Creative's WebCam Live! Ultra for Notebooks has a price tag that's high enough to move it out of the fun gadget category and into more serious territory. If you have a true need (rather than a simple desire) for a webcam, the Ultra's features and thoughtful design will more than justify its price.

The camera is compact and lightweight, and the base clip fits securely over a notebook's display. The Ultra can capture video at a resolution of up to 640X480, at up to 30 frames per second, and it can take still images at a software-enhanced 1.3 megapixels.

The lens is mounted on a rotating barrel, so you can easily point it up or down as necessary. The Smart Face Tracking feature allows you to relax and move comfortably, rather than worry about keeping your face in view. The lens has a 4X magnification zoom feature and a manual focus ring. The camera also has a wide-angle view (76 degrees), so a friend, family member or pet can join you in front of the camera. Video and still images are above average, even in low-light situations. The package doesn't include a lens cap, but a green LED lets you know when the camera is on, so you won't have to worry about transmitting images unexpectedly.

The WebCam Live! Ultra for Notebooks is compatible with most popular instant messaging programs, including Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger. The package includes a USB 2.0 cable, a hands-free headset, a lined travel pouch and a quick-start guide.

The WebCam Live! for Notebooks also comes with five software programs, plus Yahoo! Messenger. Creative WebCam Center allows you to use the Ultra for remote monitoring, motion detection, and time-lapse video capture. ArcSoft VideoImpression is a basic video creation and editing program. ArcSoft PhotoImpression provides basic photo editing and photo organization tools. ArcSoft Collage Creator makes it easy to create a collage from favorite images, including photos and clip art.

Pro: Easy to set up and use. Compact design and secure clip. Works well even in low-light situations. Good software bundle.
Con: Expensive. Manual focus ring is small and a bit difficult to use. No lens cover.

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Warranty
1 year