Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 (68A-00001)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
|
Share life as it happens - is easy with Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000. Take instant messaging with friends and family to a new level of sight and sound - with Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000. This webcam is compatible with all leading instant messaging software, making it simple and fun to use. Great video quality and features, plus crystal-clear sound, make you feel like you're there!
Product Features
* Excellent video quality and high definition still photos
* Software Automatic face tracking
* Video Effects
* Pan, tilt and zoom controls
* Automatically adjusts for low light conditions for improved video quality
Built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation
* Windows Live ™ Call Button
* Fits most monitors, including flat screens or sits directly on your desktop
LifeCam VX-3000 System Requirements
* Windows ® 7, Windows Vista ® or Windows ® XP Home / Pro / Media Center Edition / Tablet PC Edition with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later
* Intel Pentium ® III processor at 550 MHz (Intel Pentium 4 1.4 GHz recommended) or higher
* 300 MB of free space
* Sound card with speakers or headphones
* USB 1.1 (USB 2.0 recommended);
* CD drive
* Internet functions (post to Windows Live Spaces, send email, video calls) also require: Broadband (cable, DSL or other) modem
# Buy Now & See Special Offers and Product Promotions
# Search Amazon.com for Microsoft LifeCam
Customer Review
>> See all 615 customer review
Exactly what I wanted,
My high-end Logitech Fusion webcam never worked properly on a consistent basis with my system. Logitech support wasn't able to help so I finally gave up and decided to try the LifeCam VX-3000.
The LifeCam VX-3000 is my 5th webcam since the late 90's. So far, it's the best I've ever used. My main purpose for the webcam was to communicate with my family in another state, in both video and audio. I have to say, mission accomplished.
The size of the VX-3000 is more dimunitive in size than I expected. I included a photo so people get an idea. It looks a lot bigger in the photos than it really is. It also fits a lot snugger on my Dell 19 inch LCD monitor than did the Logitech. Because of the base design, I can put it flat on the desk or hook it on top of the monitor.
The main review I read from PC Magazine states that the mic did a poor job so I was a concerned as the audio is almost as important to me as the video. The fear was unfounded as I tested it with my family for over an hour and they could hear me just fine with only a slight echo when I placed it too close to my speakers.
The video resolution is 640x480, more than enough for my needs. The VX-6000 has higher resolution, but is also more than twice as expensive. I was very satisifed with the video and the low light support was excellent and worked better than the Logitech Fusion.
The Live Call button on top of the camera is actually a nuisance when trying to adjust the angle of the camera. I don't see myself ever using it and only works with Windows Live Messenger anyways. The cam itself swivels vertically and horizontally. The vertical swivel is actually quite stiff so you need to hold the cam with both hands to adjust. I guess it's a good thing so that the cam doesn't get out of position easily. The cord is also a decent length so if you want to pick the camera up and move it around, it gives you some freedom to do so.
The only thing lacking that I would have wanted is a sliding lens cover, both to protect the lens and for privacy. I went back and forth on wanting the VX-3000 and the VX-6000. The comparison table shows that the VX-6000's only benefits are 3x digital zoom, high-speed USB and a wide angle lens. I know that the video resolution is also higher. For me, I didn't need the digital zoom. Also, I didn't know that there was a difference in USB. I thought all USB 2.0 was "high-speed." The instructions on the webcam recommend connecting to USB 2.0 so what exactly is "high-speed?" The wide angle lens would've been great, but not worth the extra cost. Certainly, the two most compelling reasons to get the VX-6000 is the wide angle lens and the higher video resolution. Based on my needs, the better value was the VX-3000.
The version of the drivers that came on CD-ROM with the cam was 1.1 but I downloaded 1.3 from Microsoft's website. I have to say that after some weeks of using Windows Live Messenger, it has a habit of getting disconnected quite often. My family has observed this as well. Until Microsoft remedies this, I may have to switch over to Google Talk with a video plug-in but the webcam itself, is exactly what I wanted.
Very frustrating experience on XP, hard to troubleshoot,
This so far is the most frustrating USB-connected hardware I've dealt with.
As soon as I installed the software from CD, I was able to see the image while going through the config wizard but soon the image froze and half a minute later the computer crashed with BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) diagnostic, that said it was an USB related STOP condition.
I searched MS support KB and found suggestion on limiting the USB bandwidth used - by unchecking "Auto" in configuration and decreasing the speed manually (I brought it from 6mbps to 3). After that the camera seemed to work more reliably and I could use it from Skype and Yahoo messenger.
Funny enough, the MS own provided LifeCam software wouldn't work with the camera. After I start it, I could go to the settings and preferences just fine, but the main window shows timeout message and all buttons are grayed out.
In a hope software update can solve the issue, I went for it. The software it came with on CD is v1.10, after installation checks and asks you to download an update that bumps it to v1.20. No good. I checked on Microsoft Hardware site and lo and behold, there is v1.30, which they offer you for the vx-3000. OK, so I install it - tough luck, LifeCam still doesn't work. At which point I decided that LifeCam is a heap of manure and uninstalled you - not to worry, the webcam drivers remain installed for use with Skype/Yahoo/other less fertilizing programs.
Here is a troubleshooting advice I learned from MS KB as well: if the camera doesn't get recognized anymore - which needless to say happened to me too, unplugging and re-plugging registers it as Unknown device and "Update Driver" couldn't recognize it anymore. In such a case go to Device Manager and delete anything under "Universal Serial Bus controllers", then let Windows rediscover and re-install the devices (eventually restart).
Tip #2: annoyed by the button on top always trying to fire up MSN messenger which you never use? No nice way to turn that off (what! dare you think of not using Microsoft's Live Messenger?!). So here is a hack: go to Program Files/Microsoft LiveCam directory, find and rename icepick.exe to icepick.ex_ . Ta-da - no more annoying popups while you were just trying to adjust the camera angle and hit that big button. Really advanced users can find in registry to path to icepick.exe and change it to a more useful program, like Skype.
Caveat emptor: the tips provided assume good knowledge of what you are doing, for example if you don't know what Device Manager is to return the camera and buy one that is not so darn difficult to install.
Good Camera - Some Issues Though,
I bought this webcam for both audio and video functionality. What I like about this webcam is:
1. Good picture quality (you can set low light mode from software settings if you want to use this webcam in average room light).
2. Tracks your face (This is not very well built feature though and can create some issues in video)
3. Good quality audio with room & speaker noise cancellation.
4. Good price point.
What I didn't like:
1. This is not a plug and play camera (as one of the other reviewer claimed it is). I like plug and play cameras because I can use them between different computers without loading 50MB software in each one.
Over all if I had to I will buy it again - its worth every cent.