Live!Cam Socialize HD Webcam unboxing - Creative Labs

[tagoo22]

gooooood!

[pamew]

For those suffering from lag, I'll try posting a "fix" video. Turns out that usually it's actually msn messenger responsible for bad framerates!

[TyroneCrawford]

@keithandrew666 how the camera quality at taking pictures? Would you recommend this to me ? If not which webcam should I get which is better?

Thanks

[Pikaash2009]

how do i use this in a chat roullete i dioesnt show me

[simplysped2]

If i hold a paper up on half of the screen, the FPS jumps up. Anyone know whats going on?

[simplysped2]

how do I get it to record at 30 fps? Looks like 10-15 now..

[superpie47]

hi i need helpthere is a button where you can make yourself an avatar. mine is stuck as a cat! how do i get it off!? i looked for away to remove it i cant find it!

[superpie47]

@superpie47 if u dont know what im talking about go to 1:01 of ur video its stuck on that white cat. how do i get it off!! please help me. i cant do anything but look at that stupid cat all day!

[wearecreativelabs]

@superpie47 Go into Live! Central 2, click effects, then the second icon on the top right side which looks like a tiki mask, and from there you can switch avatars.

[superpie47]

@wearecreativelabs yes, im there but when i click on a different avatar, it wont go, nothing happens, it just stays with that dumb cat!!

[deepsweech]

@wearecreativelabs I'm using the latest mac mini not the server ver 4gb ram osx 10.6. Tried installing win7 in bootcamp same problem.

[Kiretrams1]

I have the same, but mine is like really laggy and stuff, you know how to fix this? i'm using vista and a pretty good computer, not bad at all, but the webcam is just laggy

[wearecreativelabs]

@Kiretrams1 Is it laggy when you are chatting with someone online? Or laggy when you are using the software?

[Kiretrams1]

@wearecreativelabs Actually both, but most of it is when iam chatting online, but also when i'm just using it. But it is strange, if i hold my finger on the camera ( on the circle that recordes ), hold my finger on the cirkle, but only half of it so i still can see myself but now half. then it is running really fast. also if i go close to it, it is running pretty well

[wearecreativelabs]

@Kiretrams1 Hello have you tried the latest driver and application from our website?

Since you are running the webcam on Win Vista, you can download the available downloads online at support.creative.com, then click webcams, Live! Cam Socialize HD, and then click the latest driver.

[PaceyPimp]

will it work on a OS X 10.6.5?

[eblenn]

Wow, I really LOVE unboxing videos! You should see MY unboxing videos!

[LTF85199]

can you focus the camera manually. .. or the better question is does it have a manual focus ring?

[wearecreativelabs]

@LTF85199 Sorry, this webcam has a fixed focus lens.

[LTF85199]

@wearecreativelabs Apology accepted, jus kiddin..... :) thanks for the reply

[AfflictedPerfection]

How well does this Camera work with a Macbook? And skype as well? Thanks!

[wearecreativelabs]

@AfflictedPerfection It works perfectly with a Macbook! Just plug and play. =D Yes, it also works with Skype.

[deepsweech]

@wearecreativelabs just got this camera last week. Plugged into my mac mini(latest one). Video/Mic works but the only issue im having is it has a very slow frame rate. Motion is not so smooth. Is there any way to improve that?

[wearecreativelabs]

@deepsweech Hi can you tell me what resolution you are using on your mac? Please also check what OS you are using. If it is a Mac OS X, is it the server version or otherwise? If it is not the server version, is your os version 10.5?

[SonyEricssonTube]

@AfflictedPerfection works well with skype i doubt it would with a macbook but then again not much works with a macbook

[thuis28]

@AfflictedPerfection HI Just bought one and pugged it to my Mac Mini. On SKYPE my sister can see me, but there is no sound. My Line in is set to Live Cam USB.

Whar must i do?? Please help me. Thanks, evert

[NomysYT]

The Creative support site for socialize HD says "Windows Vista is not supported"! What the hell.

[wearecreativelabs]

@NomysYT Does it?! It certainly shouldn't! I use Socialize HD with both Vista & 7 and haven't had any trouble with it. I will make sure the appropriate textual changes happen on the support page. Thanks!

[NomysYT]

@wearecreativelabs Yes, I uninstalled and installed multiple times. I even disabled all windows services that could have interferred with the last attempt to install. Vista picks up the webcam, says everything is properly installed, but no video chat programs will detect the camera. I'm very disappointed with Creative for releasing software that is so buggy.

[NomysYT]

I'm on Vista and the Live Central 2 software just doesn't seem to pick up the webcam, even though device manager says it's properly installed. Does anyone know what the problem is and how to fix it?

[wearecreativelabs]

@NomysYT Have you tried uninstalling & reloading the driver?

[daraomusic]

awesome cam! love it. have orded one today, but can the program do a slit screen? - Dado

[ShufflerCover]

Is it with microfon?

[ChEILoZ]

@ShufflerCover yes

[MiiDylan]

i dont know if to actually get. i mean this would be great to do some product reviews or just ramble or like that but auto focus!? is it any good

[Saterik82]

As a result the camera doesn't function properly:

- Max Resolution is 640x480.... no 1280x720 here!

- No 5.7mp photos.

- The light doesn't come on.

- The button doesn't work & can't be programmed.

- Doesn't work with iMovie or FCP.

Quality of the video is very jagged, but maybe this is because its not properly supported on Mac and might be smoother with real drivers on Windows.

I'm going to get the more expensive Logitech Quickcam instead as that actually was properly designed to work on Mac.

