Creative Live Cam Connect HD

Creative Live! Cam Connect HD

The Creative Live! Cam Connect HD ($69.99 direct) webcam attempts to strike a balance between high-end models like the Logitech c920 ($99.99, 4 stars) and Creative's own inPerson HD ($149.99, 3 stars), and budget webcams like the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 ($39.99, 3.5 stars). The Connect HD is a good choice for Skype HD and other video chats, but its overall middling video quality and mono audio limit its appeal otherwise. Design and Software BundleMeasuring 0.8 by 2.6 inches (HW), the Connect HD is made entirely of glossy black plastic. The webcam looks sharp, with prominent, protruding optics, and a smooth, sleek look when clipped to the top of a monitor. You get a simple, two-stage clip-on mount with an extra pivot point for the main camera body. That means you can clip it on a desktop LCD or a thin laptop lid, and then adjust the vertical tilt of the camera body to aim at your position. The hard plastic isn't as flexible as some rubberized versions we've seen, but the extra tilt adjustment is certainly helpful. On the software side, the Connect HD is Skype HD certified at 720p, and works with PCs, Macs, and Linux machines.