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Microsoft LifeCam Cinema 720p, first HD webcam to crank out 30fps
Now that Internet service providers are showing signs of opening up more upload bandwidth, maybe now webcams will finally find their way into mainstream acceptance. Microsoft will be doing its part when on September 9th it rolls out this gorgeous LifeCam Cinema 720p, the first consumer webcam to support 720p video at 30 frames per second.
Microsoft gives you a lot for your $80, including an autofocusing glass lens, noise-canceling mic and sturdy aluminum construction. Now all we need to do is get Skype to catch up to this high standard and start allowing 720p/30 webcams on its network.
For now, Microsoft says this LifeCam Cinema is compatible with Windows Live Messenger (as well as Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery), so maybe we can get used to that instead of Skype for now. That said, the days of commonplace 720p/30 webcam conversations are coming, and the future is looking sharp. Take another couple of peeks at this glamorous cam:
Pocket Lint, via Gizmodo
By kmiahali at 12:46 PM ON 08/18/09
wow! The Microsoft HD webcam looks really nice and if it performs as good as they say it does, then it might be woth getting!
By John Hentges at 3:40 PM ON 08/18/09
Actually, I bought the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 and it is natively 1600x1200, and supports 720p at 30fps (under optimal lighting conditions)
It also has numerous advanced features, like face tracking: it will pan the image to follow you face as you move around, or even frame more than one face if you've got a friend next to you.
Microsoft isn't the first. Just the biggest PR department.
By videotest at 7:04 PM ON 08/22/09
No..the Quickcam Pro 9000 does not do 720p@30fps. First, it depends on which mode, YUY2 or MJPEG. In YUY2 it can do 960x720@10fps or 1600x1200@5fps. In MJPEG mode, it can do 960x720@15fps.
By Electric Jiggalo at 2:03 AM ON 08/30/09
Actually my Quickcam Pro 9000 does do 1280x720...BUT at only 15fps using Logitechs software from their website. It's a GREAT cam, but i'm DEFINATELY looking forward to this one. ;)
By Vini at 11:23 PM ON 09/02/09
Does this camera work with Skype at all?
It is saying here that it is not compatible, not compatible to do HD or not at all?
By moi at 11:43 PM ON 10/13/09
This camera works on skype, msn and yahoo,
By marty at 6:00 AM ON 10/15/09
The Lifecam HD does NOT support 720p at 30 fps, at least not on my machine (Win7,quad core, SSD and 4GB RAM)
In AMCap and DirectShow it only shows up as 15 fps for 720p, the 30fps is for lower resolutions. Even the Lifecam software is only able to produce 720p at 15fps.
By Wilson at 12:08 AM ON 10/23/09
Does it based on USB 2.0? 720p 30fps will need 632MBps bandwidth at least, as I know, it is not supported by USB 2.0!
By klausjp at 10:53 PM ON 10/24/09
now we only need a video confercence in Messenger [more then one on one]
By figgot at 4:10 PM ON 11/02/09
Errrrr....How is that going to clip on my 24@ screen??
The bottom of the clip looks like it it comes back under too far,unless its very flexible.
One thing that annoys me is LCD screens have very different frames on them between brands and its often hard to get a webcam clip to fit on.
By Ncu at 7:42 AM ON 11/16/09
I am also having trouble getting this cam to output more than 10fps at 1280x720.
Even if the LifeCam software writes wmv files with the meta data saying 15 fps, playing back the video in Media Player Classic shows up the real fps which is only 10fps.
Theoretically it is possible. With a color depth of 16bits/pixel you need 442Mbits/s (USB 2.0 tops at 480Mbits/s)
By Sat at 12:01 PM ON 12/29/09
There is a webcam that is doing 1280x720p at 30fps, it's the Hercules Dualpix HD720.
As far as I know it's the only webcam on the market that can archieve this fps in 720p
By valentines day gifts at 2:40 AM ON 01/01/10
This webcam is totally worth buying! IT WORKS BEST WITH SKYPE AND OOVOO MY FAMILY IS LOVING THE QUALITY.
on your cellphone!
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valentines day gifts:
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