Customer Reviews

Creative Live Cam Video IM Pro

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought this camera as a low cost security camera, I also tested its use as an eBay auction picture camera, and IM chat webcam.

The software has the following problems:
1) Drains system resources
2) Frequently freezes
3) Uses lower than advertised resolution and frame rate*
4) Installs processes and services that run on startup that the software can't be used to disable**
5) Lacks streaming video***

Installing the software takes more than 30 minutes, and you are better off not using any of the CDs that come with the cam. Download the latest version of the software from the website, if you don't the update feature will make you download them and install them, save yourself the time and go to Creative's website yourself.

The website is not very easy to navigate because there is no Live Cam Video IM Pro listed, there is "WebCam Live! Pro" and "Live! Cam Video IM," but no "Live! Cam Video IM Pro." This is one of the many support annoyances you will face with this cam.

I suggest not installing the software and installing only the drivers that you download from the support website. The software has remote monitoring, motion detection, and some otherwise useful looking applications, the problem is I had the motion detection and remote monitoring hang on me during a 24hour test. I did not get the software to run for more than 12 hours continuously.

The FX features are interesting (well about 3 of them are) such as the ghost, psychedelic, and fire. But they don't work very well because the face tracking is not very accurate if you have a forehead, glasses, or a mouth. I have all three, and I am fairly certain any reader seeing this has at least two of the three.

*: While recording with the camera I captured 640x480 and my fps dropped to .53 at the moment I walked across the camera's field of vision. I was staging a burglary and this critical failure caused the video of my burglary (taking 3 boxes out of a basement) to not record my face. I warp across the field of vision as the fps fluctuates between .53 and 6 fps.

If you use motion detection it takes a second or two to kick in and depending on how close the camera is to the subject (closer images get better resolution of the facial features) you subject may have walked past the camera before it begins to capture video. A security cam should not miss the subject and then deliver only blurry pictures of limbs.

**: When you install the software you are not asked when it also installs StartFX and CTLCMgr, these programs insert themselves into startup. Calling tech support didn't help. They didn't know that the software did this, they were also unable to tell me how to disable the features (I used msconfig and manually disabled them). Software should not lack a menu option that disables startup processes. These slow down startup and waste resources when you are not running the camera. I also asked tech support to list the processes, but they failed this test, they were unable to 'research' the issue. They have no idea about their own software.

***: You can get streaming video only through a third party website, Orb. Orb is not entirely free, and Creative does not stand behind it whatsoever. I was able to get Orb working and stream my camera over the internet for a short time before it crashed. Something about the Orb site bothers me, I feel they are collecting a bit too much personal information and that they are trying to sell you something. Also, Orb secure or whatever it is called on the box of the cam is not what you get. I kept looking for the red icon and special orb secure features only to find that orb 2.0 is what you get.

Creative teamed up with Yahoo to bring you advertising in your box. Keep your eyes peeled during install so that you don't inadvertently infest your computer with annoying toolbars and adware.

BUY THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE FOR THIS CAMERA. The sooner you abandon Creative as anything but a hardware company with no real warranty, the sooner you can enjoy what this cam can do.

The low light performance is so poor, even if you are 3 feet from the camera, that there is almost no point in using it. I have not explored if other software can help improve lowlight performance by using effects that more intelligently handle contrast (making gray scale noticeable to human eyes).

If you use the software out of the box you better setup nice lighting, artificial lighting works well if it is evenly distributed and not too intense. Flip the lights on and off and the software responds slowly and poorly. You can enjoy the floundering attempts to capture images every time there is a change in lighting, this will only last for 1 to 5 seconds and then the camera will resume its poor quality performance in inadequate lighting.

DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA. The detector isn't that good, the software is abysmal, the USB cable is poorly shielded and suffers from interference. Adjusting the focus doesn't work, there is one focus and if you change it you make the image blurry, so you can play with degrading the image all you want but you can't make it better than the one size fits all. The lens also feels very cheap (wiggles in and out and rotates farther than intended) when you try to adjust it and it lacks fine control.

