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Creative WebCam Vista Pro

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:55:55 +0000

Point, capture and chat in high-resolution video

The ideal webcam for home or office use, Creative WebCam Vista Pro will spice up your internet chats with live video. Fitted with a high quality VGA CMOS sensor, Webcam Vista Pro allows you to broadcast high-resolution video and detailed images that you can share with friends and loved ones overseas – getting closer has never been easier.

Features

High Quality 640 x 480 (VGA) CMOS sensor – Capture still image and video at up to 640×480 resolution
Take photos quickly and easily with the Snapshot button
Compatible with both USB 2.0 and 1.1 – Extremely versatile, WebCam Vista Pro is compatible with computers that have either USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 connectivity.
Manual focus ring – Your video and snapshots are always sharp and in focus, thanks to the manual focus ring
Works with all instant messaging programs – Works with Yahoo!® Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN® Messenger, Windows®Messenger, and other instant messenger services

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Creative WebCam Vista IM

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:49:56 +0000

The simple choice for online communication!

Creative’s Live! Cam Vista IM is the modern webcam for video instant messaging. It’s a great choice for people who want to enjoy live webcam chatting or internet phone calls – especially as it comes complete with a lapel microphone. It’s easy to install via USB, simple to use, and can also capture still images and video clips. The sleek, compact design looks great and will adapt to any environment, thanks to its versatile four-way base. The Live! Cam Vista IM works with all instant messaging services including MSN and Yahoo! as well as Skype. It is supplied with Creative’s WebCam Center SE software for video and photo shooting.

Features

High resolution VGA sensor (640×480) gives crisp, detailed results during online video messaging and internet phone calls
Compatible with all instant messaging services including Yahoo!, MSN and Skype. Supplied with lapel microphone for out-of-the-box convenience
Captures stills and video clips on the desktop at resolutions up to 800×600 (interpolated)
Easy front focus adjustment and LED status light
Versatile four-way adjustable base can be used on a wide range of surfac

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Creative WebCam Vision

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:43:12 +0000

Now there is a WebCam for every PC. Introducing Creative’s latest addition to its award winning WebCam range, the Creative WebCam Vision justifies making a camera an integral part of every PC system.
The latest WebCam from Creative Labs is capable of video capture at up to 30fps and still image capture at resolutions up to 640×480. In short, this camera guarantees the best possible image quality whether you’re using it for still image capture, video-conferencing or full – motion video clips.

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Creative WebCam NX Pro

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:38:26 +0000

It’s time to get closer with live video. Or, for a truly amazing interactive experience, add high quality, hands-free audio to your video – your friends and loved ones will thank you for it. And, you can do so much more: create multimedia greetings, set up your own live “spy cam”, or just send a high resolution snapshot at a moment’s notice. If you’re looking for a camera that’s easy to install and fun to use, but has the video and audio quality you need to make a memorable impression, the WebCam NX Pro is a great choice. High Quality 640×480 VGA Sensor for Bigger, Bolder, Sharper Video. Revolutionary Base Accommodates CRTs, Flat Panel Displays and even Notebook PCs.

Product Features

Revolutionary 3-way base — can sit on top of your CRT monitor or clip to a flat panel display or notebook screen
Digital still capture capability
ArcSoft software bundle lets you easily edit your photos, send video e-mail, and more
Attaches to a PC through USB 1.1 connection
Compatible with Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP (XP is not compatible with Microsoft NetMeeting)

Technical Details

Minimum System Requirements: Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon processor running at 266 MHz; Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000 or XP; 32MB RAM; 250MB free hard disk space (for installation of software); USB 1.1 port and CD-ROM drive; Display adapter capable of 16-bit color at 800 x 600; Sound Blaster or other Windows compatible sound card is required for video conferencing (sold separately)
Box Contents: Creative WebCam NX Pro with 6′ USB cable ; Quick Start Guide ; Microphone ; Installation and Application CD – Creative PC-CAM Center Lite – Creative WebCam Monitor – ArcSoft PhotoImpression 4 – ArcSoft Multimedia Email - Microsoft NetMeeting

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Creative WebCam Notebook

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:34:41 +0000

Creative Webcam NoteBook is a perfect match and specifications design for Notebooks of those RoadWarriors who are constantly on the run. Fitting with only 2.4″ (60 millimeters) in length and 17 millimeters in height (without the clip), it is great way to supercharge your instant messaging with video. Creative Webcam NoteBook is built to pitch 45 degrees downwards and a 270 degrees panning angle.

Creative Webcam NoteBook employs a CMOS color sensor that enables still images captures of 640 x 480 resolutions and live video up to 640 x 480resolutions at 15 fps. Its high quality crystal clear lens can be manually adjust its depth of field that captures ultra close-up digitized images.

With such an ingenious built in design and quality, you can be sure that you can capture steady close up shots. Interfacing with Creative Webcam NoteBook, Creative has bundled with lots of fun, easy to use software to ensure that all your out-of-town family and friends have a share in your special memories.

