...
{the webcam}
The webcam is silver with a black focusing ring, the Labtec logo to the right hand side, and adjustable black base where you can slide the cam forward or back in the slot in order to achieve the required position.
{the manual}
Rather nifty little manual tells you ... Read review
Advantages: cheap, easy to install & set-up Disadvantages: focus quality
...a black focusing ring, the Labtec logo to the right hand side, and adjustable black base where you can slide the cam forward or back in the slot in order to achieve the required position.
{the manual}
Rather nifty little manual tells you in 16 languages all you need to know about installing, setting up, getting started with your webcam and the warranty. Despite the impressive list of languages each one only spans ... ...too in-depth and are in fact straight to the point and idiot proof.
{installation}
You have to install the software first via the supplied CD, following all on-screen instructions until prompted to connect the camera via the USB port and re-start your PC in order for installation to complete.
It comes with it’s own software package and online help for simple step by step instructions and problem ... more
Staying in touch these days needn’t be hard work and so if you have friends and family in other countries or simply down the road an easy and cheap way to chat and see each other is via a webcam.
There’s a lot of software available free via download on the internet to maximise your webcam experience such as Skype, MSN, Yahoo and those are just a taster, to find more, simply use a search engine and I’m sure you will be inundated with choice. Of course webcams are not only limited to one to one chatting, you can hold multiple user meetings (net meeting) for more than 2 people in different locations and for those wanting to meet new friends or even find a date (recommended 18+) there are local/worldwide webcam dating sites.
With the internet as a whole, caution should always be practised and children supervised as it is a dangerous place and somewhere where people can prey on youngsters and let their alter ego loose. So always be aware that what somebody might tell you about themselves is NOT always the truth, therefore do not divulge personal information such as your telephone number and address no matter how hard the other person you’re talking to might try and convince you. And on another note if you do intend to visit a web cam chat site, it’s advisable that you sign up under a nickname and not your real name… is always best to be safe, that way if you dislike the experience nobody need know anything about you at all and you can simply delete the software and leave well alone.
Moving swiftly on…
{price & availability}
This webcam can be purchased from Argos for the price of £11.99 or on special offer of 2 for £20. Just visit www.argos.co.uk and type in catalogue number 676/4704 in the search box located at the top and all the details you need to know will come up.
{the webcam}
The webcam is silver with a black focusing ring, the Labtec logo to the right hand side, and adjustable black base where you can slide the cam forward or back in the slot in order to achieve the required position.
{the manual}
Rather nifty little manual tells you in 16 languages all you need to know about installing, setting up, getting started with your webcam and the warranty. Despite the impressive list of languages each one only spans 3 pages with English being the first, therefore they’re not too in-depth and are in fact straight to the point and idiot proof.
{installation}
You have to install the software first via the supplied CD, following all on-screen instructions until prompted to connect the camera via the USB port and re-start your PC in order for installation to complete.
It comes with it’s own software package and online help for simple step by step instructions and problem solvers.
{set up}
The webcam is best placed on top of your monitor in the centre for optimal eye contact. To focus simply adjust the focusing ring in the centre by rotating it whilst viewing live video in the webcam settings to monitor your progress.
{warranty}
From the date of purchase you will be covered by 2 years warranty and the finer details of this cover the 3rd page of the English section (superb bed time reading NOT).
{my opinion}
This is one of the cheaper webcams available but serves its purpose. I personally find that it’s quite hard to focus as it doesn’t seem to adjust to a very sharp picture and seems to go from an ok picture to blurry in just the tiniest of turns. It’s also quite hard to adjust single handed as whilst you’re turning the focussing ring, your hand is obviously in the way of the lense, therefore also the on screen picture making it almost impossible to see whether progress has been made or you’re just wasting your time, because all you can see is the palm of your hand!
It is however extremely easy and very quick to install and the instructions really are idiot proof (just as well!) and once you’re semi-focussed and in position you’re ready to make your debut appearance on cam.
As with most webcam software programs you do have a little self-view window that shows the live picture of yourself, so that you can ensure you’re located in the centre of the picture and not cutting off the top of your head etc. making it difficult or highly amusing to your chat buddy on what he/she can actually see of you.
Aside to the live video streaming you can also take snapshots and save them as picture files, make short video clips (ideal for Granny in Aus at Xmas) and lots of other fun stuff should your kids want to get creative.
I would recommend this webcam for the beginner as it’s definitely not top of the range, is limited in what it can do but for £11.99 if you’re only going to use it on the odd occasion you can’t complain and it will perform how you want it to, but for the pro who isn’t camera shy, then opt for something a little more advanced that offer maximum features as it will be worth paying the extra for.
