Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 (68A-00001) | 
| Brand: Microsoft
Category: CE
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $18.22
You Save: $31.77 (64%)
New (49) Used (3) from $18.22
Rating:  304 reviews
Format: Cd
Platform: Windows
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Operating System: Windows
Native Resolution: 640x480
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 2.1 x 2.2 x 2.9
Warranty: 3 year warranty
MPN: 68A-00001
Model: 68A-00001
UPC: 882224132367
EAN: 0882224132367
ASIN: B000EVM5DK
Release Date: June 9, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Superior video quality and high definition still photos | | • | Automatic face tracking software | | • | Crystal-clear audio with built-in microphone | | • | Video effects let you express yourself during chats | | • | Optimized for Windows Live; Windows Live Call Button, LifeCam Dashboard, and One-Touch Blogging |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Putting the power of Windows Live Messenger at your fingertips, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 takes instant messaging with family and friends to a new level of sight and sound by offering great video and crystal-clear audio with acoustic noise cancellation. Plus, you get advanced features, such as automatic face tracking software and low-light adjustment, so you feel like you're right there. 
Get great video and crystal-clear audio during your Windows Live Messenger chats. | 
A universal attachment base fits on most monitors, including flat screens. | The Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 is optimized for Windows Live Messenger, which is used by the largest worldwide instant messenger community with over 200 million users. Three key features give you a superior Windows Live Experience. First, the Windows Live Call Button makes it easy to start a video call. Simply press the button to see who's online, and you're on your way to a video call. Second, with the LifeCam Dashboard you can access video effects and control your webcam from the Windows Live Messenger window. Lastly, with One-Touch Blogging, a single click allows you to upload to Windows Live Spaces, an "online scrapbook" that lets you easily post blogs, photo albums, and personal music lists. The VX-3000's automatic face tracking software, which takes advantage of the camera's pan, tilt, and zoom controls, follows you so you don't disappear off-screen. Meanwhile, the camera automatically adjusts for low-light conditions for improved video quality, and a built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation provides crystal-clear audio. Video effects give you a fun way to express yourself, and last but not least, the camera's universal attachment base fits on most monitors, including flat screens. Alternatively, the camera can sit directly on your desk. Note that while the VX-3000 is optimized for use with Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft LifeCams also work with other instant messaging programs, such as Yahoo Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger. If you want the next level of performance from your LifeCam, consider the Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000, which adds high definition video capabilities, a wide angle lens, a 3x digital zoom, and a high-speed USB connection. View a comparison of the LifeCam VX-3000 and VX-6000.
Product Description
Take instant messaging with friends and family to new levels of sight and sound. Hear sounds and voices as if they were in the room with you. See clear live video images and experience a new dimension in communication. The LifeCam VX-3000 is optimized for use with Microsoft Windows Live Messenger, so you can share life as it happens. Easily start a video chat by pressing the Windows Live Call Button, and clicking an Online Contact. Crystal-clear video conversation is now possible with more than 200 million contacts in nearly every country in the world. Get vivid high-quality still images, even in low light. Hear your friends and family as if they were in the room with you. The built-in unidirectional microphone automatically picks up your voice with remarkable clarity-there's no more hassling with separate devices. Long, flexible cable gives you more room to move Surprise your friends with cool video effects, accessible right from the Windows Live Messenger Window LifeCams capture life at 30 frames per second, which means the video images you see are smooth and seamless System Requirements - Windows XP Pro, Home, Media Center Edition, Tablet PC Edition, 300 MB of available hard disk space, an available universal serial bus (USB) 1.1 or 2.0 (recommended) port
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| Customer Reviews: Read 299 more reviews...
 Exactly what I wanted February 25, 2007
Mute208 (Bay Area, CA)
163 out of 164 found this review helpful
My high-end Logitech Fusion webcam never worked properly on a consistent basis with my system. Logitech support wasn't able to help so I finally gave up and decided to try the LifeCam VX-3000.
The LifeCam VX-3000 is my 5th webcam since the late 90's. So far, it's the best I've ever used. My main purpose for the webcam was to communicate with my family in another state, in both video and audio. I have to say, mission accomplished.
The size of the VX-3000 is more dimunitive in size than I expected. I included a photo so people get an idea. It looks a lot bigger in the photos than it really is. It also fits a lot snugger on my Dell 19 inch LCD monitor than did the Logitech. Because of the base design, I can put it flat on the desk or hook it on top of the monitor.