Features

Sleek, compact size travels easily
Soft case protects your camera when you”re on the go
Attaches to notebook displays up to 0.5″ (14 mm) in depth with ease
640×480 VGA CMOS sensor for high-resolution snapshots and video

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Creative WebCam Live! Effects

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:29:57 +0000

New Creative WebCam Live! Effects Enhanced with Special Effects Software and Stik-On

Creative Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment solutions for PC users, introduced the new Creative WebCam Live! Effects, which ships this week at an estimated street price of US$79.
The Creative WebCam Live! Effects comes bundled with the Creative Advanced Video FX utility software that brings Video Instant Messaging (Video IM) to a new level. Users can now thrill family and friends with fun mirrors, face morphs and special photographic effects during Video IM sessions. They can even hide their location with lively and intriguing backdrops. Creative Advanced Video FX will be the next fun craze for Video IM, and will definitely be an enjoyable conversation topic when instant messaging with friends!

Creative WebCam Live! Effects is a certified USB 2.0 web camera which can deliver video up to 30 frames per second at 640 x 480 (VGA) resolutions. With the certified high-speed USB 2.0 interface, WebCam Live! Effects enables users to capture fast, smooth, high resolution video with more details than traditional USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 compatible web cameras.

With its VGA CMOS sensor, the webcam also enables users to capture still photos at up to 1.3 Megapixels with interpolation. The Creative Smart Face Tracking feature keeps the user’s face in view and even tracks multiple users. It also features a 4-way flexible base that allows the webcam to be placed anywhere.

In addition, a bonus Creative Stik-On Skin for WebCams is included in the standard package, as well as a lapel microphone for better voice clarity. Also included are the award-winning software, Creative WebCam Center, and five other feature-rich software that enable users to make full use of their webcam.

Primary users include high school students, college students and/or young adults who communicate frequently with family and friends via the Internet and would enjoy a webcam that can liven up the Video IM experience. The secondary users include Internet beginners who want to experience Video IM and web conferencing with a feature-rich and dependable webcam.

Pricing and Availability
The Creative WebCam Live! Effects is now available at a suggested retail price of US$79 (inclusive of GST). The standard package includes a WebCam Live! Effects with USB2.0 cable attached, Creative lapel microphone, Quick Start Booklet, Creative Stik-On for Webcams, as well as two CDs containing the following software bundle: Creative WebCam Center, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft VideoImpression, ArcSoft MultiMedia Email, ArcSoft Collage Creator, and Yahoo! Messenger.

For more information, visit www.asia.creative.com.

About Creative
Creative (NASDAQ: CREAF) is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for PC users. Famous for its Sound Blaster sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed MuVo and Zen portable audio players. Creative’s innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment — anytime, anywhere.

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Creative WebCam Live!

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:26:54 +0000

Capture Live! High Quality Video and Audio for Your Instant Messaging

Let them see you too! The Creative WebCam Live! brings you closer to friends and family with live video over the Internet. Using high quality webcam sensor and lens, the WebCam Live! delivers amazing colors and fast frame rate. Grab 1024×768 resolution photos instantly and use the included software to create digital postcards, calendars, and more. Creative understands that clear voice is important when you’re instant messaging, and that is why we bundle a separate microphone.

Features

640×480 CMOS sensor delivers high quality videos
Video capture at up to 30 fps
Still image capture at up to 1024×768 resolution (software enhanced)
Dedicated microphone for superior audio
Snapshot button makes it easy to take a photo
USB 1.1 connection
Sleek design perfectly compliments home and office PCs
Flexible three-way base sits on any surface or attaches to flat panel or notebook displays
Works with Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, and other instant messenger services

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Creative Live! Cam Voice

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:19:21 +0000

You can pick up a webcam from just about any Internet retailer for under £20, so why would anybody pay £50, the going rate for Creative’s Live Cam Voice? There are three main reasons. First, the sensor resolution is fairly high for a webcam, at 640×480 pixels. The software bundle – as usual with Creative – is comprehensive and well written. And finally, the camera is fitted with a noise-cancelling array microphone.

The unit itself is small but not miniature, and is oval in shape, with twin microphones positioned either side of the lens. There’s a small LED under the lens, which glows green when the camera has power and red when it’s active. A single USB 2.0 cable provides all power as well as the data connection.

It’s mounted on a ball joint so you can move it through a wide variety of angles, and a foldaway clip gives it good purchase on a notebook or LCD monitor. On a conventional CRT, the Live Cam sadly has to rely on its weight to stay put and, as it’s light, it can be easily disturbed.

Creative provides an extensive software bundle with the Live! CamVoice. The main component is Creative Muvee Autoproducer, a simple video-editing application, which can jazz up a video from captured footage, applying soundtracks and styles, like a promo or music video. There are more serious applets in there, too, which help set up the camera for security applications, or to work with VOIP services like Skype.

