Through the lens

So what’s the difference between webCams, multi-mode cameras, digital cameras? We spoke with the webcam experts – Creative – and they explained it all to us so it’s as clear as their webcam footage.

Webcam or web camera?

Web cameras (also called webcams and tethered cameras) are cameras that attach to the computer. These cameras provide excellent support for video capture, video-conferencing and video instant messaging, but cannot be used when detached from the PC. You usually do not have to use batteries with a web camera since their power is supplied by the PC. Most web cameras feature USB 1.1 connections, but some cameras are available in USB 2.0 or FireWire configurations. According to the guys at Creative, an excellent example of a USB 2.0 webcam is the Live! Cam Optia, one of the latest webcams from Creative.

PC-CAM or multi-mode camera?

Multi-mode cameras are like two cameras in one. They include all of the features of a web camera when connected to the PC – and work as a digital still camera when detached from the computer. Some even capture video and audio. They commonly use two or four AAA batteries, but some have built-in rechargeable batteries. The pictures taken in digital camera mode can be stored on the camera’s flash memory (typically 16MB in capacity). Memory capacity can be increased with the help of flash memory cards. Sleek and stylish, the PC-CAM 950 Slim is one of the latest PC-CAMs from Creative.

Digital still cameras or digital cameras?

Digital still cameras offer the best picture quality and features for taking snapshots away from your computer. They typically do not have a video-conferencing feature, but you can connect it to your computer for photo downloads. They often have integrated flash memory and expansion slots for flash memory cards that increase your photo-taking capacity. These cameras commonly use two or four AA regular or rechargeable batteries.

Digital video cameras

Digital video cameras capture moving images digitally, rather than recording them on tape. With digital video, you get quality and ease of use, as moving images captured are stored in a high-quality, easily-edited digital format. In recent years, there has been a convergence of digital still and video cameras, where the latter is also able to capture digital snapshots. Marrying the best that each camera type has to offer, the DiVi CAM 525D is the ultimate all-in-one digital camcorder and still camera – complete with MP3 player and voice recording capabilities.

Creative Live! Cams

Those guys at Creative claim that they are all about exciting new features and software bundles with the latest Creative Live! Cam web cameras. Built with users in mind, these cams have added numerous enhancements to make video chatting more enjoyable than ever before. Some of the good stuff includes Directional Live! audio technology, adaptive array microphones, directional beam forming, noise cancellation and advanced audio FX.

Features include 2-megapixel sensor, auto focus, pan ‘n tilt, digital pan, tilt & zoom , wide angle lens, maxview, auto focus lens, 640x480 resolution, high quality glass lens, auto tuning, panoramic snap and smart face tracking.

Creative say that the latest Live! Cam series of webcams raises the bar, citing significant improvements in key technologies, sleek designs and new packaging. Also of interest – and amusement – is more software bundling.

Let’s start with that software:

Creative Live! Cam Avatar – bundled with Optia Pro and Video IM Pro – allows you to substitute your own image with one of a range of supplied 3D avatars. These avatars can mimic lip movements by detecting the voice signals picked up by the webcam’s integrated microphone, as well as responding to your movements.

For a bit of extra fun (or to make your feelings perfectly clear) it’s possible to add emotions to them.
The results range from hilarious to downright scary.

Also bundled with these two cams is Creative Live! Cam Avatar Creator. This three-step software lets you make your own 3D avatars by taking the digital frontal image of anyone or anything with a pair of eyes and
a mouth.

For the privileged Optia Pro buyer, Creative Live! Cam FaceSecure is also included; this uses a facial recognition software engine to authenticate a user during Windows login, instead of the usual Windows password prompt. This log-in process is quicker and more convenient, especially for multiple users who share a common PC. If you’ve already got yourself a Live! Cam Optia or Live! Cam Optia AF webcam, you can download the FaceSecure software from the

Creative website

(www.asia.creative.com).

A welcome feature for parents – and one fitted to all new Live! Cam series – is the parental control feature that allows the webcam to be locked with a password, preventing any unauthorised usage.

