Short Review of the Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000

More than a month ago, I used my tickets on Live Search Club to get a Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000. There were only two choices, the 3000 or 6000 – obviously I chose the 6000. I did already have a webcam, but my Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 wouldn’t work with Vista.

The Logitech webcam I had is really good, almost clear video (in small resolution only though), but would still recommend for XP and earlier.

Last week the webcam arrived and of course I tried it out right away. As the instructions said, I installed the software first (which took a long time), then plugged the webcam into the USB port. Opened up the software to see how the video looked. It crashed and closed out! Something about ffdshow needed to be installed, according to Vista. The first thing I thought was: “Doesn’t everything I need come included on the CD?”

So, I installed ffdshow and the webcam software worked just fine. But, the video quality was really poor. It was like watching a station on TV that doesn’t come in very well, a lot of static. This webcam was claimed to have good video quality!

After playing with the ffdshow settings that made no difference at all, I uninstalled it. The webcam software worked fine even after uninstalling ffdshow. Weird. I looked up reviews online and eventually came across one person saying to not install from the CD, but to download the software/drivers from Microsoft and to change the USB bandwidth to a lower number.

I re-installed (just to be sure), switched the USB bandwidth to a lower number and noticed a change. But, a lower USB bandwidth number means slower video. Picture quality though for the most part is really good.

Here are some features of this webcam from the back of the box; my notes in italics:

• High Definition video (1.3 megapixels) and photos (5.0 megapixels interpolated) (Logitech webcam quality wasn’t as good)
• Wide-angle lens (Logitech webcam didn’t have this)
• 3x digital zoom (Logitech webcam has this)
• Automatic face tracking software (Logitech webcam comes with this too)
• Automatically adjust for low-light conditions for superior video quality (Not any better than the Logitech webcam)
• Read more features of the webcam on the Microsoft product page.

One thing I don’t like is if there is a light in the view of the webcam, it just makes that area completely white, rather than showing what is really there. The Logitech webcam didn’t do that.

Below is a very short clip of what the video looks like with the high definition video (1.3 megapixels) and the USB bandwidth set at 6. (Windows Media Player only, sorry.)

Link to video if you can’t view it above: Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000

I like that the webcam can sit on top of my monitor, unlike the Logitech that wasn’t designed to. I may have to put some double-sided tape on part of it so it doesn’t move when my monitor is bumped though.

Overall, I guess it’s an okay webcam. You get what you pay for right?

I don’t plan on purchasing a new webcam anytime soon, but if you know of one that has really good quality videos, I’d like to hear about it!

Image is a modified screenshot from the Microsoft product page.

Win a Premium WordPress Theme

UPDATE: It is now June 5th and the winner is… Vivian! And to quote her, “So I just HAVE to win, it’s in the cosmos…” She was right! This was completely random through Randomizer. I assigned all four participants a number and then let Randomizer pick the number randomly. Congratulations Vivian!

NOTE: Comments are now closed.

This isn’t going to be a huge giveaway like most are. But, since I have a premium WordPress theme that I don’t plan on using now, with Brian Gardner’s permission, I am giving it away! The theme I am giving away is the Revolution Theme. Here is a live demo if you would like to see it in action. If you need help with this theme, there is a support forum and tutorials.

UPDATE: I decided to change the rules, because I might be really busy and won’t be able to keep up. So, everything with a strikethrough does not apply.

To enter, subscribe to the RSS feed and then come back here and leave a comment on this post saying that you subscribed. Be sure when filling out your e-mail address that it is correct. It will be used to send you your new theme!

I will choose three people at random. I will ask the first person for a code. This code can only be found when subscribed. So be sure that you have subscribed! If the winner can’t give me the code, I will contact the second person and so on.

The code will not be the same code that is used for the free advertising, so please look out for the correct one!

You must leave a comment about subscribing before June 5th, 2008 EST. And yes, if you’re already subscribed, just leave a comment and you get an entry.

In summary, here are the steps to enter to win the theme:

• Subscribe to the feed.
• Leave a comment on this post saying you subscribed. This is important or you will not receive an entry!
• Watch the feed for the correct code anytime between now and June 5th.
• Wait until June 5th, 2008. I will announce the winner on this post!

The winner will be announced after one of the random three has given me the correct code.

Even if you don’t win, you can still purchase the Revolution Theme or several others. Or if you want something unique, maybe Brian can help you with that by creating a custom design.  I also hope when this ends, you will decide to stay subscribed subscribe!

Good luck to everyone who participates!

Buy Premium Themes, Don’t Steal Them

If it wasn’t for looking at my stats, I probably would not have known this. But apparently someone thinks my blog uses the NewsPress theme by Adii. My blog does not use the NewsPress theme. My blog is not a live demo of the theme.

I wanted to announce this because the forum I found this on doesn’t allow me to post; possibly would if I had an account, but I’m not creating an account just for that purpose. So, I am announcing it here on my blog in hopes that any visitors from that forum looking for a live demo of the NewsPress theme will see this.

I’m flattered someone would use my blog as a live demo, but not by someone who is trying to distribute copies of the theme illegally and obviously not wanting to point to the actual live demo in fear of getting caught. NewsPress is available to buy if you are interested. The theme looks really good though, so if you want it, please buy it instead of trying to steal it.

Premium themes are usually themes that people have worked hard on to provide you with a high quality theme for your blog. They deserve to be paid for their time. So, if you’re looking for a free theme, there are plenty of websites that offer free themes. You can search Google for quite a bit of websites offering free themes.

BuySellAds and Free Advertising for RSS Subscribers

I had found out about BuySellAds through one blog and was curious so I checked them out. BuySellAds allows you to buy or sell ads, obviously. What I like is that advertisers can purchase an ad through them and then it will appear, just like how it works with Text Link Ads, except that BuySellAds use images, which you can select what size you want them to be.

It was a little harder with customizing to get it to work right, but I managed. It was one of those ‘It works in Firefox, but not IE7′ issues. Took me a couple hours to finally get it just right (at least in IE7 and Firefox). I’ll leave it up to anyone using other browsers to point out if anything looks wrong. Just a small note: it isn’t BuySellAds’ code that caused the problem, it was some CSS not working right with the layout in IE7.

I do like how they don’t just show your Google Page Rank or Alexa Rank; they show more information, such as Yahoo Inbound Links, Technorati Rank and more. This allows people who have lost their Google Page Rank to at least appear popular in other areas (assuming they actually are).

I added two spots on the side which both currently say “Advertise Here”. If you click on one, it will take you right to the page to purchase an ad. I hope they will fill up.

Also, I am currently offering free advertising to one random RSS subscriber. Just pay attention to the bottom of each post in your reader and one will mention free advertising with a code. Just follow all instructions if you’re interested. Good luck!

Win One of Two MacBook Airs or $100

Bloggers are probably one of the most generous people. Sure they usually have a reason (like bringing more traffic) but it’s great for the visitors! We all really do like contests, don’t we?

Even though it would be great to win $100, a MacBook Air would be even better! I would love to have a new laptop to replace the one that I have that overheats (has melted the bottom of the laptop) and probably cause a fire (I hope not).

Anyway, there are several ways to get entries in this contest over at Bloggin-Ads. I recommend getting as many entries as possible if you really would like a chance at getting a MacBook Air. I will be very surprised, but very happy if I actually win a MacBook Air. Not because it’s a MacBook Air, but because of what it’s worth. That’s an expensive prize! And very much wanted.

There will be 12 winners. 10 winners will each receive $100 and 2 winners will each receive a MacBook Air.

Contest ends June 13, so get your entries in now! Good luck!