The two microphones work in collaboration to detect background noise. By analysing the levels of sound reaching each microphone, the driver software determines which sounds are background and which come from somebody in front of the camera. This enables the system to cancel unwanted noise, leaving clearer speech, without the need for a headset. The results are good, with speech as clear as from many headsets, but without the need to press your ears into funny shapes.

This is a good camera for anybody who wants to fit and then forget a webcam. The superior sound quality captured by the array microphone is probably worth the extra price, but when you add in the software and the versatility of the camera for VOIP or security uses, it’s further justification for its comparatively high price.

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Creative Live! Cam Vista IM

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:07:14 +0000

Creative’s Live! Cam Vista IM is a simple yet effective Web cam. It doesn’t do anything particularly special, but it does the basics reasonably well. A couple of nice extras and a low price make it a great package for anyone who is a fan of talking over Skype or MSN Messenger.

As one of the lower priced models in Creative’s range, the Live! Cam Vista IM is a basic device. It’s dead easy to set up: plug the USB cable in and install the software. The Vista IM is certified as compatible with most popular instant messaging programs, such as Skype and MSN, so shouldn’t require much in the way of additional configuration. The included software also gives the ability to record video files in either WMV or AVI formats, which is a nice touch.

The neat little device sits atop a hinged tripod, allowing it to perch upon a flat surface, or alternatively to fold up and cling on to a shelf. The lens can then be positioned to point in the correct direction. You’ll also need to turn the lens ring to ensure the picture is in focus. Once all that’s done the camera is good to go.

Picture quality is fairly good for a basic Web cam. Colours are well balanced, avoiding the washed out look seen on many other models. There’s also little in the way of picture distortion, so you’ll be able to tell what’s going on without a grainy haze obscuring the image. Low light performance is about average. The maximum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels is adequate for most uses, though it operates at a somewhat disappointing 15 frames per second. Dropping to 320 x 240 pixels raises this to 30 frames per second, though at this size it becomes a little hard to discern what’s going on. The other problem we had with the camera was that it only utilises a USB 1.1 connection, rather than the more modern USB 2.0.

Creative also bundle a clip on microphone with the camera, in the style of a mobile phone hands-free kit. This is a useful addition, and simply plugs in to the microphone jack on the computer. Overall Creative has come up with a simple but useful Web cam, and it should accommodate the needs of most users.

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Creative Live! Cam Video IM Pro

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:58:12 +0000

Product Description
Connect the Creative Live! Cam Video IM Pro camera and you’ll love the smooth, fluid video the high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity delivers. At 30 frames per second, it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and family across the miles using your favorite Instant Messaging programs. Enjoy smooth, natural looking video thanks to Live! View Auto Tuning technology. You’ll get sharp, vibrant images with accurate white balance and better light exposure. Plus, this smart technology gives you enhanced frame rates. Creative Advanced Video FX software lets you add cool effects and backgrounds to your video chats. Change your hairstyle, wear a mask, or warp your image. Everything you need to spice up your video IM is included. With Smart Face Tracking activated, webcam will focus on only you so that you will always stay inside the video frame. It even tracks multiple persons, so everyone can get in on the conversation. Creative bundles a high quality headset with every webcam. Creative hands-free headset is both convenient and easy to wear. Live! View technology for sharper, more vivid images and enhanced frame rates Smart face tracking with 4x digital zoom Multi-attach base also works on flat panel and notebook displays Live! Cam Suite lets you edit, enhance, and organize your photos Advanced Video FX to add fun to your video IM SightSpeed for premium quality video call and video mail OrbSecure for remote monitoring Works with Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, Windows Live Messenger, MSN Messenger and other compatible instant messaging services System Requirements – Intel Pentium III 850MHz or above (Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz or higher recommended), Windows 2000 or XP, 128MB RAM (256MB recommended), 300MB free disk space, CD-ROM drive, USB port (USB 2.0 recommended), Display adaptor capable of 16-bit color

Live! Cam Video IM Pro lets you chat with sharp, smooth and clear video. It comes equipped with a high-speed USB 2.0 connection so that you can enjoy faster frame rates and ultra smooth videos. At 30 frames per second and VGA resolution, you’ll feel as if you are chatting face-to-face. Don’t worry about lighting and brightness adjustments. Creative Auto Tuning handles it for you, so that you’ll enjoy the clearest picture possible. Sit back and have more fun by adding a wide range of special effects and backgrounds to your video chat with the included software, Advanced Video FX.

High quality 640 x 480 VGA sensor
A premium camera unit lets you enjoy clear, smooth video chats. You can also take 1.3-megapixel pictures and record videos at up to 800×600 resolutions.

Look your best with Live! View
Look your best the easy way. Creative Auto Tuning automatically adjusts lighting and brightness to give you the clearest possible picture while you video chat.

