Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 (68A-00001) | 
| Brand: Microsoft
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $17.90
You Save: $32.09 (64%)
New (53) Used (7) from $15.99
Rating:  294 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:
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
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 289 more reviews...
 Exactly what I wanted February 25, 2007
Mute208 (Bay Area, CA)
157 out of 158 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)
76 out of 80 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.)
Good Camera - Some Issues Though February 5, 2007
I. Bajwa (Milwaukee, WI)
56 out of 59 found this review helpful
I bought this webcam for both audio and video functionality. What I like about this webcam is:
1. Good picture quality (you can set low light mode from software settings if you want to use this webcam in average room light).
2. Tracks your face (This is not very well built feature though and can create some issues in video)
3. Good quality audio with room & speaker noise cancellation.
4. Good price point.
What I didn't like:
1. This is not a plug and play camera (as one of the other reviewer claimed it is). I like plug and play cameras because I can use them between different computers without loading 50MB software in each one.
Over all if I had to I will buy it again - its worth every cent.
 Very frustrating experience on XP, hard to troubleshoot September 2, 2007
Atanas Banov (Mountain View, CA United States)
35 out of 37 found this review helpful
This so far is the most frustrating USB-connected hardware I've dealt with.
As soon as I installed the software from CD, I was able to see the image while going through the config wizard but soon the image froze and half a minute later the computer crashed with BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) diagnostic, that said it was an USB related STOP condition.
I searched MS support KB and found suggestion on limiting the USB bandwidth used - by unchecking "Auto" in configuration and decreasing the speed manually (I brought it from 6mbps to 3). After that the camera seemed to work more reliably and I could use it from Skype and Yahoo messenger.
Funny enough, the MS own provided LifeCam software wouldn't work with the camera. After I start it, I could go to the settings and preferences just fine, but the main window shows timeout message and all buttons are grayed out.
In a hope software update can solve the issue, I went for it. The software it came with on CD is v1.10, after installation checks and asks you to download an update that bumps it to v1.20. No good. I checked on Microsoft Hardware site and lo and behold, there is v1.30, which they offer you for the vx-3000. OK, so I install it - tough luck, LifeCam still doesn't work. At which point I decided that LifeCam is a heap of manure and uninstalled you - not to worry, the webcam drivers remain installed for use with Skype/Yahoo/other less fertilizing programs.
Here is a troubleshooting advice I learned from MS KB as well: if the camera doesn't get recognized anymore - which needless to say happened to me too, unplugging and re-plugging registers it as Unknown device and "Update Driver" couldn't recognize it anymore. In such a case go to Device Manager and delete anything under "Universal Serial Bus controllers", then let Windows rediscover and re-install the devices (eventually restart).
Tip #2: annoyed by the button on top always trying to fire up MSN messenger which you never use? No nice way to turn that off (what! dare you think of not using Microsoft's Live Messenger?!). So here is a hack: go to Program Files/Microsoft LiveCam directory, find and rename icepick.exe to icepick.ex_ . Ta-da - no more annoying popups while you were just trying to adjust the camera angle and hit that big button. Really advanced users can find in registry to path to icepick.exe and change it to a more useful program, like Skype.
Caveat emptor: the tips provided assume good knowledge of what you are doing, for example if you don't know what Device Manager is to return the camera and buy one that is not so darn difficult to install.
Some driver info for techies September 30, 2007
ChurchOfJesusChrist.Net (Southern Republik of California, USA)
26 out of 31 found this review helpful
This is to provide "techies" with information on the LifeCam drivers. If you are not a techy and are not interested in the nitty-gritty details of the LifeCam drivers (whether to help your buying decision, or to ease installation/updates), your time may be better spent reading others' reviews, with the exception of the paragraph immediately below. Please do not give this review an unhelpful rating if VX-3000/LifeCam driver info isn't what you're looking for!
