Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500

Pros: Easy setup; well mostly... Image and sound seem adequate. Good value. Looks good. Funny hat and mask overlays follow your face movements pretty well. Impressive programming, but in actual use, only funny once for most adults. Folds for travel.

Cons: Too many to fit 250 character limit here. See Summary below.
Hey C-net, why can't we say much good or bad specifically, but we get 5000 characters to "Bottom-line summary"?

Summary: 1. The 20 minute broadband download of a pig of Microsoft software I had no interest in that was part of the install. (I know better than stopping mid-point. I've spent too many weeks fixing "features" MS "offered" me. Even uninstalling made me nervous.)
2. Many of the best advertised features (like noise cancellation, one touch button) only work if you use MS Everything, or Live Messenger anyway.
3. Many basic features (zoom, pan, etc.) don't work at the highest setting of the mere 640x480. I had to search online to find out why SO many features were grayed out.
4. Of all the video settings you can make, only the white balance Auto box can be checked. All other settings, like brightness, contrast, etc. are grayed out. Seems that should be driver dependent and not model dependent. ("model" is a setting, so the LifeCam interface is multi-product.)
5. Clip attachment is unstable. If I move my monitor closer or away, it slips around a bit. More "balance" than "clip"

For the price, you get acceptable image and sound. A good value.
BUT -- be aware of the over-hype of vapor features and the marketing strongarm tactics to indoctrinate you and your computer into the corporate cult.