Spice up your chats with Advanced Video FX
Have more fun by adding a wide range of special effects and backgrounds to your video chat with Advanced Video FX.

Smart face tracking
With Smart Face Tracking activated, the camera automatically follows you as you move about, keeping you within the video always. It even tracks multiple persons, so everyone can get in on the conversation.

Certified high-speed USB 2.0
Experience smooth, full motion 30 fps digital video streams and top quality images. Live! Cam Video IM Pro is also USB 1.1 compliant and works perfectly with lower USB connection.

Creative headset included
The Live! Cam Video IM includes a Creative hands-free headset that is both convenient and easy to wear. The result is a crisp, clear reproduction of your voice.

Multi-attach base
Live! Cam Video IM Pro attaches to almost anything – notebook displays, CRT monitors, Flat panel displays. Or let it rest comfortably on tables or other flat surfaces.

Do more with included software
Do more with Creative Live! Cam Suite. Edit and organize your photos, create fun photo calendars, set up remote monitoring. Do all this and more with the included software suite.

Muvee autoProducer
Create videos easily and quickly. Muvee autoProducer’s fantastic video editing technology enables you to produce professional videos in an amazingly short period of time. Simply shoot it, muvee it and share it!

Included SightSpeed and Orb 2 software
Maximize your webcam experience with these great software included at no extra charge. Turn your PC into a video phone, make multi-party video calls3, and even stream photos and videos to Web-enabled devices like laptops, PDAs and mobile phones.

Superior video for instant messaging!
The camera works with Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, MSN Messenger and other compatible instant messaging services.

What’s in the Box
Creative Live! Cam Video IM Pro with USB 2.0 cable; Creative hands free headset; multi-language quickstart guide; and CD software containing Creative Live! Cam Center, Creative Live! Cam Manager, Creative Live! Cam Console, Creative Photo Manager, Creative Photo Calendar, muvee autoProducer, SightSpeed, Orb with OrbSecure, Yahoo! Messenger, and multi-language user’s guide.

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Creative Live! Cam Optia AF

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:44:39 +0000

Just when you thought all webcams were created equal, along comes the Creative Live! Cam Optia AF–the first webcam to offer an autofocus lens and a ceiling-busting 2-megapixel resolution. But that’s just the start of the technical enhancements, which also include dual microphones with noise cancellation capability, a wide range of visual and audio effects (which you can also create), parental controls, and still image capture up to an interpolated 8 megapixels.

The Optia AF offers easy plug-and-play operability on either a Windows PC or a Mac–just slide in the USB 2.0 plug, select the camera from your chosen video chatting program (it works seamlessly with Skype, Yahoo!, Windows Live, SightSpeed, and iChat), and you’re good to go. The Optia’s autofocus feature gets engaged whenever you make movements more pronounced than just moving your head from side to side–the picture mildly blurring for about a second before it adjusts to a crisper focus. We found it best not too move too much, otherwise the picture tended to constantly adjust itself, which was frustrating for our chat partner.

However, our chat pal did notice that the colors from the Optia AF were much richer when compared to a test we did with the Apple iSight (see images at right), and that the flow of video was smoother with the Optia’s 30fps (frames per second) capture. He also noted that my voice seemed to come in clearer, thanks to the dual adaptive array microphones.

While the Optia AF works as advertised right out of the box, you’ll benefit from installing the Creative software package, which includes the Cam Console from which you can make a wide range of adjustments. (Note that this software is available for Windows users only; it’s also Vista-certified.) From the Autofocus section of the console, you can specify a focus area from an Advanced menu that will help cut down on refocusing, or choose to manually focus on one point if you’re going to be more stationary.

The Cam Console is also where you can select from a host of special effect add-ons that range from draping a background around you (such as the Eiffel Tower) or adding elf ears or crocodile eyes, which will follow your face as you move. Unfortunately, it seemed we needed a green screen behind us as we could never get the backgrounds to fully form. But we were much more successful with the facial additions and such whole-scale manipulations as half-tone and mirror image.

The included CD-ROM also includes Muvee Autoproducer software, which can help you stitch together a movie from different clips captured from the Optia AF, as well as Orb, which enables you to broadcast your video feed to a Web page that friends and family can check in on. Coupled with the Optia AF’s parental controls, the Orb service could be handy for parents who want to remotely check in on what their tykes are up to in another room, or back at home with a babysitter.

Like its predecessor, the Optia AF’s stand can sit freely upon a desk or older CRT monitor, and the rubber grips on the bottom help to keep it from slipping. A clip is included on the bottom to stabilize the stand on your laptop’s screen or LCD monitor, making the Optia one of the most secure webcams we’ve used. You can twist the black high-gloss camera body around 270 degrees, and the image automatically flips when it’s rotated more than 90 degrees. Adding to its stylish looks is an inner ring that lights up in blue when the camera is turned on. Swiveling the lens so it’s pointing down turns the camera off for when you need privacy.

