| Microsoft LifeCam Cinema | 
| Brand: Microsoft
Category: CE
List Price: $79.95
Buy New: $45.89
as of 7/29/2010 14:27 EDT details
You Save: $34.06 (43%)
New (40) Used (3) Refurbished (1) from $38.49
Seller: steiner@knightsystems.com
Rating:  291 reviews
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Operating System: Windows
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 2.5 x 8
Warranty: 3 years warranty
MPN: H5D-00001
Model: H5D-00001
UPC: 882224897921
EAN: 0882224897921
ASIN: B002MCZJ78
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 720p HD Widescreen Video | | • | Auto Focus | | • | High-precision glass element lens | | • | ClearFrame Technology for smooth, detailed video | | • | Digital, noise-canceling microphone o |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema WebCam from Microsoft is a compact USB 2.0 camera with a high-quality glass lens. The autofocus camera can capture 720p HD widescreen video at a fluid 30 frames per second. It uses ClearFrame technology to enhance video recorded in poorly-lit environments and features an integrated digital microphone for audio capture.The camera's body is constructed from aluminum, which reduces its weight while at the same time improving its durability. A flexible stand is included, allowing you to position the camera with ease. The Windows Live Call button allows you to launch your favorite chat software with ease.The bundled software allows you to apply fun video effects, create your own movies and upload still photos to the web. The camera is compatible with many popular IM clients, including Windows Live, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Skype..
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 291
 Excellent Hardware, Lackluster Software October 7, 2009
Brian Geisel (Shrewsbury, MA USA)
436 out of 460 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1EN44PBAXWTNV Summary: It's a great product, but the software is lacking. It does require a lot of processing power to produce decent videos, so do everything you can to let the capture software have all of the processing power.
For reference, I was using an AMD Athlon 64 XP Dual Core 6400+ CPU with 4GB of RAM when recording this video. I am running the software on a Windows XP 32-bit machine.
This video was recorded with minimal software interference, but I'm also happy with the quality of the processing for low-light conditions. In this case, I was looking to get the best motion performance, so I turned off all of the auto features in order to get the best picture with the light I was using.
As you will hear in the video, the built-in microphone isn't terrible, but it does have a pretty high noise floor. That is fine if you're using Skype, but lousy if you are trying to record higher quality videos. In this video, I used the Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone (except for the built-in mic demo).
All in all, it's a great webcam for producing online videos. If you don't have external software, or don't have a top of the line computer, there may be a webcam that does what you need without so much hassle. For high quality stuff, this may well be the best hardware on the market.
A great alternative to Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 September 25, 2009
THATCH (OHIO)
113 out of 119 found this review helpful
I'm a big Skype user and have used the QuickCam Pro 9000 for quite some time. While Skype doesn't recognize this Microsoft cam as an "HQ" cam (or at least not yet, if ever), I have found that this cam excels as compared to the QuickCam Pro 9000 in three ways:
1. This cam produces much richer colors. Some may say it borderlines oversaturated or "technicolor" but I really enjoy the brilliance of the colors
2. Low light conditions keep rich and bright color. I find with the QuickCam it loses contrast to brighten up the picture.
3. Launch time. I find with the Quickcam Pro 9000 the "ramp up/turn on" time is undesirably long when receiving an auto answer Skype call. This cam is ready to go immediately.
As far as focusing goes, both the QickCam Pro 9000 and this cam aren't great at it in dark lighting conditions.
The widescreen view is a really nice change from the normal 4:3 perspective. It really helps show your surroundings more and give a better feel to where you are.
Installation was easy, and the cam itself seems far smaller than I was expecting.
Under some conditions Skype callers on the receiving end prefer this video over the HQ Skype capable Quickcam Pro 9000. In some cases they prefer the Quickcam.
I saw that some people mentioned the high hardware requirements so I wanted to let you know what I'm using it on:
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
Core i7 2.66
3 GB memory
I'm not going to outright say that this is a better webcam than the QuickCam Pro 9000 but it definitely gives it a run for it's money, and offers a few unique features that the QuickCam Pro 9000 does not, all in a smaller more attractive cam size & style.
---update--
After several months of use, I have found that I'm using this cam more than the Logitech Quick Cam 9000. They're both equal in stature in my mind, but this one is better at low light use. I often Skype at night when the room is comfortably dim, so this has become my preferred camera. Even though it's not listed as an HQ cam for Skype, it still provides better overall performance for the way I use it.
Good in very low light September 30, 2009
Bay Hunter
56 out of 60 found this review helpful
I like the Lifecam Cinema webcam because it is the best webcam in very low light. With only the computer and TV on at night, the Lifecam Cinema webcam produces a viewable video for chat. In this same light settings, the Quickcam Pro9000s video is all black.
In better light conditions, the Lifecam cinema will produce a good video with good color.
This camera will focus as close as 1 inch. Good to play around with as a microscope, but a hassle everytime it does an autofocus. I turn off autofocus most of the time.
People mentioned that this camera takes a powerful CPU. It only uses a lot of CPU power when you turn on the video effects, such as modifing the eyes, nose, face, and others.
Linux Compatible! October 21, 2009
Phillip Eric Montgomery
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
Yes that's right! Linux Compatible!!!
I plugged this camera into my Fedora Core 11 machine (praying all the while) and was amazed that it was not only recognized immediately, but that it provided a stunning picture in Camorama, Cheese, and Skype. Not configuration needed. It was true plug and play!
Hot to Get HD on Skype With This Cam March 12, 2010
C. Williams (Pullman, WA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I found this on another website: For HD on Skype using this webcam,you must use Skype version 4.10.166 or later and install the free utility "Force Skype HQ", and then manually change the resolution using this program to 1280 x720.
[...].
Showing reviews 1-5 of 291
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