Webcams have been around for some time and they are now emerging as a truly accessible and useful device. The Creative WebCam Go connects via a USB port, upon which Windows will prompt you to install the drivers. Following the steps provided in the manual the process should occur without any hiccups. The WebCam Go Control interface is simple and intuitive to use; with a default resolution of 320 x 240 and JPEG colour, the Control proceeds to display the view that the camera is facing. There are many display options to play with, including 16 and 24-bit RGB colour, with display resolutions ranging from 160 x 120 to 640 x 480. Other configurable options include colour saturation and balance & contrast, allowing the user to tailor the image that the WebCam Go is receiving according to the environmental conditions.

Tested on a Pentium III/500 machine with a current 2D/3D video card, the default image was quite grainy but nonetheless impressive, displaying a solid level of detail and colour. The refresh rate averaged around the 25 frames per second (fps) mark, smoothly capturing the motion in its field of view with barely perceptible lag. Bumping up the colour to the 24-bit RGB setting produced a noticeable change in colour depth, lending the image a sightly more detailed feel and definition without adversely affecting the refresh rate. However, upon increasing the image resolution to the maximum of 640 x 480, the refresh took a hefty hit, dropping to around 12-14fps. At this rate the refresh is definitely visible, and the user will notice how the image lags slightly behind the movements that it captures. However, for the purposes of videoconferencing the motion of the image is still very coherent and therefore quite acceptable.

The live WebCam display can be captured and recorded in AVI format, along with still shots, which are archived within the built-in photo album. Combined with the microphone bundled in the retail package, the Go Control is also capable of capturing audio, allowing the user to indulge in filming humble digital video clips.

In conjunction with Microsoft Net Meeting (version 2.1 included with the software), the WebCam Go turns into a powerful videoconferencing tool, which is essentially its primary purpose. Videoconferencing will be increasingly ubiquitous over the Internet in the near future as broadband access becomes more common. The WebCam Go thus offers the user an entry into this emerging form of communication. Although this does not differ from what other Web cameras are designed to do, it's the WebCam Go's high image quality combined with some innovative features which distinguish it from other webcams.

The WebCam Monitor software turns the WebCam Go into a motion detection device. It can sit idle until activated by motion occuring in its field of view, and can be set up to give an audible alarm through the computer it's connected to or record and log the activity captured. Perhaps the most impressive feature of this camera is its ability to double as a stand alone digital camera, offering the user 4Mb of memory to store in excess of 72 images at 640 x 480, which can then be downloaded to the host machine and functions via an LCD display on its back.

Considering these features, the WebCam Go is quite an impressive little device. At $319, you certainly pay for it, but its versatility is undeniable.