Samsung VG-STC4000 Webcam

This "TV cam" fits very well with my new Samsung Smart TV, the styling is subtle as it's sitting atop the screen and the forward facing part is probably about as slim as they could make it. The simple hinge design secures it to the set more than some may imagine (I don't tend to wave my TV around the room much though) and it does come with a neat sticky pad you can clip to the cable and then stick to the back of the TV to limit any drop that may occur. The picture quality seems excellent and the face tracking is very accurate considering the twin microphones are relatively close to together and me and my girlfriend sit next to each when video calling, it never just wonders off but does a good mixture of close up shots and pulled out wider shots as appropriate to whoever's talking at the time. It's also easy to turn the feature off if desired. I also like the simple privacy slide over the lens, but that's just me.

Camera arrived yesterday, plugged in works immediately. These are not easy to find in shops and buying on-line is probably the best option. A couple of hopefully useful points for potential buyers: this is not going to give you HD quality pictures, there are very few options on the settings, basically autofocus and zoom but if you fiddle around you get a decent result, as others have said make sure you plug this into to the specific "camera" usb slot on your TV and remember to open the sliding lens cover on the camera. Skyped my son in Florida from UK and he says the sound quality and picture is good. This does give a good wide angle capture, so the family can all sit on the sofa together to Skype. This is very expensive for what it is, there is a newer version which is cheaper (by about £25) but shipped from outside the UK. I don't understand why this older version is more expensive? Be careful and check your TV compatibility. My TV is the "UE48H6400AKXXU version 02" Good luck if you do this using Samsung customer support as the answer seems to be dependant on the operator and method of contact, I initially emailed them but still had no answer after 24 hours so I then phoned and was told by the operator that only this version would work on my TV and not the newer cheaper version? This was a bit odd but went ahead and ordered this. I then received an email response from my earlier enquiry regarding the STC5000 (new version) saying that it "should work with my TV" but with a caveat that I should check this with my retailer? eh? its a Samsung product for a Samsung product and Samsung cannot give a definitive answer?

Vastly better than the earlier model, the ability to use a zoom function is impressive and the wider picture view is a boon.

I have a UE32F5500 and was a bit unsure whether this model would be compatible with the Skype App. The stated compatible version is STC2000/STC3000 but these can be a be pricey to come by now. I emailed Samsung who said it was, but also said the 4000 was a US model and wasn't for sale in the UK! Anyway, the camera came from amazon.co.uk, and works well. Picture is good on the Skype App. Since the compatible question seems to be a common theme, I'll quote from the instruction manual as to compatibility: Year of Release LED models 2013 F7100, F6900-F6200, F5700, F5500, F5400, F5300, F4500 2014 HU8550-HU6900, H8000-H6300, H6270, H6200, H5600-H5500, H4500 Plus 2013 PDP (plasma) model F5500 "The motion control function is only work on over the 2014 H7000 series". -- That's what the manual says, so hasn't been well grammar checked! [there is no mention of sizes in the manual for the screen sizes of compatible models] So there you go. You probably do want to check with Samsung first though if you're in anyway unsure. You have to break seals on the box and inner packaging to get to the camera, so if it doesn't work you can't easily return it. Worth it in the end if you have a compatible TV though.

Skype removed from Samsung TV Apps (Microsoft decision as far as I am aware) This ONLY works on my Samsung TV TV (not a PC or MAC) So now useless as there appears to be not PC or MAC driver to all reuse as a webcam Shame on you Microsoft for pulling Skype (especially after spending so much of your shareholders cash on it) and Shame on you Samsung for creating a camera that cannot be reused. If there is a change to this please comment, for the foreseeable my comments stand.

Nothing special about this camera. It works with Skype on my Samsung TV, nothing else. The picture quality is mediocre and should be much, much better for the price. Skype on TV is a good idea but it is still fairly clunky and not as smooth and enjoyable experiences as it should be. If this product was £30 it would be okay but still not brilliant. Save your money and buy a £30 HD camera for your laptop or PC instead, you will be far more pleased with the outcome. The only reason this is so expensive if because you cant buy or use any other camera on your Samsung TV (other than other models of Samsung TV Cameras). They have a stranglehold, preventing competition, so they can charge what they like. All TV companies do it. They (TV manufacturers) used to do the same with WiFi dongles and that used to be a good money spinner for them too (not so much now all the competition has WiFi built in). Its unfair practice and they are overcharging for an inferior product basically. Most £10 laptop cameras area as good or better than this. . Shame, should have been so much more.

I twas a very good camera the only downside is Samsung has now discontinued the use of the camera I now have a camera I cant use thanks very much Samsung

I bought this on a punt, to see whether it would allow Motion Control on a 2014 Samsung UE50H6400 (the e-Manual on the TV itself certainly talks about Motion Control and the Camera widget / app told me that this camera is definitely compatible with the TV). However, it does not allow Motion Control - this option remains unavailable. Nothing wrong with the product itself, the price or the delivery aspects - I just hoped for the enablement of Motion Control (due to conflicting research I had carried out) and this is not possible. I am sure it will still be a good camera for Skype and the Fitness app.. I was not banking on Motion Control being allowed, I just hoped for it, so I cannot give the product fewer stars than what it deserves... the quality of the camera is not excellent, it's OK, quite grainy and you can't seem to do things like zoom or anything like that... also I think it sits quite precariously on the back of the TV, although there is a sticky pad on the USB cable to help hold it into place.