The WebCam Live! Motion is a bit on the pricey side for casual use, but it includes enough software programs to make the camera almost seem like a freebie. The WebCam Live! Motion can also serve multiple purposes, which makes the price even more appealing.

The webcam has a versatile base that can fit on or over almost any surface, including CRT and LCD displays, as well as laptops and notebooks. The face-tracking feature means you can move naturally without worrying about falling out of the frame. The two face-tracking options are called Continuous and Smart. If you choose Continuous, the WebCam Live! Motion will track your every move, which can be a little disconcerting. If you choose Smart, the camera uses color-detection technology to track and zoom in on your face.

You can skip the face-tracking feature altogether, and instead use the 4X zoom, 200-degree pan (horizontal), and 105-degree tilt (vertical) features. You risk occasionally being out of camera range, but overall, it's less distracting. The 76-degree wide-angle lens gives you some freedom of movement, and it also lets you squeeze friends, family members, or pets into the frame.

The WebCam Live! Motion can capture live video at a resolution of 640X480, at up to 30 frames per second, and store it in AVI format. It can also capture still images at 1.3 megapixels (software enhanced), which is pretty impressive for a webcam, but the quality still can't match that of a dedicated digital camera.

The package includes a generous software bundle. Creative WebCam Center lets you use the WebCam Live! Motion for remote monitoring or motion-detection tasks, as well as time-lapse video captures. Creative Photo Manager provides basic image editing and organizational tools. SightSpeed turns the unit into a videophone. If you have a web-enabled mobile phone or PDA, OrbSecure can help you keep an eye on your home while you are at work. ArcSoft VideoImpression is a basic video creation and editing program that can also produce slideshows. In addition, the WebCam Live! Motion is compatible with most popular instant messaging applications.

Pro: Capable of performing multiple functions (webcam, videophone, remote monitor, motion detection). Impressive software bundle.
Con: No built-in microphone. Somewhat overpriced for the performance it delivers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Creative Labs, Inc.
1901 McCarthy Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035
408-428-6600
http://us.creative.com

Warranty
1 year, limited