Simplify your laptop buyingCreative WebCam Live Ultra
Manufacturer: Creative Part number: 73VF006000000
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- This Webcam provides great software and good video and picture quality for amateurs, but more-advanced users may crave additional settings and editing options.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/03/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Creative WebCam Live Ultra price range: $64.47
- Reviewed by: Lara Luepke
- Edited by: Lindsey Turrentine
- Reviewed on: 04/08/2005
- Released on: 04/01/2005
The good: Rotates 360 degrees; useful software bundle.
The bad: Pixelated and dark images with video instant messaging; stand isn't compatible with CRT monitors.
The bottom line: This Webcam provides great software and good video and picture quality for amateurs, but more-advanced users may crave additional settings and editing options.
The Creative WebCam Live Ultra sits atop a tripod base. The front two legs are hooked to hold onto the front of the monitor, while a third leg folds down against the back of the monitor for support. This design works well for LCDs and other flat screens, but it doesn't work well with CRTs: the third leg folds out only 90 degrees, so it sits unsecured on top of the monitor, leaving the top-heavy unit liable to tip over. The camera itself is highly adjustable and can rotate 360 degrees. From vertical, it can tilt 45 degrees forward and 45 degrees back. A large focus ring around the lens makes the focus easy to adjust.
Installing the Creative WebCam Live Ultra is easy: simply drop in the installation CD and install the drivers; you can choose to install Creative WebCam Center, Yahoo Instant Messenger, and a detailed Live Ultra user guide. As with most PC Webcams, the majority of the features are in the software. The camera sports 1.3-megapixel snapshot resolution and 640x480-pixel video resolution, and you can make simple edits to still photos. Other features include smart face tracking, where the camera follows and zoom in on your face as you move; remote monitoring, which takes photos of your home or office and sends them to an FTP for you to check in on; a motion detector, which, when set, will start recording as soon as motion is detected; and time-lapse video which will take a still shot at a set interval and play the shots back as a video. The only feature that didn't impressed us was face tracking: it follows anything that moves--be it an arm, a hand, or a face. An additional ArcSoft software CD includes: VideoImpression, which lets you do simple edits to video; PhotoImpression, for doing simple edits to photos; Multimedia e-mail, which lets you create e-cards; and Collage Creator, for creating scrapbook-style collages. All of these programs are relatively easy to use and provide basic cropping and editing tools, but more-advanced users may crave more editing, color, and settings options.
The Creative WebCam Live Ultra features true high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, while still supporting USB 1.1; however, we couldn't tell a performance difference between this and similar Webcams that operate only on USB 1.1. Performance with video instant messengers is decent; on the initiating end, video is clear and fairly smooth, although color quality is sometimes flat and dark (depending on the amount of light), and on the receiving end, the image is dark and video is choppy. Using WebCam Center, the video performance is of good quality. You can capture between 176x144- and 640x480-pixel resolution video at 30 frames per second (fps) with RGB 24 or I420 video formats. In our tests at each size, the video was smooth, with a well-synchronized audio track. Audio quality with the camera's external headset and microphone is clear; there's no built-in microphone.
This camera's white-balance and exposure controls are automatic, as is its wide-screen view, and the automatic settings work well in high light situations. In dim environments, however, we found that the subject of the video, whether it was a person's face or a soda can, looked very dark and nearly indiscernible. We wish the camera had more-customizable color, video, and editing setting options for more advanced users.
User reviews
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it doesn't work with my Toshiba Satellite notebook
by piston on July 21, 2005
Pros: It works on my tower pc , good zoom
Cons: Installation program very poor, get lost in the process
Summary: I tried to make it works with my Toshiba A75 S209 (Pentium4 processor)notebook but there is just no way to do that, I followed all the Creative support suggestions (...
Summary: I tried to make it works with my Toshiba A75 S209 (Pentium4 processor)notebook but there is just no way to do that, I followed all the Creative support suggestions (clean reinstall, reinstall OS, ecc)with the result of just loosing tens of hours in a useless strugle. There is just no way to install the webcam drivers on the notebook, as I cannot bring it back I will have to buy another one (but NO MORE CREATIVE STUFF).