Users on dialup or without internet access should know that Microsoft is not allowing download of the 'driver only' (you must download the whole installer "CD" anew each time), so for dialup/no internet users, short of somehow getting a new driver CD sent to you by mail (good luck), you may be out of luck for driver updates, which could be a very bad thing. If you are on dialup or don't know someone with hi-speed and a CD burner, or you can't download/burn at work, I'd recommend against purchasing any LifeCam webcam, because a 120MB download would take days over dialup. (You may ask why someone without hi-speed would purchase a webcam, and the answer is to record videos and stills, or to use for security.)
I hate bloatware, huge drivers, etc, and unfortunately, the 'big 3' webcam manufacturers (Logitech, Creative Labs, and Microsoft) are known for their bloaty drivers/included programs.
Especially suspicious of Microsoft, since they have access to their own code and who knows what they could do to your OS or require you install/upgrade, I decided to download the web drivers to see the size. The latest as of this writing, LifeCam version 1.4, is 120 Megabytes! Yeowch! You need that much code to make a USB webcam work? I knew that the actual "driver" inside is very small. But wait--it gets more interesting.
I was able to change the lifecam driver download from an .exe extension, to .zip, and extract the files. To prevent use of not-techy-enough users, I won't provide the full path. But suffice it to say that the actual "driver" and .inf installer file is located in the "driver32" or "driver64" folders (depending on your OS). From there you have the choice of the four LifeCam models currently being sold by Microsoft. There are two inf's for each model, say vx3000.inf (apparently for the camera) and vx3000m.inf (apparently "m" for "microphone"). I haven't actually purchased this model (yet), but knowing I can try using it installing the driver "only", makes it more encouraging for me. I don't really mind downloading the 120 megs--it's 'installing' it which bothers me.
The direct source of Microsoft's LifeCam driver download (which may otherwise be difficult to find) is [at microsoft.com] /hardware/digitalcommunication/downloads/default.mspx . The directory structure of the downloaded LifeCam driver suite mirrors the CD... complete with "autorun.inf" in the root directory. You could just burn the unzipped archive straight to CD for a non-techy friend and they'd have a fully functional updated Driver CD, which they could install on their own.
About a quarter of the CD/downloaded drivers is taken up by silly "themes", or png's of, let's say, a cartoon butterfly 'flying' across your webcam screen, or cartoonish leaves falling. It looks like the animations were drawn in an advanced art class of a Chinese prison (the themes do have an Asian feel to them, but not cute like Japanese, just really cheesy/lame). You'd have to be extremely easily amused to find any of that useful.
59 of the unzipped megabytes is dominated by DirectX 9.0c, which has its own folder in the archive. It's ridiculous to force people to download this if they already have it, as this is available from Microsoft as a separate download.
Unzipped/unpacked, the drivers actually grow to 265MB. So between the 120MB for the installer archive and that, you now have 385MB used on your hard drive just for your webcam, not including the installation itself. Not a huge deal, but still brow-furrowing for a webcam.
Strangely enough, I can't find Windows Messenger in the drivers. That appears to be a separate download(?). I'm not sure yet if it's necessary to have that installed to use, say, Skype successfully. I'll report back if I find out. I'm also worried about whether the cam needs to have the latest Windows Media Player or any other proprietary OS components updated (which would be a dealbreaker for me), but it appears not at this point.
I've seen reviews which states XP users need SP2 to correctly run the camera, but that may be incorrect because the readme.txt gives a specific Microsoft KB update for USB driver updates for SP1 users which may do the trick if needing SP2 is a dealbreaker for you... your mileage may vary, but the readme.txt does imply that SP1 with that KB update should work. Lifecam v1.4 appears to have properly-updated Vista drivers. There were a lot of Vista issues originally with these cams. I would be surprised if that has not been all sorted out by now.
I keep seeing Windows Messenger as the best video client, closely followed by Skype, and though I hate windows messaging products, I might be willing to give it a spin if it's as smooth as people say it is, though I am a pretty good fan of Skype already. As stated in a previous review, you can disable the "LifeCam" button by finding and renaming "icepick.exe" in the program folder.
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