Customer rveeiw from the Amazon Vineâ„¢ Program () QUICK UPDATE Before you read the rveeiw: The listing states that a Creative headset is built-in it is NOT!!!! Here was no headset in my box. Come on AMAZON/CREATIVE at-least get the listing right. I would downgrade to 4/5 for that mis-in rank. Hello All, Initially of all yes I have received this camera for free under the Vine program at Amazon. But, my rveeiw is unbiased and honest. I am comparing this to a Logitech Webcam that I already have. So it starts. I received the camera this morning and at once ruined it out of the box so I could start using it. THE BOX INCLUDES: The Camera, simple one page documentation and a CD with software. FEATURES: The Creative Optia AF has an autofocus lens, A 2mp (1600 1200)sensor which can take photo's at 8.0 megapixels and video at 2.0 megapixels, A blast canceling microphone. ****(NOTE: Photo's are taken at 2.0mp and upconverted using the software built-in with the camera. The pictures are captured at 2.0mp.) This unit was plugged into a USB port on a dell monitor connected to a MAC pro running OS X version 10.5.6. Also, I am comparing this camera to the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro (). Here are sample images attached of one camera taking a picture of the other camera in the same lighting conditions. Initially things initially, I plugged the creative camera into my monitor and it was at once recognized by MAC OS X. I used photobooth to take pictures from both cameras. What I found fascinating at this point was that when the creative was plugged in, it took preference and was the default camera even though the logitech was still plugged in. Very fascinating. The pictures: I can tell you that, without a doubt, the creative has better autofocus control and the lighting looks better. The logitech looks yellowish'. My untrained eye suggests that the pictures from the creative web cam are far superior. Mind you, both of these units have small lenses and so no masterpiece will come out of them but as far as web cams go the Creative seems to have more of a natural look and not an overexposed yellowish look. The video: While I dont reflect that a web-cam should be used to capture high end video, this unit can be used to capture video at 640 480 and then up-converted to 1600 1200 using the built-in software. The upconversion is a useless feature for me since I believe that web-cam video at 640 480 is PERFECT for the time life. We are not doing HD broadcasts with web-cams are we? If we need privileged video broadcast feature then we should be using real cameras that can send out hq video. Skype Test: I am sure all of you know what Skype is so I wont get into any details. I made a test call with Skype to my office and made sure that the person on the other end was paying attention to the image detail. Initially it was the creative and then the logitech. Here are the observations from the other end: The initially video was much clearer and I could see that you have not shiny on top today, The second video looked like you were sitting in the SUN and hid the scruff on your face. The initially was visibly better! Enough said if you question me. Now granted this was only one test call..but sometimes that is enough to tell you what you need to know. This was tested over a Cable Modem connection (Comcast) that has about 15mbps down and 2mbps up. A variety of other programs were running while skyping (is that a word?). Background music was playing at a nominal volume so as to check if blast canceling and adaptive microphones worked properly, it did! The other party did hear the music when I was not speaking but said the music drowned out at once when my voice was life transmitted. Corporal Aspects: The creative unit comes on a clear acrylic base which you can simply sit on your desk. It also does but have a curved design at the bottom which allows you to place it on top of a monitor. (The logitech also has these features, but the creative looks sharper!). The camera can be rotated about 270 degrees. It has two microphones to the left of the lens so that it can visibly pick up your voice and cancel out the blast (this was also tested in the skype chat with background music playing). Software: I personally do not feel the need to install extra software on my system but I must inform you that is available and adds a few features to the camera. Here are a few of the key points: 1. Parental Control so you can lock the camera from life used. 2. Avatars You are able to use avatars and add video and voice things to your video chats. This feature

$60