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great value for the money
by madprof on July 21, 2005
Pros: Sharp videos, vivid color, great in low light, easy to install and use.
Cons: needs more color balance control for software
Summary: The Webcam is an excellent value. It came down to a choice between the Logitech 4000 and the Veo Advanced. I made a good decision with the Live Ultra. Installation ...
Summary: The Webcam is an excellent value. It came down to a choice between the Logitech 4000 and the Veo Advanced. I made a good decision with the Live Ultra. Installation was straight-forward and quick. I purchased it to work with Camtasia 3.0 which will allow Picture-In-Picture in presentations. Works great with the Camtasia.
It is having a bit of conflict, possibly with my ATI-AIW. However, I can work around that. I'm running this on a 2.4GHz Intel and Creative recommends a 2.8. They mean it. I have just a bit of lag ocassionally. Time to upgrade!
Best value for the money!2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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WebCam Live!
by nitekix521 on March 9, 2007
Pros: worked great till i got windows vista
Cons: No Development Planned for Vista Drivers
Summary: Creative should support this camera
Summary: Creative should support this camera
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Does not install on Compaq desktop with AMD Athalon 64 processor
by niltel on January 17, 2006
Pros: ???None that I know of
Cons: Tech support useless
Summary: Same problem as laptop users mentioned. We have a brand new Compaq desktop and Windows would not recognize the USB device and installation CD would freeze our computer after not ...
Summary: Same problem as laptop users mentioned. We have a brand new Compaq desktop and Windows would not recognize the USB device and installation CD would freeze our computer after not installing the driver. Creative's web site didn't have a solution, nor did the rep that came with their 60 days of free telephone support, he said the camera was faulty and to exchange it. After an exchange, we had the same problem as the first time. Should have read the reviews before the first exchange, would have saved a trip. We ended up with the Logitech Pro 5000, no audio problems and great picture after a super fast and easy install. I think Creative needs to update their installation software.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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don't work with acer aspire 5020 notebook
by jeReX on October 16, 2005
Pros: nice design, work with friend's dell inspiron 6000 notebook
Cons: camera don't work with many other notebook's
Summary: i think there is some problem with USB power, because Windows can't detect connected device, so i want to check it with AC powered USB Hub, but i don'...
Summary: i think there is some problem with USB power, because Windows can't detect connected device, so i want to check it with AC powered USB Hub, but i don't have one and i don't want to spend extra money just for testing creative's mistakes. i will never more buy WebCam from Creative !
Updated
this creative webcam simply don't work even on ac powered usb hub and i don't have any other ideas what other i can try.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Failed install on 3 computers
by paulgrant42 on July 13, 2006
Pros: None that I have experienced
Cons: Creative fails to acknowledge the issues with this abysmal device.
Summary: I downloaded the very latest drivers for this webcam. Tried installing on three difference computers, all less than 2 years old: Toshiba laptop Windows MC, Dell laptop Windows XP SP2, ...
Summary: I downloaded the very latest drivers for this webcam. Tried installing on three difference computers, all less than 2 years old: Toshiba laptop Windows MC, Dell laptop Windows XP SP2, Desktop with Asus motherboard Windows XP SP2. The install went fine on all three, but after installing and rebooting all three failed to recognize the device. All were USB 2.0. Tried both direct connections and powered hubs on all three. Search for "Ultra" on the Creative webcam message board and you will see many, many people have the exact same install issues. Creative needs to take this failure off of the market.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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How to get your Creative Webcam Live! in Windows Vista.
by PM2000 on November 28, 2008
Pros: Like the web cam.
Cons: No problem with it
Summary: This how you get your Creative Webcam Live! working in Windows Vista.
1)Go to cd rom Drive where your Cd is highlight it click right mouse explore cd.
2)...Summary: This how you get your Creative Webcam Live! working in Windows Vista.
1)Go to cd rom Drive where your Cd is highlight it click right mouse explore cd.
