Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO USB Visual Communication Camera (PCGA-UVC11A)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(3)

 

 

I never buy an electronic device unless I've heard good things about the manufacturer's standards. Well Sony has been around for so many years and their higher standards and customer satisfactions have been proved over this time. After looking up different web cameras for my laptop I decided to purchase this rather costly camera. This camera had a very sleek design and good quality. It's built in microphone answered most of my needs for a visual communication device. But after 8 months I was receiving a noisy picture, with some fixed dots across the screen, and it started getting worse and worse everyday until the screen became completely dark. I never saw any pictures coming up after that but a few times and those images were of a VERY poor quality. Since then it was mostly a black screen with horizontal lines across the screen moving up and down. So I decided to call Sony and ask for help. I swear I spent 3 hours on hold and were switched and shipped from this department to that department, and nobody seemed to be willing to help. They eventually gave me a repair confirmation number and I sent the camera to Sony Regional Repair Center in San Diego. My camera was repaired and sent back to me in 2 weeks without any charge (because I had a one year warranty on it). The camera worked great after that for about 2 months, but again it started acting in the same way and was driving me crazy. So I called Sony and received a new repair confirmation number. The customer representative who I talked to on the phone promised that since this was a re-repair item it will be fixed for free, so I sent the camera to San Diego for the second time. 3 weeks later I received a letter from Sony, it was a bill for $205.00! They were not going to fix the camera unless I'd agree to pay that amount. I told them that it was ridiculous, that I could buy 3 new cameras with that money. I told them to keep the piece of junk and dispose it if they want. If you want a durable camera DO NOT buy this POS. I have a Sony VAIO laptop, Sony Digital Camera, Sony Camcorder, Sony Video CD/DVD player, Sony digital sound recorder and a Sony mp3 player, and I've never had any problems with those devices. I have always believed in Sony's capabilities in satisfying the market's needs, but this web camera put warning sign on my next purchases from Sony.

I've had a totally different experience than what the guy above stated. I have had this webcam for a little over 2 years now and have traveled to India and South Korea with it. It has lasted through thick and thin and never stopped functioning. The picture used to come in a little fuzzy when I first bought it, but now that MSN messenger upgraded their program, I have a very clear picture. As good as a CMOS lens gets anyways. The big problem with this is that the technology is out of date and you can probably get the same or better for cheaper or about the same price. If you love Sonys, get this one. I admit I'm a sucker for Sony, but if you want the best deal, search around some more. Good product, but overpriced. (This was posted when the webcam was being sold at $90).

what's the point of having a color web cam when the quality is aslmost as black and white, and besides that make sure to hold on to the camera (unless you glue it to ur laptop) it's not stable .

I've had two ... eventually ... about 1.5 years each ... they start fritzing out. When they work they are excellent. Not sure why the one reviewer had problem attaching to the laptop ... seems to work fine for me. However ... I gave it a low rating ... too expensive ... not durable. A year and a half life span is good for a $50 camera but not for this one. Better webcams for the same price or lower. Not to mention Sony Customer Service is not what it use to be. Sad but true.

I have used these cameras for a couple of years. I have 4 of them. I tried them side by side with the Logitech cameras, and I felt that there was no comparison. The quality of the Sony camera was vastly superior, particularly in low-light conditions. This camera also has a manual focus control on it, which some of the cheaper ones don't have. I think this helps the picture quality - when the camera is properly focused, of course.

I wonder about all of the reviews that complain about quality problems. I have not noticed any degradation in the 2-3 years I have owned these cameras.

As far as connecting it to a laptop, it comes with 2 options: a clip and a little stand along with a piece of double-stick tape. To use the stand, you just clip the camera to it, giving the camera a flat base which can be attached to any flat surface with the double-stick tape. The stand also has a threaded hole so that the camera can be connected to a tripod. Personally, I just use the clip on the top of my laptop. I guess if your laptop is REALLY think it might not attach. I have an lcd monitor where this is the case.

The quality was excellent "while it worked". It got sick and no picture. Forget about dealing with Sony Customer Serv. If it last for you enjoy it. It is bound to dye at least for me.