Creative Live! Cam Optia AF (VF0280)

List Price: $116.21 Discount Price: $76.32

Features:

• Smooth, full motion 30fps digital video streams and top quality images with High Speed USB 2.0 throughput
• Fits easily to almost anything - notebook displays, CRT monitors and flat panel displays
• Spice up your chats with fun audio and video effects including Live! Cam FX Creative and Live! Cam Doodling
• Edit and organize your photos easily & create fun photo calendars with Creative Live! Cam Suite
• Certified for Windows Vista

Accessories:

GOOSENECK WEBCAM

Customer Reviews:

Not sure yet. [Posted on 2008-04-27]
So far I haven't been able to get this thing to work. The CD is not helping and it doesn't attach securely to my computer. I am giving it a 3 star review because most of the difficulties probably have to do with me being techno-challenged, but I'm not very hopeful at this point. If you're a computer geek you most likely won't have my problems.

Excellent product [Posted on 2008-05-03]
The Creative Live! Cam Opia AF camera is easy to install and delivers a sharp, clear picture. We are very happy with our choice and recommend it without reservation.

Creative Live! Cam Optia AF (VF0280)  [Posted on 2008-06-04]
This camera only works with bundled applications and a few others like AOL IM, etc... and barely at that. Even when using Creative's bundled software, switching between modes (video mode, picture mode, etc), the software locks up and forces you to restart.

IF you use another IM client, like Trillian, forget about it. And using it as an imaging device for other software like Photoshop, Paint.net, etc - double forget it.

The camera turns off whenever you are not using one of the bundled apps. Other applications can see the camera is installed, but since it automatically turns itself off (with no manual way to turn it back on), you can forget about using it to grab snapshots for editing.

Customer support? Horrible. They ask you to do the same things any novice would even know to do - download the latest drivers, re-install, etc etc... none of which work.

I returned mine after 3 days, got the Logitech 9000 instead and am VERY happy I did so. These 2 cameras are approximately the same price - but look at the actual customers ratings... Logitech mainly has nothing but praise, while you can see the comments on this one. Check Newegg's reviews; this one barely gets 2 stars there and you know most of Newegg's customers are the tech-y type.

To sum it up - this sucks (like all other Creative cams), has driver issues (like all other Creative cams), and horrible customer support (like everything else Creative - just check their company support forums - you'll see it's filled with unanswered complaints & questions).

[...] Trust me, You'll thank me later.

Works great with a Mac [Posted on 2008-06-24]
I bought this to work with a Mac Mini and it does so at an affordable price.

I plugged it in and pictures did indeed come out! [Posted on 2008-08-27]
it doesn't work so well in conjunction with a mac pro. I bought this webcam back in march 08, and so far have been totally disappointed with its performance. the picture is grainy at best and all broken up at worst. sound appears to echo when used, I've often had to cut short video calls due to problems with the sound.
I've since replaced this with the logitech 9000 pro, which at $20 less i consider a complete bargain. so far the 9000 pro provides a much crisper image ( i have yet to try the sound out).

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