Microsoft to release HD-webcam

Though webcams haven't changed much in recent times, Microsoft intends to change this with its new LifeCam Cinema. The manufacturer claims that its new webcam is the first consumer market webcam supporting 720p HD-video with 30 FPS. Earlier models claiming to do HD stopped at 960 x 720 pixels, which isn't officially an HD-resolution.

The LifeCam Cinema records up to 30 FPS at a resolution of 1280 x 720. The device is equipped with a glass lens that has auto-focusing, 4x digital zoom and a noise-cancelling microphone on top. Microsoft has also implemented its ClearFrame technology, to make recordings more smooth and detailed.

Microsoft's LifeCam Cinema has an aluminum chassis and its stand is compatible with both desktops and notebooks. The webcam is connected by means of a USB 2.0 connector. Apart from Windows Live Messenger, the webcam can also be used for Movie Maker and Photo Gallery. The webcam supports Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, if the system requirements are met, that is. The webcam reportedly requires a 1,6 GHz dualcore processor and 1 GB of RAM, though Microsoft recommends using a 3 GHz dualcore CPU, 2 GB of memory and  1,5 GB hard disk space. It's clear that these requirements are significantly greater than those of a conventional webcam.

It's expected that Microsoft will officially launch its LifeCam Cinema on the 9th of September.

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