... And so, direct from Seattle, Microsoft proudly presents its 'Vision' camera, which is meant to redifine the way we use Xbox Live.....
....that was the theory anyway. The little white camera is rather expensive for what it is and does. It costs £35 and for that you get the camera, some wires, ... Read review
Experience video chat, video messaging and more. Xbox Live Vision is a next-generation ... more
camera that brings interactive social gaming to life. The camera allows you to personalize your gaming experience with your own unique Gamertag picture, send phot...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: It feels like it wouldn't break-although that might be a disadvantage Disadvantages: Implementation into games is poor, expensive, looks like something you wear at Royal Ascot
...And so, direct from Seattle, Microsoft proudly presents its 'Vision' camera, which is meant to redifine the way we use Xbox Live.....
....that was the theory anyway. The little white camera is rather expensive for what it is and does. It costs £35 and for that you get the camera, some wires, a manual, and a code to get the Xbox Live version of UNO, which is one of the few games which implements the camera fully and enjoyably.
... ...bit of kit, and yet Microsoft still have the cheek to ask you for 35 whole pounds. PLUS, if you dont have Xbox Live Gold Membership, you can't even conduct video chats. And the inclusion of the camera into games is a bit pointless really. So, £35 for a photo of yourself on your Gamercard? See sense people. Just don't. ... more
The sucess of the Eye Toy for the Playstation 2 obviously had Bill Gates grinning like a nerd in PC World when he realised that the Xbox Live service could do with some MSN-style video chatting. And so, direct from Seattle, Microsoft proudly presents its 'Vision' camera, which is meant to redifine the way we use Xbox Live.....
....that was the theory anyway. The little white camera is rather expensive for what it is and does. It costs £35 and for that you get the camera, some wires, a manual, and a code to get the Xbox Live version of UNO, which is one of the few games which implements the camera fully and enjoyably.
So, what exactly can you do with this 'huge technological step'. Well, you can take your own Gamer Picture, rather than using cartoon versions of pirates. You can also have a video chat if another friend has a Vision camera, although you just have to sit on the Xbox Dashboard (main menu basically), and so cant really indulge in some proper gaming whilst waving at people from across the globe.
Then, if you DO want to participate in some gaming (well if you bought a 360, i think you do) then you can whack the Vision camera in and interact using it. Whilst playing UNO you can wave at foreigners and make gestures at people who put down cards which you dont want (but if you've got the urge to swear at people playing UNO, then you really should think about anger management). Then you can play Totemball, which is played entirely with arm movements. But to be brutally honest, its probably the worst Xbox 360 game available, so no amount of interaction is going to resurrect it from the Bargain Bin. Then, you have the proper 360 games like Burnout Paradise and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008. Tiger Woods has you using the camera to photograph your face so it can accurately map it onto a created character the game, rather than you spending 3 hours fussing over how big your nose should be in the game. Burnout Paradise implements the camera a bit more 'subtely', as the camera automatically takes a photo of you and displays it to your rivals each time you get 'Taken Down'. Oh great....MORE swearing.
You may think I'm being rather cynical, but the lack of interesting and innovative uses for the camera leaves me with very little to talk about. Even the few times it is used, its almost as though it was an after thought in the design process of games and so the whole experience proves to be a bit of a let down. Plus the camera itself its so technologically behind, with only 1.3MP and the fact its nigh-on impossible to take photos in any kind of brightness or darkness.
So Mr. Gates, your vision of people playing a Halo-themed Eye Toy game with your little white camera have been somewhat quashed. The camera is a poor bit of kit, and yet Microsoft still have the cheek to ask you for 35 whole pounds. PLUS, if you dont have Xbox Live Gold Membership, you can't even conduct video chats. And the inclusion of the camera into games is a bit pointless really. So, £35 for a photo of yourself on your Gamercard? See sense people. Just don't.
