Product ReviewsMicrosoft LifeCam VX-3000 Web Cam

Experiencing the LifeCam VX3000 Web Cam

I had no experience with webcams but decided to purchase one in order to see my son who resides out of state. The LifeCam VX-3000 is easy to mount on the monitor of my desktop Dell and is user friendly. The basic picture using default factory settings is quite good and my son felt the same on his end (same webcam)when he viewed me. The sound clarity using just the built in microphone of the VX-3000 is extremely clear. My only complaint is that when you blow up the image on the screen to full screen, the image loses its clarity.Perhaps it is my lack of experience that causes this. All in all it is a great addition to my computer.Read full review...

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Web Cam

My high-end Logitech Fusion web-cam never worked properly on a consistent basis with my system. Logitech support wasn't able to help so I finally gave up and decided to try the Life-Cam VX-3000.
r>The Life-Cam VX-3000 is my 5Th web-cam since the late 90's. So far, it's the best I've ever used. My main purpose for the web-cam was to communicate with my family in another state, in both video and audio. I have to say, mission accomplished.

The size of the VX-3000 is more diminutive in size than I expected. I included a photo so people get an idea. It looks a lot bigger in the photos than it really is. It also fits a lot snugger on my Dell 19 inch LCD monitor than did the Logitech. Because of the base design, I can put it flat on the desk or hook it on top of the monitor.

The main review I read from PC Magazine states that the mic did a poor job so I was a concerned as the audio is almost as important to me as the video. The fear was unfounded as I tested it with my family for over an hour and they could hear me just fine with only a slight echo when I placed it too close to my speakers.

The video resolution is 640x480, more than enough for my needs. The VX-6000 has higher resolution, but is also more than twice as expensive. I was very satisfied with the video and the low light support was excellent and worked better than the Logitech Fusion.

The Live Call button on top of the camera is actually a nuisance when trying to adjust the angle of the camera. I don't see myself ever using it and only works with Windows Live Messenger anyways. The cam itself swivels vertically and horizontally. The vertical swivel is actually quite stiff so you need to hold the cam with both hands to adjust. I guess it's a good thing so that the cam doesn't get out of position easily. The cord is also a decent length so if you want to pick the camera up and move it around, it gives you some freedom to do so.

The only thing lacking that I would have wanted is a sliding lens cover, both to protect the lens and for privacy. I went back and forth on wanting the VX-3000 and the VX-6000. The comparison table shows that the VX-6000's only benefits are 3x digital zoom, high-speed USB and a wide angle lens. I know that the video resolution is also higher. For me, I didn't need the digital zoom. Also, I didn't know that there was a difference in USB. I thought all USB 2.0 was "high-speed." The instructions on the web-cam recommend connecting to USB 2.0 so what exactly is "high-speed?" The wide angle lens would've been great, but not worth the extra cost. Certainly, the two most compelling reasons to get the VX-6000 is the wide angle lens and the higher video resolution. Based on my needs, the better value was the VX-3000.

The version of the drivers that came on CD-ROM with the cam was 1.1 but I downloaded 1.3 from Microsoft's website. I have to say that after some weeks of using Windows Live Messenger, it has a habit of getting disconnected quite often. My family has observed this as well. Until Microsoft remedies this, I may have to switch over to Google Talk with a video plug-in but the webcam itself, is exactly what I wanted.Read full review...

Bad for new, good for old

If you're using this with anything modern, turn back now. The software that you need to get this thing working works great on old Windows XP machines, however you're going to be fiddling with it for a while to try getting it working on anything newer. The image quality is bad, but what can you expect from something from this time period.

In conclusion, it's good for older hardware, but honestly you're better off just spending another 5 or 10 bucks to buy something that works better with modern hardware.Read full review...

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Web Cam

This web cam is only 1.3 megapixels and you get what you pay for. I have been told by others that picture quality is good and others say its fuzzy in using it with Skype. If I had it to do over again, would have spent a little more money and bought a better web cam. This does come with a few nice features where you can use overlays to you face image, such as hats, glasses, masks, stars etc. which make it fun to use especially with the grand kids.Read full review...

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Web Cam

I was looking for a web cam because two of my kids had them and I thought it would be nice to have so I could chat with them. I then found another one for my daughter so she could share in the fun. I found another one that had been listed as 'new in opened box'. I gave this one to a retired couple in our neighborhood. They have kids and grandkids in another state and I thought it would be a great way they could stay in touch with them. This web cam is easy to use and has nice quality sound/picture. For the money I feel like I made a great purchase. I recommend this item.Read full review...

Great Camera, wish it worked on Linux

I have bought 6 of these cameras to date, same model, and gifted them to friends / family with whom I wanted to video chat. I guess that makes me happy with them. I gave it 4/5 because it does everything I'd expect from a webcam except offer Linux support. Of course it's not a surprise to me being a Microsof+ product but it still knocks the camera down a notch for me...

Otherwise an awesome camera, good picture, no problems with it. I've owned the first one I bought for about 5 years now...Read full review...

Great Web Cam

I purchased it because of the price and the reviews I have seen elsewhere about it. I figured that I would purchase a fairly decent web cam to begin with and later on, upgrade to something else. I like the way it mounts on an LCD monitor and you can enable or disable it. The built in Mic works very well and picture is decent. The camera is not auto-focusing and the manual did not show you how to focus it.The included manual is very limited as it is for the initial installation of the camera only.It is optimized for MS Live, but I am using it through G-mail and it works great. If you are considering an entry level Web Cam, this will work.Read full review...

Cheap and old and was perfect for a project. Not supported by Windows 10™

This product is quite old and not supported by Windows 10, so it was difficult to install drivers and find the cam, but we did it. The camera was used for tracking IR LED project and was perfect for designed resolution and project cost.

We are very pleased with the result.

But for original use I would recommend get newer webcams that are compatible with windows 10.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: prices4theworking

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Web Cam - Review

This product is a good entry level unit, has average resolution 1.3MP. The set-up was easy and quick, the shutdown using Windows Xp Pro SP3 has a problem with the service for vVx-3000.exe. For some reason you have to shut this service down manually. My other viewers have made reference that the image is good and smooth.Read full review...

Very nice and fairly easy use.

This is a great webcam for family to have. It works wonderful with MSN Live Messenger.... I mean it works 10/10 with that program. When used with Yahoo Messenger the overall quality goes down to 7/10, and worked a little better under super webcam mode in Yahoo Messener. Im not blaming the webcam, Im sure its yahoo (I never had a cam work 10/10 with yahoo)The reason I didnt give it an excellent rating is that its only a 1.3MP cam. This is something you would buy for a newbie or mom and dad. Plus they have drivers online so you can use it with Vista now :D Good luck allRead full review...