Creative Labs PD1130 WebCam NX Pro: A Must for ebay Sellers
Written: Jan 12 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good audio/video, easy to use, quick set up, great value
Cons: Mediocre software and poor base stand
The Bottom Line: A very good webcam and a great value.
|
|
|
| hwz1's Full Review: Creative Technology Video Blaster NX PRO Web Cam |
My logitech webcam recently died on me and I had to have it replaced. After going through two Logitech webcams in a matter of four years, I was ready to try something else. I have become familiar with the Creative Labs name over the years and have always felt that they have produced a good product. Hence, I decided to make a change and go with the Creative Labs webcam versus the Logitech.
THE SPECIFICS:
* 640 x 480 VGA with CMOS sensor
* USB 1.1 connection
* Video capture of 640 x 480 and still images of 1024 x
768
* Microphone
* Quick snapshot button
* Compatible with Yahoo, MSN, and other Windows based IM
platforms that support video.
* Three way base provides solid platform
* ArcSoft software provided for video or photo editing
WHAT I LIKE:
1. The picture is quite good for a webcam that runs about $50. I have taken a number of still photos of people and items and they have all turned out surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because I do not need a great webcam; just one that is good enough to use occasionally for ebay and other similar type endevours. At any rate, the photos are clearer and sharper than what the Logitech produced.
2. The audio works quite well. This does not surprise me all that much as voice over internet protocol is supposed to be the big thing this year. In other words, the techies of the world are going to have us all making phone calls over the internet soon. Yet, the improvement over the Logitech was substantial. The 14 month old Logitech produced a very fuzzy and shrill sounding voice and quite often the quality was so poor that you did not bother using the microphone. This webcam has yet to result in either problem and the audio is actually a preferred way to communicate versus typing.
3. Installation is as easy as could be. Simply remove from the package and then connect to your computer via the USB port. Next you will set the base wherever you plan on having the camera and then you are basically done. The only step remaining is to go ahead and download the software. The software instructions are easy to follow and quite intuitive. In a matter of five minutes, you are ready to use the webcam.
4. Video and picture options are good and easy to use. What do I mean? You can control the brightness, contrast, and other similar screen controls. This is important because with the older webcams you might have to sit with a lamp on your head in order to be seen. Unless the room was bright, you were not going to look like much more than a blob. This webcam removes that problem with controls that actually work.
5. I can use this for video conferences and not feel like I am putting out a cheap image. I will mention that the best view is when you are sitting within about a 10 foot range and further than a few feet away. Alas, this is where I would expect you to be for a video conference.
6. The webcam works with MSN, Yahoo, and other video enabled platforms. I use MSN and yahoo messenger. I use both because I have friends and associates who happen to use both services and who happen to know me from either service. I can use this webcam with either service and/or any other services that I choose to download. While this is not a huge plus- since I would expect it to be the case-I am glad that I have this ability.
7. Ease of use. Webcams are always pretty easy to use. I mean they basically involve nothing more than a few options when shooting and a maybe a quick shot button in order to take a photo. This one has all of the above. Yep, it has the quick shot button, the ability to change the delay for photo and video shooting, and the ability to change the quality of the production. All of the extras are easy to use and rather self explanatory.
8. The thing costs less than $50 everywhere and can be had for as little as $32 if you utilize a $10 rebate check. I paid around $75 a little over a year ago for a Logitech that was not nearly as good as this webcam. The Creative Labs webcam is a great value.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
1. The platform that Creative Labs describes as "revolutionary" gets it's moniker by being of revolutionary poor design. The company claims that the base is great because it can be mounted on top of desktop or on the frame of a laptop. While this is true, it just does not have any sort of stability to it. The idea is nice and may be revolutionary, but the application is not all that great.
2. The software is not great. I wish they had used a different software vendor (Adobe?), but also understand that doing so might have increased the price. This software that comes with the package is not bad, but it is different from what I am accustomed to and not quite as intuitive when it comes to actual use. I do not use the software all that much and it may be better once I get more used to it, but for now I cannot consider it to be a positive.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I am quite pleased with the Creative Labs PD 1130 WebCam NX Pro (Why do all electronics have to have such long names?) and highly recommend it. The audio and video are both quite good and the webcam is very easy to set up and operate. The base and the software are not the best, but they both suffice. I have become a believer in the Creative Labs product and will be kissing Logitech goodbye for good. A very good webcam for the price.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
hwz1
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 845
Trusted by: 923 members
About Me:
Just got a big promotion that will move my new wife and I to Atlanta.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.