Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam announced
Microsoft plans to launch its latest webcam, the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam, in September 2009.This webcam will be the first consumer webcam to support 720p video at 30fps that is full 1,280×720.
Photo: Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam
The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam comes with a glass lens, auto focus, 4x digital zoom and a digital, noise-cancelling microphone on the top of the camera.
Microsoft has incorporated ClearFrame technology in the webcam, which it claims offers faster image processing to deliver smooth and detailed video output, even in low light conditions, though further details of the feature have not been revealed.
The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam’s widescreen technology feature allows the widest angle of capture ever for a Microsoft webcam, at 74 degrees, the company has said.
“When we started working on LifeCam Cinema almost a year ago, we were motivated by the fact that new computer displays were predominantly widescreen and top social networking sites were allowing widescreen video,” said Stuart Milton, systems engineer for Microsoft Hardware.
The body of the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is built from aluminum. It comes with a flexible stand that can be used with desktop PCs as well as laptops. The webcam connects to the computer via USB 2.0 interface, and has a Windows Live call button behind the microphone.
The Windows Live Call Button allows users to see online contacts and make video calls.
The webcam is compatible with Windows Live messenger, Windows Movie Maker, as well as Windows Photo Gallery. The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema can run on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 OS platform.
The webcam also allows users to add special effects to videos from the Windows Live Messenger window.
The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam is compatible with Windows Live, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, and Skype.
The system requirements for installing this camera are a bit on the higher side requiring a dual core 1.6 GHz processor at the least. Microsoft, though, recommends 3 GHz dual core processor and 2 GB RAM as the optimum configuration.
Also note that the 720p resolution might not work with some video clients and at present it is not clear which application it is compatible with.
The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD webcam is expected to be launched on September 9, 2009, with a price tag of around £69.99 ($79.99 in the US). The webcam will come with a 3-year limited hardware warranty.