Final thoughts, awards, HEXUS.right2reply
At a glance
Pros
* Ultra low-cost
* Includes microphone
* Video and audio okay - if not special
* Works with Skype
* Included security app surprising good
* Works with USB 1.1
* Camera-on-stalk design adds versatility (and makes it look kind of cute)
* Includes microphone
* Video and audio okay - if not special
* Works with Skype
* Included security app surprising good
* Works with USB 1.1
* Camera-on-stalk design adds versatility (and makes it look kind of cute)
Cons
* Installation CD is 8cm,
not full-size, and may not be readable on some CD/DVD drives (even
having an 8cm cut-out is no guarantee)
* Stand needs to be bigger and heavier to help prevent accidental falls
* Problems with close-ups of strongly-coloured clothes
* Supplied capture program is rather ancient
* Some people might not think it's cute looking
* Supplied security app has non-standard interface
* Stand needs to be bigger and heavier to help prevent accidental falls
* Problems with close-ups of strongly-coloured clothes
* Supplied capture program is rather ancient
* Some people might not think it's cute looking
* Supplied security app has non-standard interface
Okay, the MSI StarCam 370i isn't quite cheap as chips but it's miniscule price-tag isn't go to stop anyone buying one if it suits their needs - and, for a lot of potential webcam users, it certainly will do that.
There are things we'd like to see improved but every time we start getting even mildly hot under the collar, we're instantly cooled down by our memory of the price.
But should you buy one? Well, if you want a webcam and this is your first foot in the water, we'd be surprised if the MSI disappointed. Indeed, the same is likely to be true for webcam old-hands. There is, though, one potentially massive sticking point - that 8cm installer CD and the distinct possibility that it won't be readable in your CD or DVD drives.
If that turns out to be the case, we'd hope and expect that the reseller you buy from will help out by supplying a version on a 12cm CD-R disc. Failing that, give a shout in the very friendly HEXUS.community where, we're sure, help will be forthcoming.
Someone somewhere must be making money on the MSI StarCam 370i but for the life of us we can't think who that can be. This is a product that costs little more than a couple of pints and a pie and is worth a good deal more than the asking price.
As for pants - it's very far from being pants. So if you fancy one, or a pair or even triplets, we'd suggest you treat yourself as soon as possible - before it's realised that there's been a mistake in the price-setting.
HEXUS Awards
It's hard to think of a single product we've seen or heard of that comes close to the MSI StarCam 370i in terms of value for money. So, naturally, we're giving it a Good Value award. Truth is, we'd like to have given it one with brass knobs on. As for recommending it - we're more than comfortable doing that - so it gets a second award, as well.
Thoughts on this review? Share them with us over in the HEXUS.community.
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community - discussion thread about this review
HEXUS.community - free delivery from SCAN
SCAN Computers - buying link to MSI StarCam 370i
MSI UK - home page for StarCam 370i
AMCap V9.10 download - Noël Danjou site
HEXUS Where2Buy
It's possible that you'll be able to find some online reseller putting out the MSI for less than the price we paid - and if you do, be sure to let us know in the HEXUS.community.Right now, though, the price-setter is SCAN Computers, the more so if you regularly post in the HEXUS.community and are entitled to free deliver from SCAN. This only kicks in on order values over £20 (ex-VAT) - giving you the ideal excuse for getting a second webcam as a suprise for that distant relative or friend you want to see more often.
