I have this webcam deliberately bought as a bulk version. The scope of supply consisted accordingly from a small plastic bag and the camera itself. It measures approximately 5cm in height and width and 2 cm in depth (without the base to be considered).
To install (WinXP Prof SP3):
Since I had planned from the beginning to use the camera exclusively with Skype, there was an installation of the MS Messenger, and if possible also the LifeCam to circumvent software. Counter to the recommendation of the instructions I have the camera simply plugged into an available USB slot.
1. camera is recognized as a USB video device. Windows takes care of the rest. Because after this step, although a USB video device showed up in the device manager, but nowhere was titled the camera as a "VX-5000", I decided to update the driver. Contrary to expectations, here plays the Windows built-in auto-update for a change with time. Therefore:
. 2 Start->Einstellungen->Systemsteuerung->System->Hardware->Geräte-Manager->Bildbearbeitungsgeräte->USB-Videogerät
Update right click-> Driver and follow the instructions.
Toll! SO has Plug & Play function !!
Now the webcam in Device Manager listed as "Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000" and is fully operational. Both the Windows Movie Maker and Skype work perfectly together with the camera. Brightness control and microphone and status LED function properly. To ensure that quality is maintained in present I have the LifeCam software on a second computer to sample - Conclusion: Shoot 15 minutes installation time for a vile program for recording and photos. This may be the Windows Movie Maker better! The included "funny" video effects you can save just as confidently. Without an installation of the LifeCam software you will be spared the rest also of the annoying prompt to install the MS Messengers that pops otherwise on the camera at any inadvertent actuation of the small knob.
For picture and sound quality:
Contrary to my impressions, which I collected on youtube and at amazon.com, the picture is (with corresponding illumination) butter soft and absolutely smooth. Only when less light, the frame rates then sag strong and it comes to the most unavoidable streaking. Apart from the frame rate, the image is also in the dark very bright, sharp, easy to recognize and hardly noisy.
The sound of the built-in microphone is also crystal clear. Marvel My Opposite both image and sound.
For processing:
In my opinion one of the best webcams in the market. Quality absolutely fine. USB cable is very long. Too bad only that you can not protect it from dust and fingerprints the Obejktiv. Even though it is recessed in the housing, but this complicates a possible cleaning.
Conclusion:
Best product, Best Price! Am not come to test the competitors Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. Some are going to say, that would be (alone priced) a completely different league. But I can hardly imagine that the dual display performance justifies opposite the VX-5000 me!
