Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (Red)
Manufacturer: Microsoft Part number: RKA-00014
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Despite its uninspired software, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 proves its worth with outstanding image quality, a funky and useful design, and low price.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (Red) price range: $16.83
- Reviewed by: Matthew Elliott
- Reviewed on: 05/14/2008
The good: Excellent image quality, especially in low light; flexible rubber stand provides a stable and versatile base.
The bad: LifeCam application is lackluster; not compatible with Macs.
The bottom line: Despite its uninspired software, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 proves its worth with outstanding image quality, a funky and useful design, and low price.
The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 offers vastly superior performance and a much improved design compared with last year's LifeCam NX-3000 model. The VX-5000 features a square shaped camera body on top of a bendable, rubber stand, which makes it easy to position on your laptop, LCD, or desk. Underneath the hood, the VX-5000 received a new image sensor and lens that results in stellar image quality, particularly in low light. Aside from an updated look, the bundled LifeCam software is unfortunately the same lackluster application that shipped with last year's LifeCams. Still, you won't find a better performing Webcam for $50 when it's released next month.
Last year's LifeCam models, the NX-3000 (meant for laptops) and VX-7000 (for desktops), featured rectangular cameras connected to clips that were meant for the top of a laptop or LCD but not your desk. The VX-5000's camera is a 1.75 inch by 1.75-inch square, and it's connected to a 3.4-inch rubber tail. The middle portion of the tail can bend, and it holds its shape. The rubber is also heavy enough to counteract the weight of the camera, which lets you find a stable position whether it's resting on top of a thin laptop lid or thicker LCD or CRT monitors. Curve the rubber tail into a C shape, and you can perch the VX-5000 on top of your desk.
The camera body and rubber stand are black, but Microsoft offers a slight nod toward customization by making the camera in one of three colors. We received the red model; green and blue are the other options. The camera swivels from side to side, to about 30 degrees in either direction, but it doesn't offer any tilt. To adjust the camera up or down, you will need to fiddle with the rubber base to reposition it. A Windows Live Call button on the top of the camera brings up your IM contacts to start a video call, but you are almost certain to accidentally hit it when attempting to adjust the position of the camera.
Under the hood, the VX-5000 features a standard VGA sensor that captures 640x480 video and still images (it can also snap 1.3-megapixel stills through software interpolation). What's changed, however, is the size of the pixels on the camera's sensor. According to Microsoft, the pixels are 2.4 times larger than the NX-3000's. The lens has a large aperture that lets more light reach the sensor. The combined effect of the new optics was readily apparent.
The two LifeCam models I reviewed last year were merely average performers, and both really struggled in low light. The LifeCam VX-5000 featured marked improvement, particularly in low-light scenarios. It showed little of the graininess that plagued last year's LifeCams. In a darkened room with really only the light of the laptop screen illuminating my face, the picture was bright and clean with accurate colors and very little noise. With the camera turned to my wife sitting next to me on the couch, with no light source near her, the picture was well rendered. It was every bit as good as the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, which uses Logitech's RightLight technology with good results in low light. Better yet, the LifeCam VX-5000 is cheaper and has a better design than the Logitech cam.
Webcams also struggle to keep up with fast-moving scenes. I performed a little kung fu fighting in front of the VX-5000, and dropped frames were few and far between. Image quality also degrades with any Webcam when video conferencing rather than simply recording a video. The VX-5000 is no different in this regard, but it still provided a very good image when using Skype. The image was cleaner and much less washed out than my MacBook's integrated camera, for example, with brighter, more accurate colors.
Unfortunately, it ships with the same LifeCam software. It has an updated look but the same functionality underneath. I wasn't a fan of the application last year (read my reviews of the NX-3000 and VX-7000 for more), and I'm no more a fan of it today. It makes it easy enough to record video or audio or snap a picture, but the e-mail button forces you to answer 20 questions before letting you simply e-mail a video or still image. The video effects are more lame than goofy, and the LifeCam window shows only your last video or still image captured as opposed to the more useful strip of thumbnails that Logitech's QuickCam software provides. You can easily open the folder to where video and images taken with the VX-5000 are stored, however. Microsoft says an overhaul to its LifeCam application is slated for this fall.
Microsoft backs the LifeCam VX-5000 with a three-year warranty.
