Customer Reviews

Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 Webcam (Gray)

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(42)

 

 

This camera costs almost twice as much as the VX-3000, and it is debatable whether it offers enough for the price difference to be worthwhile. The VX-3000 is a very good buy and no doubt will make most average users very happy. That said, however, the VX-6000 does offer superior quality for those who want it, and still offers a better quality/price ratio than comparable Logitech or Creative products. Image is EXTREMELY crisp, and many of my on-line chat pals have commented that they were impressed. The wide-angle lens is also a big plus (in fact, it was what made me decide to pay more and get it), and it works well with little light.

On the down side, two things:


1) The absolutely irritating "Windows Live Call" button that gets easily pressed by accident and pops up Windows Live Messenger (still widely known as MSN Messenger). But there is an easy workaround:

a. Rename the file "IcePick.exe" in the installed camera programs folder (usually, "C:\Program Files\Microsoft LifeCam") to something else.

b. Create an EMPTY file (size 0 bytes) named "IcePick.exe" (for example, right-click on that folder's right pane in Windows Explorer, create a new empty text file and DON'T open it; then rename it and confirm that you want to change the extension).

Step (a) disables the button already, but if you don't perform step (b), when you access the camera utility "Properties" window (to change exposure, brightness, etc.) the driver will reinstall itself (asking for the CD, etc.) and restore the original "IcePick.exe" undoing what you did. But after performing both steps, the button is dead. If you want to restore the functionality, just delete the empty "IcePick.exe" and rename the old file back to its original name.


2) When lighting conditions change too suddenly (for example, when a brightly lit arm comes quickly closer to the camera) it may reset the feed and go dark for a second or two while the driver adjusts itself. Sometimes this can be annoying, and I don't know if there is a way to tweak the driver so that it doesn't adjust itself so often.


Other than these two points, however, the VX-6000 one of the best webcams I have ever seen and I don't hesitate to recommend it. No camera is perfect and other models and brands certainly have their down sides, too. The ones I've found are tolerable, and pale in comparison with this product's excellent quality.

A final tip: the driver on the CD is almost certainly outdated. [...]

I wish people would refrain from lying; some people will do anything to defame Microsoft, a genuine, all-American company. The LifeCam VX-6000 installs easily, does not install secret non-essential software like Creative and Logitech installers do, and works beautifully with various IM clients. I tested it with different video chat programs and didn't enconter any problems on my two WinXP computers. I mainly use it with the new Windows Live Messenger (formerly known as MSN Messenger) and the video and audio quality are just superb. But I do think this might be a little too much if all you do is casual video chats. The cheaper VX-3000 is probably a better buy for most people. If you want a real digital camera, get a real one from Canon, Casio, Fuji, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, etc. But if you do some video conferencing for business, the VX-6000 is a good investment.

The MS LifeCam VX-6000 is optimized for Windows Live Messenger (WLM). There were no options in the installation process. No crapware was installed. No special folders were created. All the camera features can be accessed from within WLM. The sound was great from the recipients point of view, even though I was using two desktop speakers. No speaker feedback. The microphone worked even when I walked around the room. No headset is supplied. Why do the other similarly priced webcams touting their builtin microphones also include headsets? I'm about to buy a second one.

Some other reviews here had similar problems to mine. Please don't think we are bad mouthing Microsoft. The problems are ligit. Seems to only be an issue if you have other USB devices (like most of us). Bottom line the camera would not work. If you check device manager and have an error 19, then that is the same as me. MS's website is no help. A Google search and 8 hours later I got it to work, but I bought this beacuse I thought MS would at least have the inside track on software issues. By the way, I dumped my Logitech pro5000 due to software problems too, so it's worse then this Microsoft product. Good luck. If you get it to work, it is a nice camera and works well with Skyp (my primary use of it).

I have used it in multiple operating systems- XP/Home/Professional/Vista
works perfectly fine,this cam is probably the first one where there is continuous sync between audio and video.

This is a great little camera (really, it's a great "compact" size) and I love having it just sitting up at the very top of my flat screen monitor: out of the way, but always there when I need it! The integrated microphone is far reaching - the other day I was talking from the kitchen to my online friend overseas, the computer was quite a few feet away in the room next to the kitchen (no walls in between, of course!) and my friend could hear me without any problems. I had absolutely no problems with installation! The SECRET to an easy installation is, make sure camera is not connected to the computer yet, turn off all other software, put in the Install CD to install software, and connect the camera only when prompted by the installation software. This works seamlessly with the Microsoft Messenger/Windows Live messenger. Haven't tried with other online chat software. The extra fun animations you can use while chatting will also be a hit with friends and family! I really give Microsoft an A+ on this camera!

After reading the reviews here and getting scared I thought "Bugga it, Microsoft will not sell junk, I'll give it a go".
I asked in the shop about it and they said 'Install the software before you connect the webcam.', so I followed instructions and found them to be correct. But of course there was a new version of the software to download and that was a minor annoyance of around 40meg (I think).
It's an excellent little webcam, sound is clear, video also.
[..]Highly recommend by a Windows XP SP2 over worked PC (not me) owner.

Pro's:

Setting up this camera was simple and quick. I was in a web cam session in 10 minutes.

It has all the physical adjustments you need so you are always able to get the camera at the right angles so you can be looking your best. You can tilt it in any direction, and it's adjustable clamp will have the camera fit securely to just about any monitor.

Another good feature is the manual zoom. Some people prefer automatic zoom (like some people prefer automatic transmission in their car), but for a webcam, when you are usually shooting only one subject at a time, manual zoom is the better option because it gives you total control and allows you to have a sharp and perfectly focused image of your subject, wether it be in the background or way up close, so you never have to worry about getting blurry shots again.

Since this is a microsoft device it is compatible with many programs. Aside from the included software I also used it in ms movie maker, and picasa, and i'm sure there are many other programs that can utilize it that I havent used.

And as you know, if you use ms messenger, the special button on the camera will get your video conference going in a snap. You also have integrated animation effects that people with different brand cameras dont get in ms messenger.

The built in microphone is also great for people who dont have a standalone headset, this will save you money. You can also use the camera's mic just for recording audio and using in voip programs like Skype if you so choose.


Cons:


The picture quality drops in low lighting conditions, but this is a weakness that almost all digital cameras have.

Also, the "automatic face tracking software" feature is not perfected. Lets say you move back a few feet, the camera is supposed to zoom in and keep your face centered and at a certain size at all times. Well sometimes it zooms in too close, or doesnt zoom in when you move back. But it's a new technology and I didnt expect this feature to be perfected, not many will need this feature since most people are relatively still when sitting in front of their computer.

All in all, it is a good camera for the money, with a handful of features and it serves it's purpose well.

Tip:

Keep in mind that if you intend to record top quality videos (high resolution and framerates) you will need a PC with good hardware (atleast a 2mhz CPU, 128mb video card, 512mb ram). For people with older PC's, the camera's settings can be adjusted to work better for you. The camera will provide the maximum picture quality it advertises as long as it has the proper computer hardware to power it. And as most of you know, broadband internet is pretty much a necessity for webcam sessions.

Check it out!

A cool cam.
The face tracking facility is just awesome.
Good clarity.
Easy to use.

Recipient receives very nice picture and sound. They say it sounds like I am in the room with them. Easy to set up also.