nova will suffice.

EMEETLink controls the PIXY as well, so all the same issues regarding software will still exist. I know if you are already having to fight EMEETLink with the Nova that the PIXY should be no surprise. If this is your very first EMEET product, you can also expect a bit of a learning curve.

Microphones, Privacy Cover, and the Hardware

The Nova 4K contains two built in mics that have some type of noise canceling feature. These mics will work as a backup. However, I would recommend using another source for the main audio. As webcam mics they can be somewhat weak and pick up on other background noises such as typing on keyboards. If you want better sounding audio, plug in a dedicated USB mic, even a basic model, and let the Nova do video. The same advice holds true for the MX Brio and Facecam Pro.

For the most part, anything that will be on camera should use something better than the overhead lights in your home. One of the biggest upgrades I have made to my video quality was purchasing a very inexpensive ring light for video conferencing. The improvement in video quality with this light is greater than the improvement in video quality when moving from an older 1080p web cam to the Nova 4K. Front facing soft light can greatly enhance how well a webcam performs. This is true regardless of which webcam you are using. Even though it may look pretty good under the right conditions, if there is not enough good light, then no webcam will perform well.

The physical privacy slider for the Nova's lens covers it and can be a relatively small yet important feature to many users. A lot of reviewers comment on how they like the sliding privacy feature. In terms of the rest of the build quality, the body of the camera is made of plastic, but it does not feel cheap. The universal swivel ball looks sturdy. I was also disappointed in the length of the USB-C cord. It is very short and the USB-C connector cannot be removed from the end. If you are going to use a computer that is far enough away from your monitor so that you have trouble reaching from one to another, you will need to get an extension or a USB-C hub.

Who the Nova 4K Is For

The Nova 4K is most suitable for the user who requires 4K-quality images and does not have a problem investing one hour of their time into learning how to use this product. Also, if the price is important, users do not want to spend money on products made by Logitech or Elgato. This can be a good choice for hobbyist streamers, as well as other types of casual content producers such as podcast videos, people creating second camera streams using multiple cameras. In addition, it may appeal to those that were previously interested in buying a used DSLR with a capture card and wanted a much easier option.

This isn't for large-scale fleets that are purchased by an IT department and then left alone. This isn't for professional streamers using a high end camera with uncompressed 4K at 60 frames per second or other DSLR style manual controls. And this is likely going to cost too much money for anyone looking for the absolute best webcam experience available.

If you are upgrading from a 1080p webcam and expect an improved image quality than your old one, at a cost that does not break the bank, then the Nova 4K Webcam is a good option. The only caveat being the software it comes with. Anybody looking for the best webcam for streaming will find the Nova 4K Webcam frequently mentioned in many of the popular Reddit forums for live streamers. In addition, most people agree that the picture quality is very good, however, they also agreed that the software was frustrating. Overall, the Nova 4K Webcam is a good product but may be worth the extra money to avoid some of the frustrations associated with its software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EMEET Nova 4K actually 4K?

Yes, the Nova 4K produces a genuine 3840x2160 video feed at 30 frames per second utilizing a Sony Starvis sensor. There is no upscaling. The output can be reduced to 1080p for 60 fps operation.

How does the Nova 4K compare to the Logitech MX Brio?

The Logitech MX Brio is superior in terms of software, picture quality and has a Show Mode feature that allows you to capture your desktop at all times. The Nova is superior due to its ability to adjust up and down 360 degrees and it is available at approximately half the price. Use the Brio when making business calls and use the Nova when you are looking for a bargain.

Does the Nova 4K work on Mac?

Video conferencing via Zoom and Teams using the EMEETLink app functions with ease in basic plug-and-play use on a Mac, however the app is much less polished and lacks many of the features available on Windows.

Is the EMEETLink software required?

The EMEETLink app is required for using all features of the Nova 4K, however it will show up as a standard UVC webcam in most applications that support webcams. Therefore, there are no software issues with viewing video through any video application.

What's the best alternative if I want true 4K60?

The Elgato Facecam Pro is obviously the next step. True 4K60 uncompressed video with manual controls plus you get Camera Hub software. This costs a lot more than the base model, but if you are a serious streamer wanting to have your webcam image quality on par with mirrorless cameras this is the way to go.

Can I use the Nova 4K with OBS for streaming?

Yes, OBS views it as a normal webcam source. You can stream at either 4K at 30 FPS or 1080p at 60 FPS, whichever you have enough CPU power for, and that will allow you to have enough internet bandwidth for the rest of your streaming setup. Most people would be better off with 1080p at 60 FPS because 4K takes a lot of encoding overhead, which uses a significant portion of your overall CPU usage when using a software encoder such as x264, and most of the time the end user wouldn't even be able to tell the difference in quality from an average bitrate on a computer screen.