... After scouring Amazon for something in my price range, I settled on the Creative NX for just under £20. Comments suggested it was basic, but perfectly adequate for my intended use.
I’ve never owned a webcam before and though I spend a lot of time on the computer (email/web-surfing/essay ... Read review
Advantages: Cheap, relatively simple, adequate pictures for basic use Disadvantages: Slightly confusing choice of operating interface, don't expect bells and whistles for this price
...range, I settled on the Creative NX for just under £20. Comments suggested it was basic, but perfectly adequate for my intended use.
I’ve never owned a webcam before and though I spend a lot of time on the computer (email/web-surfing/essay writing) I’d consider myself far from a techno geek. This review is probably best aimed at those, like myself, considering purchasing a first webcam and wondering if this bottom of the range budget ... ...to which, by the way, is it’s fine for me)
The first thing that struck me about the camera was how small it was. To be honest, I had dimensions, and should’ve worked it out, but for some reason I expected larger. It looks like the Ciao picture, and even with the stand (about half of it) is only about 5” tall, 2” wide and 4” deep. It looked a bit plastic and flimsy, which wasn’t reassuring at first.
It seems a lot of people these days have digital cameras, or at least webcams. Never one to settle for lagging too far behind the crowd, and with a desire to send pics to absent friends and upload to Ciao, I decided to invest in a webcam to go with my new computer. After scouring Amazon for something in my price range, I settled on the Creative NX for just under £20. Comments suggested it was basic, but perfectly adequate for my intended use.
I’ve never owned a webcam before and though I spend a lot of time on the computer (email/web-surfing/essay writing) I’d consider myself far from a techno geek. This review is probably best aimed at those, like myself, considering purchasing a first webcam and wondering if this bottom of the range budget model is enough or a false economy (the short answer to which, by the way, is it’s fine for me)
The first thing that struck me about the camera was how small it was. To be honest, I had dimensions, and should’ve worked it out, but for some reason I expected larger. It looks like the Ciao picture, and even with the stand (about half of it) is only about 5” tall, 2” wide and 4” deep. It looked a bit plastic and flimsy, which wasn’t reassuring at first.
The stand, in particular, looked breakable. The rear leg is hinged, and the manual seems to suggest it could clip on to a monitor. This might work on a flat-screen, but I’m not convinced anything would really hold it. Spread out the tripod forms a stable base on top of my monitor, or on any flat surface. The legs each have rubber feet, so presumably no danger of damaging your monitor. The camera itself can pivot up and down and rotate like a turret.
Installation seemed easy enough. Software from the accompanying CD has to be installed BEFORE the camera itself, and this varies by Operating System, but didn’t present me a problem at all as I was prompted through all the stages. The manual only has four pages devoted to English, and that includes pointing out all the parts and installation. The only thing that did bug me is I first plugged the camera in to one of the USB ports on the front of my PC tower to check it worked, before climbing through the mass of wires behind/under my desk to plug it in another more out of the way port. Now it seems my computer recognises this as ‘Creative Webcam NX #2’, rather than realising it’s the same one in a different place. Not a problem, however.
Once set up, you can start having fun. There’s a shortcut placed on the desktop during installation, which allows you to open the camera quickly. This brings up the webcam monitor, where you can see what’s currently in view - what’s being filmed at the moment, or would be filmed if it was on. The camera options (top right) allow you to adjust picture size and the like to vary quality with file size. To be honest though, this was something of a false start for me. It seems you’re only able to capture video this way, which isn’t really my intended use. I tried it, and it seemed ok, but my email wouldn’t let me send an attachment larger than about half a second anyway!
Slightly confusingly, there’s a second (‘lite’) way to activate the camera. Press the big ridge-shaped button on top and a different display comes up (both are accessible via the Start menu > Creative). Again there are plenty of options I don’t really need, but this allows you to adjust picture settings using drop downs on the left, and has buttons on the bottom for still shot or film. I find this interface much easier and I haven’t really seen the point in the two different mechanisms, I’m sure it would only confuse the less computer literate (like my mum!)
It’s a bit weird getting used to being on camera at first. It’s funny adjusting yourself (or moving the camera) to get nicely in shot, remembering everything’s reversed, so you have to go right instead of left and turn to face it again. You also have to remember to look at the camera and not the preview or screen, or you have a rather strange stare in your picture! It’s also slightly disconcerting leaving it on and having the feeling you’re being watched. There’s a green LED just below the lens, but that’s on whenever the webcam is plugged in and computer running, not just when filming.