Overall, the Optia AF is a welcome advance to to the world of webcams, thanks to its sharper focus, richer colors, and clearer audio. But it’s also chock-full of extras that will add fun to your chats with family and friends. –Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

2-megapixel resolution helps improve the tone and depth of colors
Noise-cancelling dual microphones handy in loud environments like coffee shops
Plug-and-play operability on both Windows PCs and Macs

Cons:

Autofocus can overcompensate if you move around too much

Product Description
The Creative Live! Cam Optia AF Webcam with USB 2.0 cable is the easy & powerful Webcam that makes it easy to stay in touch. Take clearer and sharper photos at up to 8 megapixel resolution – Live! View Auto Tuning technology automatically sets the best lighting and brightness levels for you. Revolutionary Noise Cancellation technology and Adaptive Array Microphones reduce unwanted background noise from your video chat, leaving just crystal clear speech. Live! Audio technology that lets you deliver stunning image quality and crystal clear voice. Best of all, you can use this great looking Live! Cam anywhere on any notebooks or computer displays without having to worry about driver installations. Turn your PC into a video phone with SightSpeed – stream photos and videos to Web-enabled devices like laptops, PDAs and mobile phones Works with Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and other compatible IM services Create your own videos easily with muvee autoProducer’s video editing technology Parental Control feature

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Creative Live! Cam Optia

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:37:29 +0000

The propaganda

The Live! Cam Optia is Creative’s latest entry to the webcam market. With so many instant messaging services offering webcam functionality and the rising popularity of video sharing sites, webcams are practically an essential piece of kit for any PC owner.

The Optia offers the standard 640 x 480 resolution, 30 FPS video capture, along with 1.3 megapixel still image capture. You can tweak the focus manually with the focus ring surrounding the lens. The body of the camera can also be twisted on its arm mount to change the angle it is pointing at. One thing that’s lacking is a built-in Microphone, but Creative does supply a little mic and earpiece combo as well as a software CD packed with a range of programs.

The good

Creative already has a pretty exhaustive range of webcam products so the obvious question is what the Optia brings to the table. The answer is Plug and Play. Not exactly ground-breaking stuff but it does save you having to waste five minutes installing loads of drivers and software if you just want to get the hell on with some video calling.

The most obvious appeal of the Optia is the aesthetics – it has a really snazzy clear surround on white plastic design that looks very smart and reminds me of an iMac. The blue light that comes on when it is recording also adds a nice touch. The range of movement on the arm is good too – a full 270 degrees. Twisting it all the way towards the base also shuts the camera down, which proved quite a handy feature.

Should you decide to bother with the accompanying CD, you can install various other programs designed for the camera, including the console, which unlocks the range of adjustments, face tracking and video FX tools. The video FX tools are the most fun, and there is quite a range to choose between from psychedelic colours to wavy images, however beware that they can be a bit glitchy.

The bad

Although the accompanying software is fairly extensive and of good quality, it does suffer from a lack of coherence. Installing the full complement of tools will add six different folders to your start menu each with a couple of different functions inside them. While it’s not much of a gripe, it could have been a lot better if Creative had put them all into a coherent whole.

Image quality, on the whole, compares well with other webcams I have tested, but doesn’t really raise the bar. The only annoyance was that the auto-exposure function was a little clunky.

The built-in microphone or lack thereof is a more serious complaint. The packaged mic and earpiece just doesn’t match the aesthetics of the rest of camera. Given that the Optia’s price tag of between £30 and £40 isn’t particularly cheap for a webcam and that rivals from the likes of Logitech do come with fully integrated microphones, it seems like a wasted opportunity.

Geek Sheet

Sensor: VGA Sensor

Lens: Precision Lens (High quality glass lens)

Highest Still Image Resolution: 1.3 Megapixel 1280×960 (software enhanced)

Highest Video Resolution: 640×480@30fps

Focus: Manual focus ring

Interface: High-Speed USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1)

Overview

The Creative Live! Cam Optia is a good looking webcam and offers excellent ease of use as well as pretty decent enhanced features via the accompanying software. The lack of integrated microphone is a sore point and doesn’t do the relatively high price tag any favours. Overall though, it is still a smart piece of kit and probably a sound investment if you already have a free standing mic or headset.

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Creative Live! Cam Notebook Ultra

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:28:52 +0000

Go anywhere, be anywhere, and stay connected all the times! Whether you’re enjoying a cup of cappuccino at a caf, waiting for a flight at an airport, or simply decked out in your backyard, you want to stay connected to the world. With the Creative Live! Cam Notebook Ultra, you can say hi to your friends, family, or colleagues, wherever you roam.