If I find software that deals with these problems, or a method of insulating the cabling cheaply and efficiently, I will post them here later.

I have two of these- one on a Windows XP Home Dell desktop and one on an IBM Thinkpad X22 running Windows XP Pro. I followed the installation instructions, but did not install the special video effects software. There are options during installation and I would recommend starting with the drivers and control panel first, adding an extras once things are up and running.

I am using the camera with Skype and the whole process has been much easier than I was expecting it to be. The only problem at all was getting the sound right using the microphone and ear piece- I had to unplug the main speakers on the desktop system or it would mute the earpiece.

I was also pleasantly surprised at how well it works on my laptop with its PIII 800 processor. The video looks fine.

If you can get this webcam in the $10 range, then it's a good buy, because the poor image quality cannot justify spending anything more on it. It installed without any problem, but Contrast is bad in low light situation, and even with good lighting the picture is very grainy. Compared to the MSFT lifecam 3000, the Creative cam is 10x worse in term of picture quality.

Like other reviewers, I got this camera cheap through rebate. This is my first webcam, so I can't compare it with others. The image quality seems sufficient with good lighting, but does appear grainy in low light conditions. The worst part about this camera is the software. The install process was long and painful. It's actually several installs in one and it installs multiple applications I would never use (like a photo management tool). I installed this camera first on an old Win2k computer and found that it barely worked due to the limitations of the computer. I then installed it on a new Vista machine and it didn't work at first. After downloading software updates from the Creative website, it works fine. For $5 it's a good buy. For full price, you will probably be able to find better alternatives.

I use this web camera with my toshiba laptop for online video chats with my friends. I have a regular internet line from Verizon.
In Skype and Yahoo Messenger the camera works just great!
It also comes with a microphone and ear phone included.
I enjoy it myself and highly recommend it!

I bought this camera on another site for five bucks after rebate. If I had to pay the full price, then I probably would not have bought it. The camera is good in moderate to bright light. However low light (at night) picture quality is very bad. I have a Creative Webcam Live Pro for comparison, and under the same lighting conditions, that older webcam has much better contrast and detail. This one looks very dark and grainy (like turning up the ISO on a still camera). The software is ok, but I couldn't get the smart face tracking to work. I didn't have any problems installing on Win XP, and I mainly use Skype for video chat. At the price I paid, I am pretty happy.

This product would be great, except for the fact that the software and drivers provided by Creative, which makes the camera, DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY WITH THEIR PRODUCT! Their programs don't even detect the camera, and customer service is no help whatsoever.

Additionally, their video drivers forced my computer into the Blue Screen of Death repeatedly and would not allow my computer to properly start.

Garbage, do NOT buy. Buyer beware.

Got it cheap so I can't complain. Quality is decent and it works as long as the lighting is good. A poorly lighted room will make the camera virtually worthless, so if you're in a darker room or one that has a lot of sun coming in (back lit) then you're gonna be disappointed.

I bought this Cam at BestBuy for $10 and free shipping. I Bought 2 and I'm very pleased. It's effective and looks nice. The video and pictures are crystal clear, and you really don't need much light. it's has over 1 mega pixels, so it's like a digital camera. This is nothing like the standard typical cam for even half the price of retail ($50-$60) The USB cord is extra long so i can move this cam around. The cam is also moveable...up, down, side to side. Lots of extra bonus software to enjoy. Easy to install. Rests ontop of monitor and doesn't fall off or over.

I have been using this for more than a month now, with a laptop which I effectively use as a desktop. Picture quality is quite good and good functionality of zoom as well.
Only problem is, I cannot attach it to the top of the laptop monitor; which I wouldn't want to as of now. I have to keep on a desk or a flat surface to use it.
Another negative aspect - you need to take care not to topple it while using. Moving the wire can topple it easily - I guess this is a part of every cam.
To summarize, a very good product for desktop users and also for laptop users who don't move the laptop much.