When I originally purchased my web cam I had the old-style monitor and so it sat quite happily up there and didn’t budge, but having upgraded my pc and moving on to TFT it’s pretty hard to position due to its wide base and one knock of the screen and it’s on the desk (not good whilst mid-chat!), therefore research the cam styles available that are best suited to your monitor before purchasing.
Advantages: Good software; quite nice looks; satisfactory support Disadvantages: Limited quality; top heavy; manual focus
...I had never heard of Labtec before, but trusted the name for the same reason I chose the shop.
Once I had handed over the cash, I walked proudly out of the camera store; pompously strutting along the pavement, extremely eager to get home and show all of my new found Internet buddies what I looked like.
== MINIMAL COMPUTER SPECIFICATION ==
As stated on the box:
-> PC with 233 Pentium®, Celeron® or AMD Athlon™ processor or better -> Windows® 98 ... ...is unsightly labelled with the Labtec logo. It’s not that the Labtec logo is unpleasant, but it is slapped in the bottom right hand corner of the camera and so destroys the overall look of it.
== LOOKS ==
Without the Labtec logo intruding on what could have been a fashionable design even by today’s standards, the camera looks quite funky. Even though there is what looks like a blue mountain top opening protruding out of the camera, it subtly blends ...
chizster 21.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Labtec WebCam Web camera
Advantages: Cheap, very easy to use Disadvantages: Tricky to position
...the cheapest and found the Labtec 0914 model, this cost me a mere £19.99 from Argos.
To use this your PC must have a Pentium Processor 3 or above, Windows 98 or above, USB Port, CD ROM drive, 64MB Ram and a sound card with microphone and speakers.
It comes packaged in a red and black box which is of similar size to many software products. In the box you get the cam, Installation and user programme software and a very user friendly manual. The manual ... ...well as giving tips on the best way to position and use the cam. It doesn’t go into great detail but it’s a very simple piece of equipment to use anyway. With it you get the manufactures 2 year warranty and details of full online support should you need it. The cam I have is silver grey with black lens and base, it is approx 6 cms tall and is extremely lightweight. The base is made of a rubbery type substance which helps it to somewhat stick to the ...
claireben 14.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Labtec WebCam Web camera
Advantages: Software easy to load, cheap, motion sensor feature Disadvantages: no sound, slow, have to reload software if it gets unplugged
...I'm on a 1mb connection yet still i get pauses, whats with that???
I am rather disappointed with Labtec this time round. All my other Labtec hardware works very well yet this seems to let the whole company down. I'll certainly be more wary of labtec purchases in future. ...
slogan 02.06.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Labtec WebCam Web camera
Advantages: look, works (lol) Disadvantages: size of instilliation download. (see review)
-*-*- What can a web cam do? -*-*-
Some of us use an internet program or website such as MSN messenger ® or Yahoo messenger ® these programs allows us to talk to other people such as our friends or family this is a really cool thing to do on the computer and over time the programs have got better and better and now there is even a web cam feature this allows you to not only talk with your friends but lets you see them as well (if they have a web ... ...web cam.)
-*-*- How much is a web cam? -*-*-
You can buy web cams from almost any good computer shop of course the prices vary you can probably get one of eBay for £5 but if you want a new one then the cheapest is probably around £10 you can also get them for £20 with built in microphone so you can speak with your friends the one I am reviewing unfortunately doesn't have a built in microphone this particular one I bought for £20 which now I look ...
ste231191 06.06.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Labtec WebCam Web camera
Advantages: Small and affordable,simple to install. Disadvantages: Bit tricky to position
The Labtec Webcam is small and very light wieght, however it does its job well, I have had a prob or two getting it to sit still in the right position,this can be resolved easily enough using some tack/putty to hold it in place, due to its shape it is a little top heavey...mabe a suction pad could have been in-built to the base of it?
For its price approx £19.00, it does all you could ask of it, it comes with a CD rom which contains the downloadable ... ...clips as well using it for the normal eyeball chats.It has also been useful for taking photos that can be downloaded as profile pictures on web sites, and snapping the kids near the monitor screen to send to grandma!
The focusing leaves just a little to be desired, and you do need the lighting to be right, I have found myself looking green once or twice.
Over-all it is a useful item to have and in this case you feel you have got a little more then ...
Caberet-Haze 10.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Labtec WebCam Web camera
Product Information for "Labtec WebCam Web camera" »
Lens construction
Focus Adjustment
Manual
Min Focus Range
15 cm
Interfaces
Computer Interface
USB
Image sensor
Effective Pixels
352 x 288
Type
CMOS
Manufacturer's product description
The Labtec WebCam is easy to setup and simple to operate. Send your friends and family video clips or still images. Now your loved ones are just a click away!