Look Your Best
Whether you’re chatting on the web, recording a new video blog, or snapping photos, you’ll want to look your best. Creative’s Live! View technology automatically selects the best setting for you so that your image always looks sharp and vivid. The ultra wide-angle lens and Smart Face Tracking feature keeps you in the frame and looking sharp no matter how much you might move around.

Record video to your PC – perfect for posting a video blog, uploading to the Internet, or creating a home movie. You won’t look grainy or fuzzy using Live! Cam Notebook Ultra. A high quality 1.3mp (1280×960) sensor, Live! View technology, and auto tuning give you video quality you may not expect from such a compact webcam.

Sound Your Best
Live! Cam Notebook Ultra incorporates Creative’s superior audio technology by using a set of built-in adaptive array microphones. The dual microphones and Creative’s exclusive Live! Audio technology cancels out background noise, so all you hear is pure voice over the Internet.

Features

Video Effects from Creative’s Advanced Video FX

Change the face of instant messaging! So you’ve heard all about video effects – the special effects like snowflakes, masks, eye glasses, hairdos, etc. that you add to your video image while chatting online. But wait, what about having a beautiful backdrop behind you like the Eiffel Tower or Sydney Opera House? Plus, you can morph your image into water ripples, blow bubbles out of your mouth, or simple become invisible. You can do all this with Creative’s extensive, free collection of video effects and more.

Exclusive Voice Effects from Creative’s Advanced Audio FX

Let them hear you, in many ways! Don’t just doodle and morph your image, do something about your voice! Now with Creative’s exclusive Audio FX technology, you can talk like a chipmunk, a robot, or a duck. You can even soun like a 5 year-old kid with squeaky high-pitched voice or an 80 year-old man with quivering low-drone voice. Try it to believe it!

Exclusive Parental Control

Creative stands by safe online chat! Live! Cam Optia offers exclusive parental control that is not found on any other webcam. You can enable parental control during setup. Simply create a login and password so that the next time someone uses the webcam, it requires your password before streaming live video over the Internet. Parental control, smart face tracking, and other software features require the CD software installation.

Greater viewing flexibility and privacy

Live! Cam Notebook Ultra rotates to almost any viewing angle at up to 240. Plus, the embedded image sensor detects camera rotation at 90 or above, so that your image is always upright.

Smooth video, uninterrupted live chat

Experience smooth, full motion 30 frames per second digital video and top quality images with hi-speed USB 2.0 throughput. Live! Cam Notebook Ultra is also backward compatible and works with any USB 1.1 connection.

Tech Specs

1.3mp (1280×960) sensor with Live! View technology
Video capture at up to 1280×960 resolution
Still image capture at up to 5.0 megapixel resolution
Built-in noise-canceling microphones with Live! Audio technology
USB Video Class webcam (for PCs running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and above)
Certified, hi-speed 2.0 (fully backward compatible with USB 1.1)
240 camera rotation for the best angle
Exclusive parental control for safe online chats
Smart face tracking keeps the focus on you
Video effects for fun video chats
Manual adjustable focus ring
PowerGrip attaches firmly to notebook display (up to 2cm)
Works with Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Skype Video Call and other compatible instant messaging services

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Creative Live! Cam Notebook pro

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:19:39 +0000

The Creative Live!Cam Notebook Pro Webcam is the perfect tool for computer users on the move. It i approximately the size of an alkaline battery and is equipped with a rotating lens for filming subjects located behind it. It also comes with software to adjust the image no matter what the angle of focus. The CMOS sensor on the Live!Cam Notebook Pro has an automatic and manual white balance control, and it captures video and photo in VGA quality. The Live!Cam Notebook Pro attaches to any laptop PC screen thanks to its flexible clip with rotating spring.-VGA resolution (640×480) and CMOS sensor-Supports streaming video up to 30 images/s -Rotating lens with automatic image adjustment -Comes with travel case, cable clip, software package

Technical Details

General information: Applications – Multimedia and Internet applications / Video Resolution – Up to 640 x 480 pixels / Motionless Picture Resolution – Up to 1.3 megapixels (enhanced by Creative WebCam Center software) / Sensor – CMOS VGA / Panoramic View / Vertical Inclination – Field of vision: 54 degrees /- 5 % (diagonal) / Digital Zoom – No / Microphone – No / Button for Instant Pictures – No
Mac/PC – Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP Intel Pentium II or AMD processor – 366 MHz or faster 128 MB of RAM (256 MB or more recommended) 100 MB disk space CD-ROM reader USB port
Skype certified – No
Skype compatible – yes
Other – Dimensions: 58 x 42 x 25 mm Weight: 40 g Includes software package for editing fixed images, long-distance surveillance function, video messaging, image saving and sharing Includes travel case and clasp for cable.

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Creative Live! Cam Notebook

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:06:57 +0000

Video chat on the go!

