Webcam recommendation needed

[beachboy]

My mate is looking to buy a webcam for his Dell Latitude laptop running XP. The webcam is to be used to keep in touch with far-flung family members around the world.
Since I am the mug who has to install the webcam and in particular the software I am looking for minimum aggravation as well as the usual picture quality/resolution/value for money.
In short I am looking for the webcam equivalent of the Netgear DG834 router which I can always confidently recommend to others.
All contributions gratefully received.

[tigerboyce]

what sort of price range?

[beachboy]

About £50 max but if there is a much better one available above this price please let me know.
Many thanks.

[tigerboyce]

well this is supposed to be the best webcam out at the minute for the price range so i would suggest having a look into this MS VX-6000

• The LifeCam VX-6000 is optimised for use with Microsoft Windows Live Messanger, so you can share life as it happens
• Integratred Microphone - The built in unidirectional microphone automatically picks up your voice with remarkable clarity - there's no more hassling with separate devices.
• Noise Reduction - Advanced noise-reduction software ensures you'll hear only crisp, natural voices and sounds.
• Windows Live Call Button - Easily start a video chat by pressing the Windows Live Call Button and clicking an Online Contact.
• LifeCam Dashboard - Access special effects and webcam controls-all from the integrated Windows Live Messenger
• window.
• On-Touch Blogging - Post blogs, photo albums and personal music lists to Windows Live Spaces with a click of your mouse.
• Crystal-clear video conversation is now possible with more than 200 million contacts in nearly every country in the world.
• High Definition Clarity - Get high-quality still images, even in low light.
• Pan, Tilt and Zoom - The digital zoom delivers realistic, up-close-and-personal video, and the pan and tilt functions make sure you capture he big picture.
• Automatic Face-Tracking Software - Move around without disappearing from the screen - the LifeCam VX-3000 automatically follows you.
• Hear More - your friends and family as if they were in the room with you.

Quick cam fusion is also a very good webcam too

[beachboy]

Many thanks for the advice tigerboyce. The MS VX-6000 sounds very good indeed from various reviews I have seen.

[beachboy]

Just to update anybody else who is looking for a decent webcam, my pal has ordered the MS VX-6000 from Novatech at the excellent price of £29.99 plus p&p. This price compared very favourably to most other offerings which were in the £45 to £50 price range.