Any pictures and videos are automatically saved to default folders in my album. You can change the destination, or choose not to have them saved automatically. They’re given imaginative titles like Image001, but you can rename them as you would any other file. I found it a bit of a hassle going through C > Media > Photo > My Album to get to the pictures, so added a direct shortcut to my desktop. Alt + A or the ‘my album’ link in the bottom left will also take you straight to this in the camera display though, which is quite handy as it allows you to rename photos as you take them.
No doubt what you’re really interested in is picture quality. Well, I use the default picture size of 640 x 480 and settings that generally favour higher quality and larger size, but I have to say the pictures seem fine to me. I don’t do anything fancy, like printing them off or enlarging them, I just want them to use of Ciao reviews or email pictures of myself to friends and they’re perfectly adequate for those purposes. The only complaints I had were that they tended to be rather dark. This may depend on brightness settings or my desk’s positioning, but it’s easily rectified with a desk lamp.
I’ve heard some cheap cameras don’t actually take their photos in 640 x 480 (or whatever) but a smaller size and use software to scale it up. I wouldn’t know how to verify this for this camera. There’s no zoom, but turning the blue rim around the lens adjusts focus. I found that out almost by accident, then had to spend a while trying to get it back to where it was - it doesn’t seem to get any better.
So in summary, this is a basic but perfectly functional webcam. It doesn’t have a built in microphone - if you want sound (say, for video conferencing) then you need to look for a higher model. The Webcam NX Pro is another £5-10 and as far as I’m aware basically the same plus a microphone, but don’t quote me on those details because I don’t have one. Alternatively you can use this camera with a separate mic, as I do. It’s not got any particularly flashy features, but for normal everyday use - like photos for Ciao or eBay auctions - it seems fine and it’s price and simplicity make it a good starter camera. So in conclusion, if you’re thinking of a getting a webcam then don’t be put off by the cheap price, this isn’t a bad start.Features
Video and still
Resolutions up to 640x480
Can be used as ‘spycam’ (though I haven’t tried this)
Stable, if flimsy looking, plastic base
Quick, easy installation via USB port
Simple to use (though can be a bit confusing)
No audio
You can view the manual as a PDF from Amazon, and purchase at current retail price £18.59.I have some photos taken with the camera to illustrate. Remember they’re without chaging focus, so better pictures may be possible with some tweaking. Don't take my selections below as gospel, because I'm not too familiar with other webcams.
Advantages: Cheap, easy to use, decent image quality Disadvantages: Image quality can be poor in low quality light
...I ended up choosing the Creative WebCam NX as it was reasonably cheap at £23 (and I believe it's now under £20 at amazon.co.uk) and that was a price I thought was completely reasonable.
Installation was simplicity itself and all was explained clearly in the multi-language Quick Start manual. The actual user's manual is included in PDF format on the installation CD and is well written with plenty of diagrams and information.
The NX comes with a ... ...Center Lite which, like most Creative software, is pretty ugly, but does its job exceedingly well and it's also easy to use and covers both video and still pictures.
Image quality will depend on a lot of factors. Resolution is a main factor and I've found that video and pictures tend to be fuzzy and a bit blurry at the highest resolution (640 x 480), although given what its primary use is, I don't have a problem with that. Images at lower resolutions ...
TheDuke 22.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Creative WebCam NX
Advantages: Cheap,easy to use,decent image quality. Disadvantages: image quality can be poor in bad light.
...world).I ended up choosing the creative webcam nx as it was reasonably cheap at £20.
Installation was simplicity itself and all was explained clearly in the multi language quick start manual.The actual users manual is incuded in pdf format on the installation cd and is well written with plenty of diagrams and information.
The nx comes with a fairly long lead(about 5 foot)meaning that it doesn,t even have to be sitting on top of your pc or if your ... ...cam center lite which,like most creative software,is pretty ugly.But does its job exceedingly well and its also easy to use and covers both video and still pictures.
Image quality will depend on alot of factors.Resolution is the main factor and i,ve found that video and pictures tend to be fuzzy and abit blurry at the highest resolution(640x480)I dont have a problem with that.Images at lower resolutions(are sharper,although smaller).
Lighting is ...
daviemac 13.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Creative WebCam NX
Advantages: Crisp Pictures Disadvantages: Feels a bit too plasticy
Having bought this to replacing an ageing and substard cam im quite impressed. The picture quality on this little camera is superb.
