
Creative, the princes of peripherals have updated their webcam division with four new models, which work via a handy Plug n Play connector and all have handy inbuilt Mic's. The Creative Live! Cam Video IM uses Creative Live! Audio technology which filters out background noises, which is great for fuzzy connections and works with any IM service, from MSN to Skype. The Advanced Video FX software means you can edit video files and record messages with visual effects and pretty backgrounds for that extra oomph.
The Daddy of the collection would have to be the Live! Cam Notebook Ultra, which can take still images up to 5 megapixels, which is pretty advanced for a webcam that retails at under £30. You also get an included headset for private conversations and it includes an illuminated blue highlight so you'll be visible in any lighting conditions. There's a 1.3 megapixel sensor for sharp video recording and a ultra wide angle lens with a 80 degree video angle. There are also two Adaptive Array microphones for super sharp voice fidelity.
From £19.99 at Creative
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Will have to check the new line of Creative cams out. Several of their USB 2.0 models are already UVC compliant - meaning that it's plug and play compatible with not only Windows Vista but on Apple Mac running OS X 10.4.9 and up: It's hard to find Mac compatible webcams that Just-Work, but some are listed here: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/ I'll check the specs on Creative Labs new video chat camera line and add any UVC standard based models to my list.