dan_the_turbanator 19.06.2008 (19.06.2008)
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Review of Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Vision Camera (Live)
Advantages: small and discreet, brings xbox live to life! Disadvantages: only 1.3 megapixel, front usb slot is untidy looking
This is a better product than In expected to be honest. I was surprised by the size as the picture never shows it beside anything to compare it! It's only 6cm high and about 4.5cm wide. In my own setup it sits discreetly beside my tv and is about 3-4 metres away from where I sit to play my xbox. It manages to capture a large area and the clarity is pretty good. There's a circular panel round the lens which glows green on startup, like the xbox itself, ... ...grey disk round the lens. When you start your XBox with no disk, you simply go to the tab for 'video' and you'll see the video feed appear...job done! With it you're able to video chat to your buddies and even get your face on your characters for online play! XBox say they're bringing out motion sensitive games soon to use with it too.
A negative I would say is the megapixels. At only 1.3 it's way short of even most mobile phones these days. Having ...
beatlebill 10.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Vision Camera (Live)
Advantages: Looks good for a web cam, works with PC's Disadvantages: No support, wire looks ugly, expensive, 1.3 megapixel
Considering how advanced the Xbox 360 is you would have thought that they would have been able to come up with something a litlle better than a 1.3 megapixel webcam.
I purchased this item for video chat but the image is so poor that its pointless. It promises so much but delivers so little. Create custom gamertag pics - no point as the pics are so blurry that you cant tell what anything is.
Play games online and see your competition - ok so playing ... ...but these games have been around for ages now and there is nothing new that utilises the vision cam. Rainbow 6 Vegas allowed you to map your face to a multiplayer character and this worked really well, I just cant believe more games havent adopted this idea.
Currently there isnt anything useful to do with the camera and in my opinion is a failed product. True it is compatible with a PC but for the price you can get a much better webcam.
It is not ...
paulwillocks 29.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Vision Camera (Live)
Advantages: Nice dashboard effect, Free Uno code, Can be used on PC Disadvantages: Limited games support, rubbish as a control method in Totemball
I bought this mainly with the intention of using it for both a webcam on PC and also on the Xbox 360. I'm unsure as to how useful it is for the Xbox 360.
One novel feature is that when you plug it into your console you will see yourself placed behind the background in the dashboard. Layered on top is a ripple effect so when you move about it creates ripples. Totally gimmicky I know but its just a nice little touch.
Support in games is mostly limited ... ...free code for Uno which is a nice chill out game and easy to play. With the camera other players can see you whilst playing. How useful or fun is left up to your imagination. I soon tired of it and just switched it off. I have heard of people getting up to all sort though.
The one game I know of that supports play using the camera is totemball of XB Live arcade. Its mostly frustrating. Control is very imprecise and you'll find your arms soon tire ...
hailstormxp 15.10.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Vision Camera (Live)
Product Information for "Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Vision Camera (Live)" »
Product details
Type
Cameras; Xbox Live
Console Type
Xbox 360
Region
PAL Version. The Format for UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand
Long Name
Official Xbox 360 Vision Camera (Live)
Manufacturer
Microsoft
Manufacturer's product description
The Xbox Live Camera for Xbox 360 opens up a new world of gaming and entertainment on Xbox Live, the world's premier online video games service. With the Xbox Live Camera, video chat and video messaging with your friends becomes more than just a feature set; it is an integrated part of the Xbox Live experience. Connect and communicate while playing the same or different games, watching movies, listening to music, and more.
The Xbox Live Camera also takes personalization to a whole new level and allows you to customize your gaming experience by putting your face on characters in your games, all while being able to video chat with your friends as you play online. And with next-generation online motion-detection-enabled games, the Xbox Live Camera puts you entirely in the game and in control of the on-screen characters over Xbox Live.
Features
High-end online camera supports up to VGA 640x480 video at 30 frames per second and takes 1.3-megapixel still photos.
The camera includes a microphone that connects to the controller, so everyone in the room can chat online with their friends.
The camera supports built-in video chat and video messaging on Xbox Live.
Your face can be imported into games and can also be placed next to your name on leader boards for even more recognition or fame.
Chat with your friends while you play online in Xbox 360 games as well as in the Xbox Live Arcade.
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