Microsoft releases new HD LifeCams

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Posted on 17 Mar 2010 at 11:06

Microsoft has announced a trio of new webcams which bring new image processing features designed to improve colour and brightness in low lighting conditions.

The LifeCam HD-5000, HD-5001, and HD-6000 all feature a 720p HD sensor and auto-focus technology, bringing them a step above the level of your average consumer webcam.

The suggested retail price of $50 (around £33) for the base model might come as a surprise for a HD camera - and doubly so when you take into account Microsoft's bundled TrueColour technology which looks to improve image quality in poor lighting conditions.

The base model, the HD-5000, comes with a flexible base which is designed to sit either on a desk or balance on the top of a monitor or laptop screen. Interestingly, the HD-5001 is not - as the name might suggest - an upgraded version, but rather a custom model for US retailer Best Buy, differing only by the presence of a white faceplate.

The HD-6000, on the other hand, is designed exclusively for laptops, with a base that allows the camera to swivel through 360 degrees to allow laptop users to capture and share anything in their vicinity. The flexibility comes at a cost, however, with the HD-6000 coming in at $10 more than the HD-5000 series - and being equipped with a short USB cable.

If you're an existing LifeCam owner, there's some good news too: the LifeCam Cinema software is to be retrofitted with Microsoft's TrueColour technology via a free software download.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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