Lifecam vx-3000 ... how to get to the "wizard" again????

  • Thread starter Thread starter Poordan
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Poordan

Hey

I am so far extremely frustrated with this microsoct Lifecam webcam.

When I first installed it, I set it up in the wizard that I could use
my own microphone in my soundcard for sound. But the sound was out of
sync. Now maybe this is a problem with the webcam (is it?), but I
figure I better test it and try to set it to use the Lifecam's own mic.

I have been trying for 2 hours, there is NO way to change these
settings. There is no "file" or menu in the lifecam screen. It's so
aggravating...Is there any way to adjust these settings? How do you go
back to the set up wizard?

I already tried uninstalling/reinstalling and it STILL did not take me
to the setup wizard.


Jordan
 
Poordan said:
Hey

I am so far extremely frustrated with this microsoct Lifecam webcam.

When I first installed it, I set it up in the wizard that I could use
my own microphone in my soundcard for sound. But the sound was out of
sync. Now maybe this is a problem with the webcam (is it?), but I
figure I better test it and try to set it to use the Lifecam's own mic.

I have been trying for 2 hours, there is NO way to change these
settings. There is no "file" or menu in the lifecam screen. It's so
aggravating...Is there any way to adjust these settings? How do you go
back to the set up wizard?

I already tried uninstalling/reinstalling and it STILL did not take me
to the setup wizard.


Jordan
Click to expand...

The reviews here (scroll down to the bottom) only mention a lip sync
problem while recording. Somehow I doubt using the built-in microphone
will fix the problem. The users don't seem to have problems with
live applications, for whatever that is worth.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVM5DK

When you uninstall an application, sometimes stuff is left in the
registry, or some files from the install could be left behind on your
hard drive. I'm sure there are a few software developers out there,
who feel keeping the user's previous preferences, is good design. So
the fact the wizard does not pop up, is not an accident. Keep searching
for the culprit.

You might try looking for some other recording software.

Paul
 
Hey thanks!

I found the menu....But I can't fix the audio problems.

When I use the built in mic, there is a HORRIBLE high pitched
SQUEELING...What on earth??

When I use my own microphone, it's out of sync.


Is there any way to get decent audio out of this thing?



Jordan
 
Poordan said:
Hey thanks!

I found the menu....But I can't fix the audio problems.

When I use the built in mic, there is a HORRIBLE high pitched
SQUEELING...What on earth??

When I use my own microphone, it's out of sync.


Is there any way to get decent audio out of this thing?



Jordan
Click to expand...

The squealing could be feedback. It means your sound card
has been put in passthru, so the sound recorded by the
microphone, is coming out of your speakers. Try muting
the speakers on your computer (or turn your computer
speakers off for a quick test) and see if the squealing
stops.

I don't know why a lip sync issue would be different with
different sound sources. The recording software should be
careful to drain the sound card at regular intervals,
rather than trying to take the mathematically correct
number of samples. Say, for example, the sound input on
the computer has a nominal 8000 sample per second sampling
rate. Say instead, that the clock on the sound card is fast,
so the sound card collects 8001 samples in one second. The
software might try asking for 8000 samples on average
each second. It would fall behind if it did that, and
there would be a worsening lip sync problem. If the sound
card drained all the samples, or used some kind of resampling
method, then the problem could be solved.

Now, maybe the built-in microphone, is sampled synchronous to
the video. So they go hand in hand. It is really hard to say.

As a consumer, if it happened to me, I'd be looking for some
other recording software. All you really need with your video
device, is a driver, as then you can try other recording
software with that hardware.

Paul
 
Hey

I had already figured it was feedback and turned off my speakers and
disconnected my other microphone. Still horrible squeeling when I use
the in-camera mic.

I'm not sure what you mean by other recording software... I just wanted
a webcam to make some quick videos (mainly of me playing songs). I
thought using the webcam and then my own mic would work well, though it
isn't... What other kind of software could I do this with?


-Jordan
 
Poordan said:
Hey

I had already figured it was feedback and turned off my speakers and
disconnected my other microphone. Still horrible squeeling when I use
the in-camera mic.

I'm not sure what you mean by other recording software... I just wanted
a webcam to make some quick videos (mainly of me playing songs). I
thought using the webcam and then my own mic would work well, though it
isn't... What other kind of software could I do this with?


-Jordan
Click to expand...

The first thing I'd try, is download the latest software from Microsoft.
It is interesting that they offer a different version of software,
depending on whether you are using WinXP SP2 or some other version
of WinXP.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/downloads/default.mspx

The newsgroup rec.video.desktop would be one place to ask, about recording
applications.

http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/capture/start.html
http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/capture/capturing.html (SW versus driver used)

(A free one.)
http://www.virtualdub.org/docs_capture

($25, but offers "try before you buy".)
http://www.iulabs.com/
http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/capture/avi/avi.htm#iuvcr

Maybe some more leads here:

http://www.videohelp.com/guides.php?guideid=218&howtoselect=9;50#218

Maybe some of the video editing packages have capture options, but
that could be more expensive. Do you have software to edit your
capture ?

I gave up on my BT878 based capture card years ago... So I have no
current experience with capturing.

Paul
 
Hey thanks!

I found the menu....But I can't fix the audio problems.

When I use the built in mic, there is a HORRIBLE high pitched
SQUEELING...What on earth??

When I use my own microphone, it's out of sync.


Is there any way to get decent audio out of this thing?



Jordan
Click to expand...

Interesting.

Does the built in mic have a separate plug that goes to the MIC IN, or the
built-in mic digitizes and sends audio in the USB stream ? If it has a
separate MIC jack, the out-of-sync audio should be there as well.

You problem is not un-common when one device, in this case a USB webcam,
captures video and another device, your sound card, captures audio.
 
yeah, the built in mic is just inside the webcam, and goes into my cpu
with the same USB that the cam goes into.

I've been on the phone with microsoft, they are just sending me a new
one, saying something is wrong. But I don't know if a new one will
work any better....



Jordan
 
Poordan said:
yeah, the built in mic is just inside the webcam, and goes into my cpu
with the same USB that the cam goes into.

I've been on the phone with microsoft, they are just sending me a new
one, saying something is wrong. But I don't know if a new one will
work any better....

Jordan
Click to expand...

Do you have any other multimedia software installed ? Perhaps
some software from another web camera ? Maybe some older software
from another product is screwing it up.

Paul
 
Nah I never had another web camera..

I'll report back when I get the new one in the mail, and see if it's
also "defective"



Jordan
 
Just letting anyone know --

Microsoft sent me a new one, and the high pitched squeeling sound is
gone.

There are still sync problems, and I've tried uploading to youtube and
it can't because lifecam makes .wmv files, which youtube doesn't like.
But anyway, the one I had was defective.


-Jordan
 
Jordan;
Just for curiosity, how long did it take to get the replacement from first
contact with Microsoft?

Did you have any trouble communicating with Microsoft?
How much?
 
It was a good like, afternoon, on the phone, but it was OK. They sent
it to me within a week.



-Jordan
 
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