This is a simple review. The short answer is if you are looking for a PC web camera that is affordable and easy to use this is the only one to consider.
*** UPDATE - Not anymore See my review of the:
Logitech QUICKCAM PRO 9000 Web Cam ***
Start at the beginning.
I work at night and my wife and I talk through IM to each other all the time. We decided it might be fun to get a web cam so I could see her while I was working. My first stop was Epinions. After searching the reviews of several web cams I decided on this one. It seemed to have the best stats for a price that was reasonable.
The only on line store listed that was selling it had a horrible record on Epinions so I decided to look elsewhere for the camera. After checking my local Computer chains with no success I went directly to Creative Labs website. Buying from them was as easy as the internet should be so no complaints. Shipping was fast and reasonably priced. My only complaint was that they charged me for tax. If this matters to you check to see if they have to charge tax to ship to your state not all states require them to.
The camera arrived 3 days after I bought it. We quickly unpacked it and set about installing it on our Win XP computer. The directions we clear and strait forward. WARNING! Read the directions. You MUST install the included drivers BEFORE plugging in the camera.
The install was fast. Included on the CD ROM were several programs that can be used with the camera. I can’t recommend them too much. They are what you would expect with free bundled software. Clunky interfaces and limited functions. There are many great programs that will give you a lot more versatility out there. But they are all fairly small programs and installed in just a few minutes so if you’re not too concerned with HD space just install them anyhow.
After the full install of drivers and software (about 10 minutes) it asks you to reboot. The instructions say to then plug in the Camera and included headset microphone. More on the microphone later. We did this and windows came up with the usual install wizard. We selected the default auto set up and let it run. In about 1 minute we got the notice that the camera was installed and ready to use. Seconds later the camera setup automatically comes up to test the camera. It was working perfectly but if the picture was glitchy it has options to tweak the picture. I had no need to.
We immediately launched Microsoft IM to test the camera. Clicking on the send video option on IM launched a brief setup for MS IM it was working perfectly. I IMed my wife sitting next to me so I was able to see the picture on her end as well as mine. It was very clear and smooth. A lot better than I had expected. In low light I was even more surprised. With no lights on in out computer room using only the light from the monitor the picture was a bit grainy but all in all quite good. I could clearly see my face but my black shirt gave the image the look of a floating head. A change of shirts to a lighter color resolved that issue.
Although it does boast a good to high photo camera function I have yet to use it because the camera only works tethered to the PC and I really cant think of any reason to have a tethered photo camera tethered to the PC. Maybe it would be more useful on a laptop. Also the video recording capabilities are underwhelming. Beyond basic video for the web it really wont be suitable for much. And again there is the issue of having to have it attached to a PC. Just get a digital video camera if you need something to record the family picnic dragging around even a laptop with this thing is simply not practical.
Remember this is really a "Web Cam" not a video camera and you wont be disappointed.
A few bad points to touch on.
First the base as others have pointed out is rather useless. Also they have permanently attached the camera to the base so if you wanted to remove it you would have to unscrew the whole thing. A bit of Velcro and the base is a little more stable but the design really does need some work.
The headset earphone/mic is really not thought out at all. The headpiece is uncomfortable and barely holds on to your head. The earpiece has no padded cover so the plastic is directly against your ear and the boom microphone is large and way to heavy for the flimsy headset to support. All in all a useless freebee like the software bundle.
Final word. This is a "Web Cam" not a "Video Camera." Keep that in mind when buying it and it is well worth the money. Clear picture even in very low light. No gitters or freeze ups even over MS IM. All the free extras that they send with it are just that free extras they are worth free but not much more.
