Back in September, Nick blogged about two new LifeCams from Microsoft Hardware: the VX-7000 and NX-3000. Recently, I've been looking for a new webcam. I already owned the VX-3000 - but I wanted something a little more powerful and higher quality. And Read More......(
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Written by Windows Vista Team Blog on March 7th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Certified for Windows Vista and Featured News and Microsoft Hardware and Microsoft LifeChat and Soapbox and VX-7000 and Webcam and Windows Live and Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Photo Gallery.
Back in September, Nick blogged about two new LifeCams from Microsoft Hardware: the VX-7000 and NX-3000. Recently, I've been looking for a new webcam. I already owned the VX-3000 - but I wanted something a little more powerful and higher quality. And the VX-7000 is just that! I went ahead and picked one up last week and thought I'd share some notes on my experience with it so far.
First off, let me give you a brief introduction to the device. The VX-7000 is the top-of-the-line webcam in the VX series of LifeCams from Microsoft Hardware. The VX series LifeCams are designed for desktop PCs while the NX series LifeCams are designed for laptops. The VX-7000 is a Certified for Windows Vista device so it is designed to work great with Windows Vista. All LifeCams are optimized for Windows Live - specifically being used with Windows Live Messenger for video calls. The VX-7000 comes with a pretty slick set of specs (you can also read the specs here from the Microsoft Hardware site):
- 2.0 Megapixel Sensor for clear video
- Built-in Microphone designed to capture crystal clear audio
- Universal Attachment Base to fit on top and clamp on to most monitors
- Auto-Adjustment for Low Light Conditions
- 71 degree Wide-angle Lens
- High Definition 8 Megapixel still digital photographs
Both video and still photos are shot at 1600x1200 screen resolution which is really nice.
The VX-7000 (and all LifeCams) utilizes the Microsoft LifeCam client where you can take photos and videos using the camera. You can download the Microsoft LifeCam along with the drivers here.
But what the VX-7000 is perfect at, I found out, is doing video calls with contacts in Windows Live Messenger. I used Windows Live Messenger's Audio and Video wizard (under the Tools menu) to set the audio and video up with the VX-7000. I then initiated a video call with a friend of mine and within seconds my friend could hear and see me via my VX-7000 webcam. And the quality was pretty good!
As I mentioned above, you can use the Microsoft LifeCam client to record photos and videos using the VX-7000 (or any LifeCam). And with Windows Live Photo Gallery - you can upload those photos you take to your Windows Live Space (or Flickr). Did you also know that with Windows Live Photo Gallery you can upload videos to MSN Soapbox as well?
I was able to take several videos I shot with the VX-7000 and use Windows Live Photo Gallery to upload them to MSN Soapbox.
Overall though I've been really impressed with the quality of the VX-7000 in general and it should certainly be looked at if you're looking for a new webcam.
Written by Brandon LeBlanc on March 7th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Certified for Windows Vista and Featured News and Microsoft Hardware and Microsoft LifeChat and Soapbox and VX-7000 and Webcam and Windows Live and Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Photo Gallery.
Windows Live Messenger accounts for the largest community for any IM client worldwide. At the end of 2007, in November, as Microsoft was unveiling Windows Live 2.0, the next generation of its suite of software and services in the cloud, the company estimated that Windows Live Messenger had an install base of approximately 300 million users. In this context, it failed to come as a surprise the fact that Windows Live messenger was the most attacked instant messaging platform in 2007, according to statistics provided by FaceTime Communications. And with such a high profile, it is bound that the trend will continue into 2008. (more…)
Written by Jason on January 29th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Internet and MSN and Security and Software and Win32/Pushbot.BD and Windows Live Messenger and malicious and malware and worm.
Yesterday (and possibly the day before) a lot of commotion was caused when people started getting “Trial Period” notices appearing when using Windows Live Mobile Messenger.
The message read the following (image):
“Hello! Starting today, your 30 day trial period beings. By selecting OK you acknowledge that your use of Windows Live services continues to be subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. Data charges from your mobile operator, including roaming fees may apply for using the Windows Live services. At the conclusion of this trial, you will be given the option to purchase a 30 day pass.”:
Here is what actually happened: Microsoft rolled out a direct-to-consumer billing service for the Windows Live client on Nokia S60’s in the UK and Sweden. The only problem was that not just Nokia S60 users got the message but everyone using the Live Service.
As you may know, we offer Messenger services through mobile operators on lots of handsets, not just Windows Mobile. Traditionally, customers have been billed by their mobile operators for many of these services, either directly or through their data package.- Matt Champagne, director of Windows Live mobile services.
Microsoft are considering adding the “direct-to-consumer billing service” to everyone in the future the finial decision has not been made yet.
So…If you were on a Windows Mobile device and not a Nokia S60 and received the message by accident-ignore it!
Written by Patrick S on January 9th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Bugs and Windows Live Messenger and Windows Mobile.