User reviews
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Great picture & functionality. Better than expected.
by ncbookie on May 10, 2011
Pros: Video is clear and sharp.
Low light picture is very good.
Built-in adjustments eliminate (for me) blurry movement.
Hard rubber, bendable stand very useful for mounting anywhere.
Push button for immediate Windows Live video chat on Windows Live Essential.Cons: Very difficult to get out of the box.
Bloated software for special effects most won't use.
If it installs right out of the box, install guide is barely adequate. If problems occur, throw out the guide.
I kept getting warning notices during install aboutSummary: Except for the one problem I encountered, I would rate this 5 stars. All the other good things mentioned are true. I have no shoddy motion problems. Can adjust your ...
Summary: Except for the one problem I encountered, I would rate this 5 stars. All the other good things mentioned are true. I have no shoddy motion problems. Can adjust your own on-screen picture monitor to three sizes by adjusting resolution. Much better picture quality than with a friend's Toshiba laptop built in cam. Bought mine on Amazon for $25; the best price I found after extensive online and local store searching.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Webcam I Have Ever Bought!
by Awesomeguy123 on January 16, 2011
Pros: Cheap (under $50), nice and easy to use software, great picture quality, stunning audio quality, pretty good video quality, pretty good resolution, stand is the best, most versatile and easy to use stand, very small, perfect for making Brickfilms.
Cons: I can't think of anything besides the fact that it isn't Plug and Play (you have to install the drivers from the CD), and the software isn't as good as the one that came with my old Logitech QuickCam 3000 (which I accidentaly dropped while carrying).
Summary: This is a replacement for my Logitech QuickCam 3000, which I dropped while carrying it to my table where I was going to make another Brickfilm (Brickfilms are like stop ...
Summary: This is a replacement for my Logitech QuickCam 3000, which I dropped while carrying it to my table where I was going to make another Brickfilm (Brickfilms are like stop motion videos, only made with Legos, not clay or another inanimate object). I am kinda disappointed that it isn't a Plug and Play webcam (where you don't have to download drivers from a CD), considering they created Plug and Play. Also, the software isn't as good as the Logitech software, but who cares at this price.
I just love the stand. I can customize it to whatever I want, which is especially good because I have some Lego buildings that before I got this, I would have to take the pictures from above, or break off part of the wall. This one has a great stand that allows me to go inside almost every building in my Lego City and take pictures. Also, the stand has fit on every computer I've tried it on so far. I don't like how easy it is to accidentally pres the Windows Live Call button at the top, but then again, it is just a minor annoyance. I love the goofy effects on it, and I have taken tons of pictures already. I was never really a big fan of video chatting before because of the lack of compatibility, but this is great with Skype, and it's already changed my outlook on the video chatting. The audio quality threw me back, because I didn't need to do any adjustments, and yet there wasn't any noise from my laptop, although, it runs through USB, not an unprotected 3.5MM microphone jack, so that makes sense. The video quality made me consider replacing the old Flip Video Camcorder (I believe it was 1st Gen), it's so good. The picture quality, out of this world, and I'm gonna replace my really old Canon digital camera because of this. This is the best budget webcam I have ever had, and I recommend this to anyone who wants to record audio, video, pictures, or video chat, animate, or anything else. The software is kinda dull, but at this price point, who cares?1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great product for price
by emathew5150 on September 23, 2011
Pros: Small, efficient, and light
Cons: Microsoft Live button, No Skype button
Summary: Awesome product but the Windows Live Messenger button is useless. Rather have a Skype button.
Summary: Awesome product but the Windows Live Messenger button is useless. Rather have a Skype button.
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Great webcam!
by CameraKid04 on June 29, 2011
Pros: Good video quality
Good software effects
Good microphone quality
Compatible with Windows 7
CheapCons: Not HD
My webcam gets hot for some reason when plugged into to my computer after a few mins.
When I use the effects on the webcam software, the video slows down.Summary: Overall, I really like this little webcam. The webcam usb cord is long. The quality is not HD but it is HQ. It has great microphone quality. For some reason, ...
Summary: Overall, I really like this little webcam. The webcam usb cord is long. The quality is not HD but it is HQ. It has great microphone quality. For some reason, my webcam feels hot on the back of it when I plug it in to my computer after a few mins. The webcam software is compatible with Windows 7.
