The Sony PlayStation 3 Eye camera was originally released in 2007 as a peripheral for the PS3 console. Unlike standard webcams of its era, the PS3 Eye featured a high-speed sensor capable of capturing video at 60 frames per second (fps) at 640x480 resolution, and up to 120 fps at lower resolutions. This made it highly desirable for PC users interested in motion capture, augmented reality, and robotics.
However, Sony did not release official PC drivers. The "Universal PS3 Eye Driver" was created to fill this gap, allowing the device to be recognized as a standard DirectShow input device in Windows. Universal Ps3 Eye Driver 1.0 Beta 2
Before you begin, you need: a genuine Sony PS3 Eye camera (model SLEH-00448 or similar) and a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port (USB 3.0 works but offers no benefit). The Sony PlayStation 3 Eye camera was originally
The developers have hinted that the final 1.0 release (non-beta) will include: If you want to support development, consider contributing
If you want to support development, consider contributing to the project’s GitHub issue tracker or donating to the maintainers.
The longevity of this driver is due to the unique hardware specifications of the PS3 Eye, which remain relevant for specific professional and hobbyist applications:
| Application | Works? | Notes |
|-------------|--------|-------|
| OpenCV (Python/C++) | Yes | Use CAP_DSHOW + FourCC YUY2 |
| OBS Studio | Yes | Add Video Capture Device → PS3 Eye |
| Zoom / Teams | Partial | Microphone works; video only at 30 fps due to app limits |
| MATLAB imaqtool | Yes | Requires manual FourCC setting |
| Adobe Flash / WebRTC | No | Deprecated DirectShow communication |