Platforms:Windows Vista, Windows Xp Color:blue Media:Electronics Autographed:No Memorabilia:No Shipping Weight (lbs):3 Dimensions (in):0 x 0 x 0 Warranty:3 years warranty
Product Description The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 features Windows Live compatibility, world class VGA optics, superior low-light performance and a fun flexible design. Share more experiences with family and friends.
After laboring to install it, it works as well as I could hope for.January 6, 2009 I would like to say before I attempt to tell you my thoughts on this Webcam that I have never used one before, and I do not find that I should use it in the near future. It is, however, a very engaging little device. For what I thought it was and what it did, it did great but with a quip that was quite annoying and that is why I knocked off a star. Here goes for you prospective buyers.
It is a very small box shaped camera about a 2 inch square that has a very adjustable, flexible hook that can shape into just about anything to fit and grip it to anything you should please. The picture quality is as good as I would want it, much like cheap camcorder, and this is without adequate lighting. It looks like many a number of webcam shots around the web, low in the light department, light graininess, and not very sharp. So this is what I was expecting and that is what was delivered. It starts up fast, and overall a very simple easy to use cam. There was one thing, it was less than major but pretty annoying, which I will get too after the very fun Pro's/Con's list!
Pros: 1. inexpensive 2. easy to setup 3. small 4. very easy to use 5. video phone capable
Cons: Took about an hour to install the program!
This is what I was telling you about. I put in the CD, and it had to download and install for over an hour before I could finish installing the software, which was only a cam program, nothing ostentatious and nothing complex. And this is without installing the Windows Messenger service that it recommended.
All in all it was as good a cam as can be expected from someone not expecting anything. It worked for every purpose that I thought it would be good for (take pictures, video messaging) but it took an hour to install a minimal type program, which was uncalled for. All in all give it a shot even though it makes you work for it.
GreatJanuary 6, 2009 I bought one for me and one for my parents. Very easy to use, great quality for the money.
Great little webcam!January 6, 2009 OK - the MS Lifecam VX-5000 is the only webcam I've tried (other than the $2000 Sonys I installed at work). For $35 or so its great. Simply to install - nice quality picture - software is pretty straight forward. Bought each of my adult kids one for Christmas so now we can all video chat - for free! This is way cool - even a baby boomer can do it!
Average PerformerJanuary 6, 2009 This webcam was immediatewly recognized by the PC. Color balance not the best, though. Easily configurable base to rest on any monitor. Works well with Skype.
Inexpensive Cute Camera - Well worth it!January 5, 2009 Microsoft's LifeCam VX-5000 is very small, the camera also has a colored ring that goes all the around the face. This ring comes in red, blue and green. The camera which I got has a blue ring. A blue LED is placed in the upper left hand corner of the face that turns on when the camera is in use. It is good to see that this LED is very dim. Having a Bright Blue LED flashing at you can be very annoying.
Video is recording done with the following resolutions, frame rates and bitrates in WMV video with 160kbps WMA audio.
Images are taken at 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240 and 160x120 in jpeg format. Audio is recorded in WMA at 48 kbps, mono
PROS:
[+] Very Small and Inexpensive camera [+] Decent Audio and Video Quality [+] Flexible Base which adapts to almost all places for placement of the camera [+] The glossy black plastic looks great, feels great and looks well built. [+] Low video and image noise with comparable USB webcams [+] USB powered, No Need for additional power supply needs. [+] Nice array of video overlays and effects that can be added for fun.
CONS:
[-] 640x480 video only runs at 15fps that can cause jitters on the video [-] The software is very basic and does not have additional customizations. [-] 1.3 megapixel (1280x960) JPEG capture is not that good as it does heavy compression. [-] The Button on the camera works only when Windows Live Messenger software is installed.
The Webcam is recognized by Windows XP Professional (SP3) without any need for additional drivers and most applications (like Paint) could easily import the pictures as a USB video Device, But for Windows Vista (32Bit) it seems that even though it got recognized and drivers loaded it still needed the software CD to make it useable for most of the applications.
Bottom-line is that it is an inexpensive well designed Webcam which will surely serve it's purpose very well without much of a fuss. The Software is easy to use. This is a keeper, Money well spent.
amazon store
Buy Tascam from Our affiliate store , safe up to 30%!