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basic camera, works just fine, especially in low light
by conradtheuser on December 26, 2010
Pros: Low light capability
Mounts easily on monitor
Worked right out of the boxCons: As some other reviews mentioned, it is difficult to get out of the box.
Summary: Because other reviews bashed the included software, I did not install it. I just plugged the camera in and it worked fine on my Vista 64 machine. Buy it if ...
Summary: Because other reviews bashed the included software, I did not install it. I just plugged the camera in and it worked fine on my Vista 64 machine. Buy it if it's on sale.
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Pretty good. Good for Windows, and it's decent.
by Cacacas on December 18, 2010
Pros: Absolutely clear video quality. Lights up with warm colors even in dark rooms.
Cons: Shoddy motion, and low frame rate.
Summary: Better quality than other cameras I've tried.
Summary: Better quality than other cameras I've tried.
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The Microsoft LiveCam nightmare
by gadgetman788 on July 16, 2010
Pros: None - okay I have to enter at least ten characters, so here it goes: junk, trash, garbage, waste of time, waste of money, doesn't work, crashes, crashes the computer.
Cons: Installed, tried to run. Immediately crashed. Nothing but crashed. " .. has encountered a problem and needs to close ..." Never got past that. Windows XP.
Summary: Absolutely worthless. I am taking back tomorrow to Office Depot and I am getting my money back.
Summary: Absolutely worthless. I am taking back tomorrow to Office Depot and I am getting my money back.
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This product sucked right out of the box!
by rep151 on September 23, 2009
Pros: Nothing to like about this product!!
Cons: First the product was difficult to remove orm the box. Second, the software still had not finished after 20 minutes. Abosolutely ridiculous! I shoved everything back in the ripped up box and brought it back. My advice buy Logitech! Microsoft sucks!
Summary: This product is horrible, could not even install the software!! Buy Logitech!!
Summary: This product is horrible, could not even install the software!! Buy Logitech!!
1 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Microsoft
- Part number: RKA-00014
- Description: The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 features Windows Live compatibility, world class VGA optics, superior low-light performance and a fun flexible design. Share more experiences with family and friends.
General
- Device Type Web camera
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Width 1.8 in
- Depth 1.8 in
- Height 4 in
- Localization English / United States
- Video input type Webcam
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Optical sensor type CMOS
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
- Features Adaptive lighting,
Automatic face tracking technology ,
Skype compatible Camera
- Type Color
- Max Digital Video Resolution 640 x 480
- Audio Support Yes : Built-in microphone
Image Sensor
- Type CMOS
Lens Construction
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
Interfaces
- Computer Interface Hi-Speed USB
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
- Compatible Slots None
- Connections 1 x USB
- Cables included 1 x USB cable - 6 ft
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable - Integrated - 6 ft
- Microsoft Certifications Compatible with Windows 7
- Compliant Standards GOST,
ICES-003,
ISO 9001,
VCCI,
CB,
WEEE,
FCC,
Medical Grade,
cUL,
UL,
TUV,
EMC,
CE Power
- Power Device None
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Microsoft Windows XP SP2,
Microsoft Windows Vista - Min Processor Type 1.8 GHz,
2.8 GHz - Peripheral / Interface Devices Internet connection,
CD-ROM - System Requirements Details Windows XP SP2 - Pentium 4 - RAM 256 MB - HD 400 MB,
Windows Vista - Pentium 4 - RAM 1 GB - HD 150 MB Environmental Parameters
- Operating Temperature 32 °F ... 104 °F
- Relative Humidity (operating) 5 - 80%
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
Physical Characteristics
- Color Fire red
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 1.8 in x 1.8 in x 4 in
- Weight 3.4 oz
Product series
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Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (Red)
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Specs: Web camera,
1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A,
Drivers & Utilities,
1 x USB cable - 6 ft,
Fire red -
Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (Blue)
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Specs: Web camera,
1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A,
Drivers & Utilities,
1 x USB cable - 6 ft,
Cool blue -
Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 (Green)
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Specs: Web camera,
1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A,
Drivers & Utilities,
1 x USB cable - 6 ft,
Cool blue
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Microsoft products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Microsoft
- Address:
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 - Phone: 1-425-882-8080
- Fax: 1-425-706-7329
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