Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.5 stars OK
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 6.0
  Features : 6.0
  Performance : 4.0
  Overall score: 5.0 (2.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Matthew Elliott
• Reviewed on: 11/12/2007
• Released on: 09/12/2007

Only regular users of Windows Live Messenger or Live Spaces bloggers should consider the Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000, and even then, I'd recommend Microsoft's cheaper laptop Webcam, the LifeCam NX-3000. At its list price of $99, the LifeCam VX-7000 cannot compete with Logitech's excellent $99 Webcam, the QuickCam Pro 9000. The Logitech camera boasts far superior image quality, and Logitech's QuickCam software offers more functionality and a better interface. Like the QuickCam Pro 9000, the VX-7000 features a 2-megapixel sensor, but if you use any resolution above 640x480, the resulting video is choppy. And at lower resolutions, in low or even moderate light, the video becomes very grainy. Simply put, there are better Webcams out there than the LifeCam VX-7000.

Installing the LifeCam VX-7000 is a simple, three-step process. Install the LifeCam software, install Windows Live Messenger, then connect the Webcam via USB. The Webcam itself is very compact at 2.7 inches wide by 1 inch tall, and the sturdy, two-hinged stand works equally well on a desk, an LCD monitor, or a laptop lid. The rubberized contact points mean the Webcam isn't easily dislodged, but the upper hinge that connects the stand to the camera offers a small range of adjustment.

The LifeCam app is sparse. Along the top are three buttons for snapping a photo, recording an audio clip, and recording video. Along the bottom, your most recent recording--photo, audio, or video--is listed as a thumbnail in the bottom-left corner of the window. (More useful would be highlighting the last few videos or photos as with Logitech's QuickCam app.) A button in the lower-right corner lets you e-mail the last clip or photo recorded, but the service doesn't support Web-based e-mail, including Hotmail. Even if you sign up with a corporate a school e-mail account, you're forced to tell the LifeCam software what type of mail server you use (POP or IMAP) and the name of the incoming and outgoing mail servers. Microsoft, why include this button if I'm forced to play 20 questions? The help file suggests I contact my ISP to track down this necessary information to e-mail a Webcam video clip or photo. Really, I'll just go ahead and attach the file myself.

If the last item you've recorded using the LifeCam software is a photo, the button next to the ill-conceived e-mail button lets you upload a photo to your Live Spaces page, should you have one. It's simple to do, but then again, uploading a photo any blog service is just as easy. And it'd be more useful to list more than just the last clip or photo recorded as is done with Logitech QuickCam app. A third button in the lower-right corner opens up the LifeCam Files folder, where all of your clips and photos are stored.

The LifeCam VX-7000 is optimized for use with Microsoft's instant-messaging service. A button on the top of the Webcam calls up Windows Live Messenger, but not while you have the LifeCam app running. The Photo Swap feature lets you send photos while video chatting in Live Messenger, which is a cool feature for sharing photos and really the only feature I found useful in the software. Even the goofy video effects that come bundled can't compare with what you get from Logitech or Creative. Without any face tracking feature, for example, you don't get to play around with 3D avatars. And even the scenic overlays are lame compared with the video effects available with Creative's and Logitech's Webcams.

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Where to buy

Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000: $41.00 - $89.99

store	price	in stock?	rating
Amazon.com Marketplace	$41.00	Yes
	$69.99	Yes
	$45.10	See Site
	$69.00	Yes
	$69.99	Yes

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Compare prices for Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000

	Amazon.com Marketplace	$41.00
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	Amazon.com	$45.10
	J&R Music and Computer World	$69.00
	Circuit City	$69.99

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 7 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 3 of 7 user reviews

• 3.0 stars

  "Quick cam pro 9000 is better"

  by EbookSeeker on April 26, 2009

• 1.0 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "Poor, do not buy"

  by irfan_bugmenot on July 9, 2008

• 1.0 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "Worst webcam I have ever used"

  by jasonvega on June 10, 2008

• See all 7 user reviews Write review

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 85

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 96 reviews of Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 61/100 and users 71/100. Comparing these reviews to 30031 other Webcams reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 85/100 = Very Good.

  Read full review

• computershopper.com

  Editors' rating: 66

  Summary: This high-def Webcam promises plenty of features but stutters with high-resolution video.

  Read full review

• photographypress.co.uk

  Editors' rating: 70

  Summary: An average webcam for video communication, offering good picture quality. Minor niggles (stand and lead length) let the device down slightly

  Read full review

• everythingusb.com

  Summary: MS LifeCam VX-7000 USB webcam performs very well as a video conferencing and video podcasting tool, and the tight integration between Microsoft multimedia products is an excellent bonus. However the blurry video capture at higher resolutions makes an ...

  Read full review

• pocket-lint.com

  Editors' rating: 70

  Summary: An average webcam for video communication, offering good picture quality. Minor niggles (stand and lead length) let the device down slightly

  Read full review

• pcmag.com

  Summary: Microsoft's high-end webcam delivers midrange performance and features. Most users will be happier with competing models from Creative and Logitech.

  Read full review