Review on 🎥 Enhance Your Video Experience with the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema by Kendrick Dooley

THIS IS MY first Microsoft webcam based on the long history of Logitech cameras. My last camera was a 2MP Logitech C905/QuickCam Pro handheld webcam for laptops and before that a Quickcam 4000. I also had an archaic Logitech camera in the late 90's but they were ALL crap back then. It's VERY obvious that Microsoft had good people working on it. The camera is much smaller than I expected. Viewed from above, the cylindrical body is only a hair more than a quarter in diameter. It's just over two inches long, has a minimalist look, with an unobtrusive gooseneck, a microphone on top, and a Windows Live call button on top. Aluminum casing. The MOST IMPORTANT part of any camera is the lens. This is the first webcam I've seen with a light trap around the lens. This ladder-like feature has the lens recessed slightly into the camera to absorb stray light. While Microsoft doesn't claim to have "Carl-Zeiss" optics like Logitech, I believe it's actually a top-of-the-line lens. There is also a protective glass on the front panel that protects the lens from dirt and fingers. The PICTURE QUALITY of this camera is simply outstanding. Autofocus is fast and intelligent, True Color + Clear Frame technology really makes a difference in video quality on Skype calls. It's pretty good in low light, but I lit myself up pretty well with a front light and an over-the-shoulder spotlight, which contrasts with my shoulders and adds shine to my hair. The color is accurate. My only complaint is manually manipulating the camera settings, the "True Color + Clear Frame" technology should be disabled. The first time I used it, I encountered an unbearable problem with the autofocus, but updating the firmware fixed that (see uploading to YouTube. There are many "face" overlays that I think work better than Logitech. The size of the application window can't be changed to order you Got a default window size and that's it No matter how big it opens on your screen that's what you get stuck on It resizes when you change the resolution You can't put the mic on switch the built-in microphone Forget about using your own microphone when recording with LifeCam software or making a Skype video call It's not a big deal as the built-in microphone is fine I found the sound quality perfect for my YouTube and Skype RESOURCES : Not sure if this applies to other 720p HD webcams, but the live video processing from the camera at 1 280 x 720 then takes 30% of my CPU just to have the video idle there and 75% of my CPU for the capture. in HD 720p. I have a Core 2 Duo E8400 (3GHz). Your machine should be pretty fat processor wise. They're not kidding when they recommend dual-core 3GHz. A NOTICE about VIDEO CALLS and PERMISSION. Most video calling services (e.g. Skype) limit the resolution to 640 x 480. You will not make HD video calls to grandma using a free video calling service and your regular broadband internet at home. The bandwidth required for HD video is phenomenal. FIRMWARE UPDATE: Microsoft has released a firmware update for the LifeCam that fixes several issues including the tricky autofocus. After the update, the autofocus was tamed and works as it should. [.] MY APPLE MAC friends are insanely jealous of my webcam skills with LifeCam Cinema. Built-in webcams are handy and sparse, but nothing like that. Not sure about UVC compatibility, but Microsoft would be smart to port it to the Mac and sell it to the Apple crowd. Even the most dedicated Apple user will have a hard time turning down this Microsoft product. I should also add a video rating but not now.