Creative’s Live! Cam Notebook helps you enjoy fuss-free instant messaging and internet phone calls. If you like to ‘plug in and chat’ with your notebook PC, this tiny, versatile webcam will help you do it – and it’s compatible with Skype and Windows Live Messenger too! Hardly larger than an AA battery, the Live! Cam Notebook has a clever base that will clip to just about any notebook display, and it connects via USB. It has a built-in microphone and True VGA sensor, so your friends, family or business colleagues will get great-looking images plus sound – no need to carry a separate microphone.

Tiny, pocket-sized format, barely larger than an AA battery. Versatile clip will attach to just about any notebook display.
Sleek design complements any notebook.
Simple plug-in connection via USB.
True VGA sensor for imaging and video recording.
Built-in microphone for `all in one’ instant messaging and internet phone calls.
Compatible with Skype and Windows Live Messenger.

Specifications

Sensor: VGA CMOS Image Sensor with Auto Tuning
Video Resolution: Up to 800 x 600 pixels with interpolation
Picture Resolution: Up to 1.3 megapixels with interpolation
Field of view: Up to 42 degrees
Integrated mono microphone
Cable length: 0.7 meters
Port compatibility: Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1.1 or 2.0
Warranty: 2-year limited hardware warranty

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Axis 206

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:00:26 +0000

The AXIS 206 Network Camera offers a cost-effective, indoor camera solution for remote monitoring and security surveillance over a local area network or the Internet. The camera is ideal for use in small and mid-sized businesses and homes.Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the AXIS 206 delivers crisp and clear images using progressive scan CMOS image sensors and advanced signal processing techniques. The AXIS 206 provides Motion JPEG images at up to 30 frames per second in all resolutions up to VGA 640×480 pixels. It can operate in light conditions as low as 4 lux.The AXIS 206 is easy to set up and use. It comes with the free AXIS Internet Dynamic DNS Service, a multilingual product interface, a built-in Web server for remote viewing and management, and the AXIS Camera Explorer software for multi-camera management on a PC or PDA.

Product Features

Delivers superior image quality with advanced video processing and progressive scan CMOS image sensor
Up to 30 frames per second in all resolutions ranging up to 640×480
Built-in Web server enables the use of a standard Web browser for viewing and management
Up to 10 viewers can directly access the camera simultaneously
Multi-user level password protection restricts camera access for security

Technical Details

Model: 206
Item Package Quantity: 1
Device Type: Network Camera
Form Factor: External
Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
Lens: 4 mm, F 2.0, fixed iris
Field of View: 55 degrees
Network Connection: 10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet (RJ-45)
Image Compression Format: Motion JPEG and individual JPEG
Video Resolution Quality: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120
Image Frame Rate: Up to 30 frames per second
Illumination: 4-10,000 lux
Image Sensor: 300,000 pixel 1/4″ progressive scan CMOS image sensor
Simultaneous Viewers: 10
System Requirements: Windows NT4.0/2000/ME/XP or Mac OS X, Internet Explorer 5.0 or later
Height: 3.33 inches
Width: 2.188 inches
Depth: 1.33 inches
Weight: 6.25 oz

Images taken by Axis 206

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AVLabs Ezy-CAM PRO 1.3 MP AVL425

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:51:13 +0000

If security if foremost on your mind when it comes to thinking about a Webcam, then the AVLabs Ezy-Cam Pro 1.3MP is probably the model for you. But be warned, this camera is not for the faint-hearted. Extra funtionality, at its low cost, means users are faced with a complicated software set that can take a while to get used to.

AVLabs is better known for its audio and video peripherals, so it is no surprise that video recording is top on its features list for the Ezy-Cam. It has designed special night-vision cameras and surveillance cameras, and this is one of its first releases to approach the video messaging market.

For this release it has teamed up with image software creator Ulead to offer image library and editing functionality that allows it to both be used in the office as a budget communications and surveillance device and the home, where the family might want to take a few pictures, send a few e-mails and do some basic, fun photo editing. It is also compatible with Windows Live Messenger for those wanting to stay in touch with the click of a button.

Design
The design of this little Webcam is really nothing to write home about. It is quite a basic little “eye” with a very responsive quick-snap button for taking pictures on top. It can rotate 180 degrees horizontally, depending on where the focal ring sits. This, quite annoyingly, has a little handle to the side, which tends to get in the way when you are turning it, stopping rotation to either side. It also means, when turning with one finger, your hand will enter the image you are trying to focus on. If you can master doing this you can adjust the focus from 30mm to infinity which will allow for some of the sharpest images seen in our Webcam round-up, especially for macro-style shots.

The Ezy-Cam has a CMOS sensor that captures 640 x 480 pixels, but this does not seem to cut out all the blooming that can appear in images.

We would recommend only considering this model if you have a desktop computer, or if you are looking to mount it to the desk itself. The triangular stand cannot be adjusted and we could not see how it would fit well onto a notebook computer (despite the vendor saying it is suited for one). It also has no vertical tilt so it really needs to sit at head height.

