Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000
Starting at: $39.95
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Lara Luepke
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: Flexible stand; adjustable camera; call button launches contacts; can post photos to blogs through software.
The bad: Call button gets in the way while adjusting; must install Windows Live Messenger; subpar video effects; delay in starting video.
The bottom line: The Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 offers unique features such as the ability to post photos directly to a blog, but its video effects and image quality don't stand up to that of competing Webcams from veteran manufacturers.
The LifeCam VX-6000's small, ring-shaped base is stable and works for a variety of mounting situations. When collapsed, the ring is great for desktop mounting, and by unfolding the base into an L-shape hook, the stand can be securely mounted on a thin notebook screen or an LCD monitor. The stand also flips flat in order to hook onto the top of a CRT monitor. It's one of the more flexible and stable Webcams we've tested. The LifeCam VX-6000 is also easy to maneuver: the head swivels 360 degrees and tilts 45 degrees down and 90 degrees up. This adjustability is impressive compared with the Logitech QuickCam Fusion's, which only offers 90 degrees of vertical movement. A large button on top of the LifeCam VX-6000 works with Windows Live Messenger to launch a list of contacts you can call. Unfortunately, the button is so prominent and easy to activate that we launched the call center almost every time we adjusted the Webcam.
The Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 comes with a single CD that includes drivers and software for taking pictures and video clips. To install the Webcam, you also need to install Windows Live Messenger (currently in beta)--the install wizard takes you to the proper page on Microsoft's site and leads you through the installation. Microsoft doesn't include excessive extras like Creative's Webcams do, but it packs the essentials all within the Microsoft LifeCam software: you can take still photos, shoot videos, and edit with either Windows Movie Maker or Microsoft Paint.
Like most Webcam software, the Microsoft LifeCam suite is easy to use. Three buttons on top of the screen let you choose from taking a still photo, recording audio, or recording video. On the left, a button launches a window that lets you choose video resolution. You can choose to capture photos in the same resolution you've selected for video or set photo resolution separately. Microsoft includes a dashboard that lets you add cartoon characters and backgrounds to the image; but the video effects aren't as impressive as Creative's or Logitech's. The dashboard also includes LifeCam navigational controls, such as pan and zoom. There's also a button at the bottom of the window that launches the Windows Live Space blogging tool where you can post pictures to your blog--a feature we haven't seen in any other Webcams. The blog button won't work until Microsoft updates Live Space, expected by June 15, 2006.
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Most Helpful User Review
stars 10 of 14 users found this review helpful
"Not worth the money!" By NavyMustang
Pros Easy to install and good mic quality.
Cons Everything else!
Summary I purchased this camera at Best Buy yesterday, and have already decided to return it. I'm a bit surprised that there aren't more reviews here on C-Net about this camera, but I hope this one helps prospective buyers!
Out of the box, the camera and software are extremely ... Expand full review
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Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Video Input / Camera Type: Web camera
- Interfaces: 1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
- Software type: Drivers & Utilities
