Introducing the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

A few days ago you may have heard about a new webcam from Microsoft Hardware that does 720p High Definition widescreen video. Well… meet the new LifeCam Cinema!

The LifeCam Cinema records video at 720p HD in 16:9 widescreen up to 30 frames per second (fps). It uses ClearFrame Technology for smooth, detailed video and has an improved de-noiser. The improved de-noiser reduces image graininess - especially in low light. It also has a faster image-processing technology that keeps video smooth at any resolution. The LifeCam Cinema also has a high-precision glass element lens for much clearer video quality. You know how some webcams have blurry corners in videos? Yeah – not here! Other features include taking 5.0 megapixel stills, a digital noise-canceling microphone, and a flexible attachment base bends to fit on most surfaces (like the top of LCD monitors and notebook screens, or simply on your desk desk).

Through the LifeCam 3.0 software (which can be downloaded here), LifeCam Cinema users will enjoy integration with both Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker which was released yesterday. To record video and take still photos with the LifeCam Cinema, you will need the LifeCam software installed. After recording a video, you can quickly launch Windows Live Movie Maker to edit that video and share with friends and family online. Using Windows Live Movie Maker, you can add transitions and other animations to videos recorded with the LifeCam Cinema as well as music, captions and more. When taking still photos, you can view those photos in Windows Live Photo Gallery and edit and add tags.

The LifeCam Cinema will be available starting in September 2009 for an estimated retail price of $79.95 (U.S.).

For more information on the LifeCam Cinema, click here for the press release.

I am currently giving the LifeCam Cinema a spin myself – courtesy of Microsoft Hardware. Expect to see some movies created with the LifeCam Cinema and edited with Windows Live Movie Maker in the very near future.

Tags: Announcement, Windows Live, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Digital Media, HD, Microsoft Hardware, Digital Memories, Video, HD Video, Microsoft LifeCam, Windows Live Movie Maker, LifeCam Cinema, Widescreen

dovella

303 Posts

right now that I bought the webacm vx 7000 :(

August 20, 2009
newscientist2000

595 Posts

Looks nice, webcam technology is really becoming very mainstream. With most new netbooks and laptops having a built in camera its easy to see that video communication is on the rise. Hopefully someday large TVs will have internet and camera functionality built in as that would really make video conferencing a whole lot easier.

Maybe if Microsoft makes a new Xbox 360 with built in fast Wifi and with Project Natal new camera a connected high quality video experience may be closer than we think. (you guys really need a new 360, although with the Economy like it is I could understand if that waited till 2010).

I love Windows and PCs but this technology really needs to get into the living room where it can shine.

August 20, 2009
7flavor

352 Posts

I am very satisfied with Microsoft webcam products. 3 year warranty and a great feature set. My only wish is lots more cool dashboard effects like Photo Booth (Mac OS X).

August 26, 2009
hpka

1 Posts

Looking forward to this a lot. Fallen out of love with Logitech after seeing what their driver software tries to force on you so going to give a Microsoft Hardware webcam a go based on the strength of it's mice/keyboards. Mostly to be used for video confrencing with the UK (mostly family but could be others) by whatever means takes my fancy.

Where can I pre-order one in Canada?

August 28, 2009
mc505afm

4 Posts

Nice camera.

Any idea when somone from Microsoft will fix the drivers for Windows 7 64bit?

November 05, 2009
Brandon LeBlanc

2,158 Posts

mc505afm, could you elaborate on what you mean "fix the drivers for Windows 7 64bit"? I am using the LifeCam Cinema on 3 Windows 7 64-bit PCs without any issue.

November 08, 2009
mc505afm

4 Posts

Hi,

i have a lifecam cinema on windows 7 64bit and the audio works but not the video. I get a 'initialization error' when the lifecam 3.0 software starts. Tried all the suggested fixes in the read me without success. So i assume this is a driver issue.

December 16, 2009
mc505afm

4 Posts

Hi,

I have resolved the problem myself. The issue is related to the installation software not fully updating the registry when it runs.

Here is how I resolved the problem:

1. Open regedit

2. Open the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F}

3. Add a new multi-string value to the key called UpperFilters give this a value of ksthunk. This registry key is required by the software but is not always created by the installation routine.

For some reason the driver installation does not correctly update this registry key when the camera software drivers are installed.

Perhaps you could pass this solution on the driver development team for inclusion in a future driver release.

Simon

January 24, 2010
mc505afm

4 Posts

Hi,

I have resolved the problem myself. The issue is related to the installation software not fully updating the registry when it runs.

Here is how I resolved the problem:

1. Open regedit

2. Open the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F}

3. Add a new multi-string value to the key called UpperFilters give this a value of ksthunk. This registry key is required by the software but not always created by the installation routine.

For some reason the driver installation does not correctly update this registry key when the camera software drivers are installed.

Perhaps you could pass this solution on the driver development team for inclusion in a future driver release.

Simon

January 24, 2010

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