It has a built-in microphone but we would recommend getting an additional headset as the sound can be a little faint.

It supports USB 2.0 and requires Windows XP to run.

Features
AVLabs offers a very brief setup guide for the Ezy Cam — even having tested a number of models previous to this we required a bit of research to get it fully operational. It actually requires you to custom install all drivers, which takes longer but can be good if you are not in need of the Ulead products — our experience with Ulead has been that it can take over as your dominant image viewer if you’re not careful.

It comes with Video Mail for creating video clips that you can then attach to e-mail; Video Monitor, which captures motion images as a security monitor; and Amcap, an easy-to-use testing program that will check if your USB digital video recorder is working right. This is on top of the Ezy-Cam Pro and Ulead software, which comes with a whole swag of editing options — but no fun stuff like the Creative Live! Cam Video IM.

It allows for image adjustment but to get the full swag you will have to purchase a higher-end model.

It does have exposure, white balance, brightness, and noise ratio settings and has a motion detector — great once again for home or office security and for its remote monitoring abilities.

The video works at 30fps at VGA resolution, and also has a number of controls for gamma, brightness and sharpness.

Performance
Overall, we found the images this little Webcam takes to be quite good. With 1.3 megapixels you would expect this, though we did find a few hues of red and blue entered the image under different light conditions. We did get amazing clarity, however, when conditions were right, and found the interpolation AVLabs has used with its video and still image capturing to be extremely good. Lag was also not much of a problem when moving at average speeds.

The remote monitoring and motion detection capabilities are probably the stand-out features of this Webcam, however. Both work extremely well, with the motion detector picking up movement easily, and the remote monitoring allowing great surveillance of any room under a range of lighting conditions.

AVLabs offers the least support of all the models tested — only one year. With this in mind, along with its AU$89.95 price tag, we would have expected a little more. But AVLabs has come from a different background to the more entertainment-based Creative and Microsoft, and its sights are still clearly set on the security-conscious market.

We would suggest sticking to something that is much easier to set up that is a bit more agile in its offering — and its point of view (literally) if you are looking to use your Webcam purely to keep in touch.

Otherwise, if you’re tech savvy and want security above all else, then this could be worth a go.

Webcams are not just about keeping in touch. As AVLabs proves with its Ezy-Cam Pro 1.3MP, your Webcam can become an important tool for security, especially for the home or small business. And unlike most business models of technology, a Webcam such as the Ezy-Cam means you don’t need to blow your budget to enjoy the benefits of modern security.

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Sony SNC RZ25N Network WebCams

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:27:17 +0000

This product bundle contains a Sony SNC-RZ25N IP camera with a DBH18 outdoor weatherproof housing to give a remotely operated outdoor IP camera, accessible from a local network or across the Internet.

The Sony SNC-RZ25P network camera is a controllable pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) IP camera with automatic day/night switching and 2-way audio voice-exchange.

Please note this product bundle does not come with a power supply as standard. If you require a power supply please select one of the preferred products from the options above.

Sony SNC-RZ25N Outdoor Bundle Wall Mount – Typical Applications

Professional IP security camera, used in areas such as remote security surveillance and monitoring in areas such as retail, office, manufacturing plants, railroad stations, airports, bars, malls, schools, colleges etc.

Sony SNC-RZ25N Outdoor Bundle Wall Mount – Camera Overview

Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor – An indoor version is available: Sony SNC-RZ25N Indoor Version
Mounting options: Wall mount included. Ceiling/Roof mount available: Sony SNC-RZ25N – Ceiling/Roof mount outdoor bundle
Type: Controllable PTZ
Zoom: 18x Optical, 12x digital, 216x combined
Lens: Focal length: 4.1 – 73.8mm, F1.4 wide, F3.0 tele
Wireless: No – compatible with an IEEE802.11b-compliant wireless Compact Flash card (not supplied)
Resolution: Max. 640×480 pixels (VGA)
Frame rate: Max. 25 frames per second (320×240)
Audio: 2-way audio (ext microphone and speakers required, not supplied)
Light level required: Color: 0.7 lux (AGC ON, F1.4, 50IRE)
Multi-camera viewing: Additional software required for multi-camera monitoring
Recording: Full recording suite available, not supplied
Alarm detection: Video motion detection or external input
Alarm notification: Image transfer by FTP and email or notification by external sensor output
Power over Ethernet: Support can be added with PD801/12 High-power active splitter and midspan
Mobile viewing: No

Sony SNC-RZ25N Outdoor Bundle Wall Mount – Included in this bundle

Sony SNC-RZ25N Controllable pan-tilt-zoom IP camera
DBH18KOF028 Dome housing with sunshield and clear dome
ODBH18H210 Adapter plate with fan assisted heater, 24V AC incl. step-down adaptor 12V DC / 2A
DBH06 Wall mount bracket

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