The main review I read from PC Magazine states that the mic did a poor job so I was a concerned as the audio is almost as important to me as the video. The fear was unfounded as I tested it with my family for over an hour and they could hear me just fine with only a slight echo when I placed it too close to my speakers.
The video resolution is 640x480, more than enough for my needs. The VX-6000 has higher resolution, but is also more than twice as expensive. I was very satisifed with the video and the low light support was excellent and worked better than the Logitech Fusion.
The Live Call button on top of the camera is actually a nuisance when trying to adjust the angle of the camera. I don't see myself ever using it and only works with Windows Live Messenger anyways. The cam itself swivels vertically and horizontally. The vertical swivel is actually quite stiff so you need to hold the cam with both hands to adjust. I guess it's a good thing so that the cam doesn't get out of position easily. The cord is also a decent length so if you want to pick the camera up and move it around, it gives you some freedom to do so.
The only thing lacking that I would have wanted is a sliding lens cover, both to protect the lens and for privacy. I went back and forth on wanting the VX-3000 and the VX-6000. The comparison table shows that the VX-6000's only benefits are 3x digital zoom, high-speed USB and a wide angle lens. I know that the video resolution is also higher. For me, I didn't need the digital zoom. Also, I didn't know that there was a difference in USB. I thought all USB 2.0 was "high-speed." The instructions on the webcam recommend connecting to USB 2.0 so what exactly is "high-speed?" The wide angle lens would've been great, but not worth the extra cost. Certainly, the two most compelling reasons to get the VX-6000 is the wide angle lens and the higher video resolution. Based on my needs, the better value was the VX-3000.
The version of the drivers that came on CD-ROM with the cam was 1.1 but I downloaded 1.3 from Microsoft's website. I have to say that after some weeks of using Windows Live Messenger, it has a habit of getting disconnected quite often. My family has observed this as well. Until Microsoft remedies this, I may have to switch over to Google Talk with a video plug-in but the webcam itself, is exactly what I wanted.
One of the best webcams August 2, 2006
Gadgester (New York)
79 out of 83 found this review helpful
The new VX-3000 is one of the best webcams I've used. I considered the $99 VX-6000, too, but decided it was too expensive for my needs. The best thing with the VX-3000, compared to Logitech and Creative models, is it does *not* install tons of hidden drivers, hidden DLLs, and hidden spyware; the Logitech and Creative installation utilities place tons of hidden stuff on your hard drive. The VX-3000's was a very clean installation.
I use Windows Live Messenger (aka MSN Messenger 9.0) so I get seamless integration, although I've seen people use it painlessly with Skype. It has the best webcam image quality I've seen. Windows Live Messenger has been rated by various PC magazines to be the best video chat client software, and I always had good results with Creative and Logitech cameras in the past (using MSN Messenger, which has been rebranded as Windows Live Messenger, or WLM). The VX-3000 bests them all in terms of ease of use and video quality. The built-in mic is also lightyears ahead of the yesteryear models.
In short, this is a great webcam that won't disappoint you (unless you are a fanatical anti-American or anti-Microsoftie.)
vid cam review April 4, 2007
ronnie007 (wisconsin)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
hello. anyone reading this, will be interested in the details of actually having this item. I ordered this from amazon, after some personal debate, going from website to website, searching. finally decided on amazon. first get this home, out of the box, you start to run the software, and it asks you to install the MSN software FIRST. after you get through MSN, you get to go back to the cd-rom, to install the rest of the cd that comes with this. of course, if you do not wish to have MSN on your system, you can go to add/remove in your control panel. after I got it all installed, and started to run it, it has an auto-update in it. THIS took a LONG time to download, but I finally got it done. and I picked out my victim for trying it on first on my yahoo msngr. they say it looks good, and it sounds good, with the built-in microphone.
all in all,..I like it.
it is fairly cheap to buy, easy to install, and easy to get started.
all the others claiming they had an issue with the cam base, must be doing something odd. mine seems to sit still and I have had no issue.
I gave this a perfect 5...but maybe I am too easy to please.
of all the reviews of video cams, the vx-3000 was my favorite to pick and I am not sorry.
No Problems At All September 2, 2006
E. Russo (Providence, RI)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Bought this for Windows XP. Works Great. My computer is actually a bit out of date (533 mhz!), doesn't seem to be a problem though. Sound is great. Brightness/contrast excellent. Video slightly choppy (probably cos my computer is ancient) Otherwise, It's a great product. Does the job!
Great for the price! August 6, 2008
J. Woods (Bakersfield, California)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R37KYGB82WDC30
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