Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 -- The Prefect Upgrade for any Notebook
Written: Feb 05 '07 (Updated Apr 20 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Compact, stylist, HD quality still and video, easy to set up and use
Cons: None at present.
The Bottom Line: Easy to use, provides detail, clear images and sound, low price.
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| GaryD's Full Review: Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 Webcam for PC (NQA-00004... |
I ordered my Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 for Office Depot the first part of January 2007. However, I only received it last week. But the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 was definitely worth waiting for.
It's perfect for almost any notebook running Windows XP or the new operating system Vista. It can be used on some notebooks running Windows Me and even Win98SE given enough memory.
First off one notice the compact sleek design, a two-tone charcoal gray and platinum finish. The camera's lens closes up inside its main casing to protect the lens from dust and scratches during transit. The device is about 3 inches in length with the lens closed by half and inches wide and about three quarters depth due to the attachment clip.
When you release the lens of the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 by depressing it. The lens is adjustable and rotates approximately thirty-five degrees in a vertical direction top to bottom.
The USB cable attached to the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 is around twelve inches in length. I found this to be sufficient for my notebook and believe the cables length would be ample for even a seventeen-inch screen display notebook as well.
When you are not using the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 on your notebook and you have it in transit. The web cam comes with its own black cylindrical shaped carrying case. The Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 fits in nicely and the case itself is very attractive.
WHAT'S IN THE PACKAGING?
When you tear into the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 cool modern packaging, you should find: one Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000, one, CDROM for software installation and one carrying case. In addition, a few loose leaf postcard size flyers offering free backgrounds, winks, and emotions for Windows Live Messenger, the free offering has an expected expiration date around June 2007.
WILL INSTALLATION BE A MAJOR OR MINER SURGERY?
Most technology devices today simply require the end user to plug in the USB cable to be recognized. You will find that you must step back a moment and insert the included CDROM, continue to install and follow all the onscreen installation instructions. This merely takes a couple of minutes but could possible take longer on a slower machine. Once the installation has completed the onscreen instruction request you to plug in the USB cable and finish. Once you have reached this step you need to adjust the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 video/camera and mic settings to your liking, all of which are very simple and easy enough for a child to perform. The surgery was painless and went without a hatch.
HOW THE Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 ATTACHES?
At first glance it didn't appear the camera would attach to my notebook screen even thought the screen is almost paper thin. The clip appeared to be in a fix position. This was not the case at all, I investigated the device an explored its design, merely to discover that the clip needs to be manually pulled out gently from the cam itself to extend. Microsoft failed to document this in their included materials. Hopefully, they will amend their documentation before units are returned unnecessary. No straining pressure required to attach this wonderful Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000. It goes on without any stress and slips right off without marring the notebook's finish. The clip has a soft rubberized cushioning on both insides of the clip to protect your notebook's finish from damage.
HOW WELL DOES THE Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 PERFORM?
Sign onto Windows Live Messenger and click on your choice of using the web cam without audio or webcam with the mic activated. I found the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 started up without issue and provided a very nice clear sharp video image and the audio was exceptional too. The image quality is very good in low light situations but the more room light you have the better for really quality images. The Microsoft logo on the front of the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 acts like a spot light in low light or no light areas. The light has a photo sensor that detects the level of room lighting and comes on automatically without the user needing to fumble to switch it on or off.
USER FRIENDLY
You will find the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 is very user friendly and the software provides a number of user adjustable features. Including varying the video size down to a very low definition quality to accommodate users on slow internet speeds to high definition taking advantage of DSL and Broadband large pipelines so to provide quality video while you communicate with loved ones and friends online.
WOULD RECOMMEND
I would definitely recommend the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 without hesitation to anyone researching to buy their first web cam or to replace a current one. Everything is ready out of the box, everything you need without an additional purchase, and the software can be upgraded instantly provide you have a live internet connection.
I'm currently using this web cam with Gateway's MX3702 Notebook computer. See my review at the following URL: http://www.epinions.com/content_301621939844 .
THE FEATURES
The Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 features: High Definition 2.0 Megapixel Video offering you crystal clear video with High Definition Video up to 1600 × 1190 pixels. This little wonder also takes astounding photos with its High Definition 7.6 Megapixel still photos show you in the best light with resolutions up to 3200 × 2380 pixels (interpolated). The Built-in Microphone automatically picks up your voice with CD like clarity. Wide-angle Lens has a 71 degree wide angle lens ensuring no one is left out of the picture or you my zoom in with the 3X Digital Zoom offering realistic, up-close-and-personal video. Microsoft states the NX 6000 is optimized for Windows Live Messenger the NX 600. How well I cannot say at the moment because I have not attempted to use the webcam with other messenger services. Notebook Mobility The Pan and Tilt The pan and tilt functionality are manually controlled with a wide range of movement.
THE SPECIFICATIONS (Specs have been taken directly form Microsoft.com)
This information has been provide for reader convenience.
For a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer:
Operating System
Windows Vista™ or Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Hard Drive 300-700 MB free
Connectivity USB 1.1 (USB 2.0 recommended); USB 2.0 required for 1.3 MP or higher video capture resolution. Systems without USB 2.0 may achieve 800 × 600 pixel resolution.
Intel Pentium® III 700 MHz (Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz recommended) or higher.
CD-ROM drive.
Display adapter capable of 16-bit color depth or higher, 2 MB or higher video memory.
Broadband Internet access required; access fees may apply.
Audio: Windows-compatible speakers or headphones.
Internet functions (post to Windows Live™ Spaces, send in e-mail, video calls) also require: Broadband (cable, DSL, or other), modem, Internet Explorer® 6 or later browser software (required for installation), 25 MB hard-drive space typically required (users can maintain other default Web browsers after installation), and access to the Internet through MSN® or another Internet service provider (ISP).
Recommended:
Yes
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GaryD
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