Ab Work Outs: Creative Labs Live! Cam Optia AF 2.0MP Webcam with Autofocus Lens Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)QUICK UPDATE Before you read the review:
The listing states that a Creative headset is included...it is NOT!!!!There was no headset in my box.Come on AMAZON/CREATIVE at-least get the listing right.I would downgrade to 4/5 for that mis-information.

Hello All,
First of all...yes I have received this camera for free under the Vine program at Amazon.However, my review is unbiased and honest.I am comparing this to a Logitech Webcam that I already have.

So it begins.I received the camera this morning and immediately broke it out of the box so I could start using it.
THE BOX INCLUDES:
The Camera, simple one page documentation and a CD with software.

FEATURES:
The Creative Optia AF has an autofocus lens,
A 2mp (1600x1200)sensor which can take photo's at 8.0 megapixels and video at 2.0 megapixels,
A noise canceling microphone.
****(NOTE: Photo's are taken at 2.0mp and upconverted using the software included with the camera.The pictures are captured at 2.0mp.)

This unit was plugged into a USB port on a dell monitor connected to a MAC pro running OS X version 10.5.6.Also, I am comparing this camera to the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro (Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac (Black)).

There are sample images attached of one camera taking a picture of the other camera in the same lighting conditions.

First things first, I plugged the creative camera into my monitor and it was immediately recognized by MAC OS X.I used photobooth to take pictures from both cameras.What I found interesting at this point was that when the creative was plugged in, it took preference and was the default camera...even though the logitech was still plugged in.Very interesting.

The pictures: I can tell you that, without a doubt, the creative has better autofocus control and the lighting looks better.The logitech looks 'yellowish'.My untrained eye suggests that the pictures from the creative web cam are far superior.Mind you, both of these units have small lenses and so no masterpiece will come out of them...but as far as web cams go the Creative seems to have more of a natural look and not an overexposed yellowish look.

The video: While I dont think that a web-cam should be used to capture high end video, this unit can be used to capture video at 640x480 and then up-converted to 1600x1200 using the included software.The upconversion is a useless feature for me since I believe that web-cam video at 640x480 is PERFECT for the time being.We are not doing HD broadcasts with web-cams are we?If we need higher video broadcast quality then we should be using real cameras that can send out hq video.

Skype Test: I am sure all of you know what Skype is so I wont get into any details.I made a test call with Skype to my office and made sure that the person on the other end was paying attention to the image detail.First it was the creative and then the logitech.Here are the comments from the other end: "The first video was much clearer and I could see that you have not shaved today, The second video looked like you were sitting in the SUN and hid the scruff on your face.The first was clearly better!"Enough said if you ask me.Now granted this was only one test call..but sometimes that is enough to tell you what you need to know.This was tested over a Cable Modem connection (Comcast) that has about 15mbps down and 2mbps up. A variety of other programs were running while skyping (is that a word?).

Background music was playing at a nominal volume so as to check if noise canceling and adaptive microphones worked properly, it did!The other party did hear the music when I was not speaking but said the music drowned out immediately when my voice was being transmitted.

Physical Aspects:
The creative unit comes on a clear acrylic base which you can simply sit on your desk.It also does however have a curved design at the bottom which allows you to place it on top of a monitor.(The logitech also has these features, but the creative looks sharper!).The camera can be rotated about 270 degrees.It has two microphones to the left of the lens so that it can clearly pick up your voice and cancel out the noise...(this was also tested in the skype chat with background music playing).

Software:I personally do not feel the need to install extra software on my system but I must inform you that is available and adds a few features to the camera.Here are a few of the key points:
1. Parental Control - so you can lock the camera from being used.
2. Avatars - You are able to use avatars and add video and voice effects to your video chats.This feature also allows you to create avatars from your own pictures.

The software is not a necessity on any system that can recognize USB devices, primarily newer operating systems that have camera support built in.However, please note that the software will be required if you want to use the parental lock features and if you want your images to be upconverted (interpolated) from 2.0mp to 8.0mp.

Overall this camera has proven to be clearly superior to the Logitech and in my testing the video, still shots, and voice quality have shown vast improvements.Before you make the purchase, make sure you know what you are buying...it is a great WEB-CAM for your computer...it will not replace your digital camera and or high quality video camcorder.If you buy it with that in mind, you will be more then satisfied.However, if you are looking to start broadcasting HD video and High Quality images...stick with your regular hardware...this wont cut it.

I will be using this permanently from today onwards and will be reporting in from time to time.

Please share your comments on this review and ask any questions you may have so that I can investigate and answer them thoroughly.

5/5

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Labs Live Cam Optia AF 2.0MP Webcam with Autofocus Lens

Product Description:
Look and sound your very best with the Creative Live! Cam Optia AF. The advanced autofocus lens, quality 2.0 megapixel sensor, and built-in Live! View technology ensure you'll look sharp in bright sunlight or even in a dimly lit room. The adaptive array microphones go beyond normal noise cancellation to give you the clearest voice chat without the background noise or the hassle of being tethered to your computer. Full featured software makes chatting more fun and safer for your kids. And installation is easy-the true Plug and Play install gets you up and running in popular IM programs like Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger and AIM before you even install the CD. Other features include still image capture at up to 8.0 MP resolution, high quality auto focus lens, video capture at up to 30 frames per second using USB port, smart face tracking with 4x digital zoom, camera rotation up to 270 degrees with auto image flip and privacy mode, parental controls, and plug and chat.

Get 51% OFF