Introducing the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

[z3r010]

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.

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More...

 

[Lee]

Guess someone should say thank you for the information. So, Thank You, this just might be the toy for the new GMail.

 

[zone23]

Did you ever wonder how it can be 720P and record at 30fps? I mean 720P is 60fps, just doesn't make sense. Can't have it both ways it has to record at 60fps to be 720P.

 

[Joshatdot]

Did you ever wonder how it can be 720P and record at 30fps? I mean 720P is 60fps, just doesn't make sense. Can't have it both ways it has to record at 60fps to be 720P.

From Wikipedia

"720p has a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, a vertical resolution of 720 pixels and a horizontal resolution of 1280 pixels, or 1280x720, for a total of 921,600 pixels. The frame rate (in this case equal to the refresh rate) can be either implied by the context or specified in hertz after the letter p. The five 720p frame rates in common use are 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 Hz (or frame/s). In general, traditional PAL and SECAM countries (Europe, Australia, much of Asia, Africa, and parts of South America) are or will be using the p25 and p50 frame or field rates, whereas traditional NTSC countries (North and Central America, Japan, South Korea, Philippines) are using p24 (for movies), and p60 for high motion programming. All variants can be transported by both major digital television formats, ATSC and DVB. Newer displays have 720p, but have a native resolution higher or lower than a native 1280×720 resolution. This is because it helps cut manufacturing costs."

 

[Fliplip]

Did you ever wonder how it can be 720P and record at 30fps? I mean 720P is 60fps, just doesn't make sense. Can't have it both ways it has to record at 60fps to be 720P.

My PAL Panasonic TZ7 records at 25fps, outputs at 50fps and is 720P.
Guess im one of the lucky ones and get to have both.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Looks good, may get one in the future. Not that I truly desperately need it. =P

 

[zone23]

Doesn't seem that great to me since P = Progressive its scanning two lines at a time at 15 fps. Thats great except blue ray will do 720P or 60 fps or 1080i at 30 fsp. Blue Ray will pump out two lines at a time @ 30 fps. Blue Ray would have twice as main lines per second. So to say its 720P to me seems a little miss leading its only half the frame rate of a blue ray. I'm not saying it wont have a great picture, if it recorded at 720P 60 fps it would be much better.

Who cares anyway, thanks for the info.

 

[lvq684]

Programming development with the Cinemacam

Hi.

I am going to write an application for my bachelor project which uses HD live feed streaming (C#). And i have this webcam in sight (there really arent any other alternatives at this moment). My question is just, if it is possible to receive-and-decode the feed to the cpu with the right compression tools, and of course de-code it again, without the use of lifecam software. I dont have any insight knowledgde in this area, so any help and tips are very appreciated!

Thanks alot

 

[sqlagentman]

LifeCam Cinema on Windows 7

Hello,

Issue: can not take a still image photo:

everything works with the camera except taking a photo. a still photo that is.

I can record sound, record video, IM etc. but not take a photo.

taking a still photo with the camera software works on Win_XP pro but not windows 7.

does anyone know why? does it need some other installed software? Please direct me.

Thank you,

Sql

 

[Bushman5]

^ are you shooting video while trying to take the still photos? stop video shooting and you will be able to take pics....

hope this helps???

 

[mhasanbulli]

Isn't this article old? I mean all the links are directed to blog entries in August 2009 :sarc:

 

[Gornot]

I applause the members trying to help, but seriously, I have seen tons of resurrected old topic for no good reason. if a person seriously needs help, they usually bump it if nobody replies.

 

[dgwin7]

New Version now 3.50 at website easy to find it and download from there also No update for firmware

dg