It has a decent sized resolution at 640*480 and takes quality pictures at a good size and not a piddly little picture that nobody can see. Not that many people will want to see my ugly face on their but nevermind eh.
The camera itself can auto-adjust to try and get the best picture possible, granted it's not always ... ...a piece of hardware which costs around £20/£25.
The camera itself is easy to install itself, it's just Plug and play but the software is a different matter. What they don't tell you on the installation is you have to install the software from the disk (you have to actually view the files on the disk) there is no option from the main menu to install it.
The software that comes with it very easy to use although compression rates arent that good and ...
Gaspanic 12.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Creative WebCam NX
Advantages: Cheap, Versatile and perfect for minimal use, such as msn messenger and similar Disadvantages: None
After being dissapointed with my previous web camera, i decided it was time to choose another. Since having to make a worthwile decision on choosing a web camera for use over the internet, i can not be ashamed at all. As soon as using the web cam, the resolution stunned me, in the manner that it was excellent. The clarity of the picture was magnificant! So far, i have only used the cam for the internet, and i endeavo to use all of the other functions ... ...clear, detailed booklet to guide you all the way through. A contents page is provided to enable a more efficient guide through the installation process and the booklet.
This web cam can be purchased for £13.93 from PC world, and many other places at a similar price. You get what you buy!
In short, if you are quering whether or not to purchase this cam, go ahead and do so, you shall definately not be ashamed. ...
cptnmush 07.08.2005 (08.08.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Creative WebCam NX
well this product is very good for its price and is definatly value for money, it provides a very good quality picture and works with alot of instant chat programs like msn messenger and yahoo messenger.
i was happy with the price i paid, wasnt sure at the time - i'd seen some pretty cheap and cheap looking cameras but decided i would try this one, i bought it in dixons electronics store for £20 but i still wasnt sure what the overall cam quality ... ...to install, its a quick setup and you can have it working in less than 10 minuites.
the thing that threw me off this product a bit was the packaging, i think it needs a bit more information about the camera and a few more pictures on the box.
the shape of the camera is pretty good, one leg is adjustable and the camera head spins around so you should be able to find a really good position for it, it also has a focus finder on the front of the camera. ...
greatscot 23.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Creative WebCam NX
Picture quality
Video capture rate
Colour sensitivity
Ease of Installation
Value For Money
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Advantages: Excellent picture, Nice price, Good software, Looks smart Disadvantages: Have to re-install software when you unplug (WinXP Home Edition only?)
I decided that I would get a webcam so that my mates could see me on MSN when they talk to me, as I can see most of them as they all seem to have webcams. They are quite commonly bundled in with brand new PC's such as ones brought from PC World etc, so I thought I better get myself one to go with my computer.
I was browsing the web one time with the thought in my head, and checked the Dabs pages and such and then looked on Amazon and found it in the market place for sale, complete with a microphone at about £15. I felt this was a very good price, as it was in its original packaging and such still, and seeming as it was on sale about £30 elsewhere I better buy it before someone beats me to it.
I quickly checked the specifications on the Creative website, mainly checking the resolution which it offered. Lots of the cameras digital ...
Advantages: Great Quality and Cheap Disadvantages: Stand is flimsy
a bit jerky, it probably would have been better if Creative made the driver compress the data, with a loss in quality for a still smooth feed.
Overall camera is excellent and takes excellent pictures, an annoying problem I had with it is the flimsy stand although blue-tack usually sorts that out.
The camera connects to your PC via USB and at the moment I'm using it under WindowsXP. From reading the website apparently there is a TWAIN, Video for Windows driver, WDM MiniDriver for DirectShow and Still Image driver (STI) that runs in Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows Me and Windows XP. So it should work on ANY currently used windows operating system (sorry windows95 users you're out of luck, and in need of an upgrade :) )
All in all a great camera for the money! You can pick this baby up for between £25 and £30 pounds ...
Add the power of video to emails and Internet messaging with the Creative WebCam NX. Designed to make any work area look brighter, it has fashionable colors and clean lines and can be clipped to desktop flat panel LCDs and notebook displays, or mounted on standard PC monitors. The WebCam NX captures video and stills at resolutions up to 640x480, enabling users to add images to on-line communications and explore the world of videoconferencing on the Internet. Connecting via USB, it's easy to install and comes with all the feature-packed software needed for a fast start.