[wearecreativelabs]

@Saterik82 It might be the better option for you to go with a webcam that is designed especially to work on Mac. This webcam, the actual webcam, will work with Mac--I have used it and haven't seen the same problems with max resolution or jagged video, but the functionality of the camera made possible by the software are missing, true. I wish you the best & thanks for the feedback. Maybe we can get you back when we come out with a webcam that is fully functional on both Mac&PC. -Tawnee

[pamew]

@wearecreativelabs is there any reason why you advertise the camera as running at "up to" 30 frames a second in HD mode? the quality is ASS, I haven't seen one person on youtube getting anything near that, and the camera is frankly unusable in 720p mode. Just to save people some time, get the microsoft lifecam cinema instead, it has a stereo mic, a carl zeiss lens, actual focus controls, proper windows 7 support, and ACTUALLY RECORDS IN WATCHABLE HD. 0/5 for this product, wish I could burn it.

[Saterik82]

Currently returning one of these that I bought to use on my Mac.

It's very misleading that it's sold as PC & Mac compatible with all the features listed for both. The Creative software only works on Windows and there is nothing for Mac at all. I only found this out when I opened the box and read the instructions inside, I then noticed a tiny footnote on the box which also says the software isn't available on Mac and Linux.

[DonVares]

is this compatible with windows vista?

[wearecreativelabs]

@DonVares Yes, it most certainly is. And Windows 7, XP, etc.

[pamew]

@wearecreativelabs Disregard previous comments, the problem is solved. Lowering the backlight level to minimum rather than the default 50% actually seems to fix it, I guess the cam was focusing too much on background detail instead and lagging as a result. Performance is about 30 FPS @ 720 which is perfect, seems a very good camera once it's tweaked, just a little hit and miss getting the thing set up in terms of software. the avatar feature is creepy yet totally awesome, I should add.

[wearecreativelabs]

@pamew Glad it worked out for you. I knew that cam was a good one. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. -Tawnee

[grachielamichellepaz]

mine just came in the mail today. I installed the software and NOTHING!!! It doesnt work and the software is glitchy. Waste of money I am returning this ASAP. My 4$ ebay cam works better!!!!

[wearecreativelabs]

@grachielamichellepaz Sorry to hear that you had some initial trouble with the set up. Can you tell me more about what OS you are using and where you purchased the camera? I can help you troubleshoot.

[pamew]

@wearecreativelabs here's a helpful hint. It doesn't work on windows 7 due to crashes, (confirmed by many) lags awfully on xp for some unexplained reason, (have tested it on TEN machines now all with the same result) and I've yet to see a full review from anyone using a vista machine as no one can get the damn things to work on it. Were you guys dosed on meth when you came up with this? this thing is just awful, and that's coming from someone who actually generally LIKES creative products.

[wearecreativelabs]

@pamew Would you mind providing me some more insight into your system specs? I know first hand that the camera works on XP and 7 and Vista as I have used it with no issue on all three OS, so there is clearly something else happening. I'd like to work with you to figure out what that is. You can reply here or contact me directly at socialmediaYcreativelabsZcom (Y is @ and Z is .)

[pamew]

@wearecreativelabs My system passes the specs, so that shouldn't be relevant in a product that works. it lags horribly because the CMOS sensor is utter crap. Problem solved. Even in a brightly lit room in daytime where other cams are fine, this POS dies and actually saves maybe 1 in 5 frames. the only way to get 30 FPS is if you point a halogen desklight directly at it. Nice idea for a camera, poorly executed. Tell your bosses to use better sensors, the damn misers!

[wearecreativelabs]

@pamew I've filmed a handful of videos using this webcam on both Win7 and XP with no issue at all- no shuddering, no need for additional lighting & it worked perfectly (please see the more recent videos in our timeline with the titles "Socialize HD Demo"). It sounds to me as if something is interfering with the drivers, maybe anti-virus or firewall? It may not be the hardware specs. I am happy to help you if you would like to provide more info. But if you'd rather vent, I can leave you to it.

[pamew]

@wearecreativelabs I only use Microsoft certified software if it's running constantly (IE anti viruses, firewalls like you mentioned), so there should be no compatibility issues there. I'm afraid it's just a case of REALLY poor light detection. I've also tried another cam ( a mikomi) that uses the same standard windows cam driver, and had none of the same issues (when ran at comparable resolutions). All in all, I'm starting to give up, as pointing a halogen light at it isn't a proper fix.

[janthony721]

all it did was show how to unwrap the package, nothing about how to set it up once its plugged, please spare me the stupid videos

[wearecreativelabs]

@janthony721 Hey there. This is one of a few videos we have done about the Socialize HD camera. Some people want to know (especially before purchasing) what is inside the box, that is what this video is for. Please look at the other videos we have on Socialize HD to see features/functionality and set up.

Thank you.

[Whitecatcb]

this worthless piece of shit won't work on my computer. Creative, please sue yourself

[wearecreativelabs]

What computer are you running Whitecatcb? And if you wouldn't mind not cussing at me, that would be great.

-Tawnee

[PropheticVoice7]

I bought Creative optia AF, wasnt up to my expectation,it needs additional light around to the room for a brighter picture.If you increase exposure,your video frame rate mess up.

[wearecreativelabs]

Good feedback PropheticVoice7, I'll be sure to send a message to our product team to let them know the issues you are having.

Thanks,

Tawnee

[TheFutureLooksGrimm]

Was this video filmed with one of these new cams? It looks nice.

[wearecreativelabs]

No, it wasn't filmed with the Socialize HD- but we will be filming videos with the Socialize HD so you can see how good the picture looks off of the Socialize HD lens.

Thanks for the great question.

-Tawnee

[timcat100]

Creative is crap.....what next will they sell? a Bagless vacuum? Why in the heck are they letting perfected items die with new OS like audigy z...no support for vista WTF kisss mine creative

[PowerTorsk]

Wow. Mewants!

[GreenySVK]

Nice ONE !