Sony Entertainment has announced the arrival of its next-generation 'PlayStation Eye' camera.

The company says that 'PlayStation Eye' is an essential accessory for voice, video chat, and online gaming that will enable gamers to enjoy their PlayStation3 (PS3) experience like never before.

Designed specifically for PS3, and featuring huge advances in USB camera and microphone technology, Sony claims that 'PlayStation Eye' is set to revolutionize the experience of both interactive gaming and online communication on the PlayStation Network.

According to the company, the sophistication of 'PlayStation Eye' complements the advanced features and capabilities of PS3, as it expands on the market-leading heritage of EyeToy USB camera for PlayStation 2.

The key features of the 'PlayStation Eye' include a sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on the spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition; the ability to capture videos and audio clips directly to a PS3 hard drive; a range of different capturing modes like slow-motion and time-lapse; a range of eye-catching visual effects to apply to photos and videos; and a free EyeCreate editing software, which allows users to save and edit photos, video, and audio clips.

Besides, a frame rate of up to 120 frames per second allows for super-smooth video, and sophisticated low-light operation means that the room does not have to be brightly lit for the camera to deliver crisp, perfectly exposed video. The adjustable zoom lens features a 56-degree field of view to capture head and shoulders action for close-in audio-visual chat, and a 75-degree field of view to capture the whole body for a fully physical gaming experience.

Talking about the product, Richard Marks, Researcher and Developer at Sony Computer Entertainment America, said, "With the release of 'PlayStation Eye', we will be able to dramatically enhance the consumer's PS3 experience. Beyond audio/video chat and the ability to save videos to your PS3 hard drive, 'PlayStation Eye' opens up a whole new world of entertainment options, and adds a new dimension to games across multiple genres."

Meanwhile, 'PlayStation Eye' is scheduled for release this summer in the US and Europe. The pricing is not yet available.