2)Highlight the Demo shield muti CD Launch Install Shield. Right click mouse open
Properties
3)Go to Campatibility.
4)click on [Run] Windows sever 2003 (Serivce pack 1) then hit apply close it
5)Double click Demo shield muti CD Launch Install Shield it should load then click next
to install.
6)this should solve lot people problems with there webcam Cd drivers working in Windows Vista. -
Sharpest Image
by k4z3 on August 24, 2005
Pros: good frame rate and sharp
Cons: the stand is quite awkward
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Put it back down now!
by herbiepopnecker on August 22, 2006
Pros: looks quite funky
Cons: Bad software, poor pics
Summary: Most useless included software everm no access to zoom, contrast, camera controls. No passive FTP option, flimsy design poor focusing.
Pictures always blurry, hi-res is worse than my $30 camera'...Summary: Most useless included software everm no access to zoom, contrast, camera controls. No passive FTP option, flimsy design poor focusing.
Pictures always blurry, hi-res is worse than my $30 camera's low-res
All in all I wish I hadn't wasted money, could have bought 3 cheap cameras. JUNK.0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A waste of money
by NicCam69 on July 26, 2006
Pros: Cheap web cam
Cons: You get what you pay for.
Summary: If you want a cheap cam here you go. The picture quailty is really poor. It is really hard to focus this webcam. I wish I had not wasted my ...
Summary: If you want a cheap cam here you go. The picture quailty is really poor. It is really hard to focus this webcam. I wish I had not wasted my money on this cam. You get what you pay for. I just relearned a very valuable lesson.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Creative
- Part number: 73VF006000000
- Description: Creative WebCam Live! Ultra is a feature-rich webcam that will give you an amazing video instant messaging experience. With a unique wide-angle lens, instant messaging is like never before. Now you and your entire family can get in front of the camera and say "hello, " all at once. The Live! Ultra's wide-angle lens produces a 50% wider field of view than most other webcams, so now three or more people can stand or sit in a comfortable space and video chat together. The Live! Ultra's smart face tracking feature keeps you in the center of attention, and it even detects when there are multiple people in the room and zooms out to get everybody in the picture. Creative Live! Ultra is a true high-speed USB 2.0 device. With high-speed USB 2.0 you'll get faster frame rates with your video, making it smoother and more fluid than video using USB 1.1 webcams. You'll also see more vibrant, true-to-life colored images when instant messaging. It is the perfect webcam for sharing live video on the Internet, especially for those with a broadband connection. Creative understands that video quality is not the only thing that matters when instant messaging. You want to be heard clearly as well. That is why a high quality headset with Creative Live! Ultra is included. The Creative hands-free headset makes sure only your voice is delivered through the Internet by eliminating any background noise and crosstalk. With the hands-free headset, you'll also enjoy a private conversation when video chatting.
General
- Device Type Web camera
- Video input type Digital video camera
- Digital Zoom 4
- Gross sensor resolution 1,300,000 pixels
- Optical sensor type CCD
- Continuous shooting speed 30 frames per second
- Software Included Yahoo! Messenger, Drivers & Utilities, ArcSoft Collage Creator, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft VideoImpression, ArcSoft Multimedia Email
Camera
- Type Color
- Still Image 640 x 480
Image Sensor
- Type CCD
Lens Construction
- Focus Adjustment Manual
Interfaces
- Computer Interface Hi-Speed USB
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x Hi-Speed USB
- Compatible Slots None
- Connections 1 x USB
- Cables included 1 x USB cable - 6 ft
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable - 6 ft
Power
- Battery None
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP
- Min Processor Type 700 MHz
- Peripheral / Interface Devices CD-ROM
- System Requirements Details Pentium III - RAM 128 MB - HD 100 MB
Memory / Storage
- Digital storage media 300 MB
Manufacturer info
- Creative
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Creative products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://us.creative.com
- Address:
1901 McCarthy Blvd. Milpitas, CA 95035, Milpitas, CA 95035 - Phone: 800-998-1000