Now let’s check out some of the webcams:

	Live! Cam Notebook Ultra Creative Live! Cam Notebook Ultra is a premium notebook webcam that comes with 1.3-megapixel sensor and a pair of integrated adaptive array microphones, which delivers claimed-to-be-unmatched audio clarity during videoconferencing. The ultra-wide angle precision lens sees across an impressive 85°, making it large enough to accommodate the whole family – and their friends – and their dogs – and their dogs’ friends – in the video chat. Live! Cam Notebook Ultra specifications: Sensor: 1.3-megapixel Lens: 85° ultra wide-angle precision lens Microphone: built-in adaptive array Highest still image resolution: 5-megapixel 2560 x 1920 (software enhanced) Highest video resolution: 1.3-megapixel 1280 x 960 Focus: fixed Interface: high-speed USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1) Zoom: 4x digital
	Creative Live! Cam Notebook Allows you to engage in natural-looking video chats with clear hands-free audio on the go. The Creative Auto Tuning technology provides a 800 x 600 video resolution, offering video chats that are in sharp contrast and vibrant color. Utilize other features such as the Live! Cam Center Lite where you can snap photos or capture videos easily. You can even organize your library with the Photo Manager 2 or perform any other task easily with the Live! Cam Manager. Creative Live! Cam Notebook Specifications: Sensor: VGA Sensor Highest still image resolution: 1.3-megapixel 1280x960 (software enhanced) Highest video resolution: 800x 600@15fps (software enhanced) Focus: adjustable manual focus ring Interface: USB 1.1 (compatible with USB 2.0)
	Live! Cam Notebook Pro The new Creative Live! Cam Notebook Pro sports a new glossy black look as well as an integrated microphone. The new slim hard casing has a smart cable management system to help users store the webcam safely and conveniently, so it’s a great webcam for anyone who’s constantly on the go. Creative Live! Cam Notebook Pro VF0400 specifications: Sensor: VGA CMOS Microphone: Built-in Highest still image resolution: 1.3-megapixel (software enhanced) Highest video resolution: 800x600 (software enhanced) Focus: adjustable Interface: USB 1.1 Zoom: 4x digital
	Creative Live! Cam Notebook Pro VF0250 specifications Sensor: VGA Sensor Highest still image resolution: 1.3-megapixel 1280x960 (software enhanced) Highest video resolution: 640x480@15fps Focus: adjustable manual focus ring Interface: USB 1.1 (compatible with USB 2.0)
	Creative Live! Cam Optia Pro Enjoy 1.3-megapixel high definition quality videos with a wider field of view along with crystal-clear audio. There’s no need to bother with driver installations or fumble with a separate mouthpiece or microphone! That’s the beauty the plug-and-play capabilities of the Live! Cam Optia Pro bring to you. Creative Live! Cam Optia Pro specifications: Sensor: 1.3-megapixel Lens: wide-angle precision glass lens Microphone: built-in with noise cancellation Highest still image resolution: 5-megapixel 2560x1920 (software enhanced) Highest video resolution: 1.3-megapixel 1280 x 960 Focus: fixed Interface: high-speed USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1)
	Live! Cam Optia AF Creative claim that the Optia AF allows you to enjoy super sharp image quality and top sound quality at the same time. To back up this boastful claim, it features an auto focus 2-megapixel sensor and Live! Audio technology. It also hooks up to any notebook or computer display without driver installation. Creative Live! Cam Optia AF specifications: Sensor: 2 megapixel sensor Lens: High quality precision lens Microphone: Built-in adaptive array microphones Highest Still Image Resolution: 8 megapixels 3200 x 2400 (software enhanced) Highest Video Resolution: 1600 x 1200 Focus: Auto Interface: High-Speed USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1)
	Live! Cam Video IM Pro and Creative Live! Cam Video IM This contrasting pair have also spent time at the Creative webcam clinic, emerging with a ‘premium upgrade of features and design’. The Creative Live! Cam Video IM Pro now comes with an integrated noise-cancellation microphone and USB plug-and-play feature. Creative also claim great improvements in image quality, with coluor quality, frame-rates, and lowlight performance all enhanced. Its cheaper sibling, Creative Live! Cam Video IM, now comes with a built-in microphone, so you can ditch those cumbersome cables. Impressively, both webcams are now 50 per cent smaller than before, making them look more compact and sleek than before. Creative Live! Video IM Pro specifications: Sensor: VGA Sensor Microphone: Built-in microphone Highest Still Image Resolution: 1.3 Megapixel 1280 x 960 (software enhanced) Highest Video Resolution: 800x600@30fps (software enhanced) Focus: Adjustable manual focus ring Interface: High-Speed USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1)
	Creative Live! Video IM specifications: Sensor: VGA Sensor Microphone: Built-in microphone Highest Still Image Resolution: 1.3 Megapixel 1280x960 (software enhanced) Highest Video Resolution: 800x600@15fps (software enhanced) Focus: Adjustable manual focus ring Interface: USB 1.1 (Compatible with USB 2.0)