A LifeCam HD-3000 webcam sitting on top of a monitor

The LifeCam is a lineup of webcams from Microsoft for PC users marketed since 2006. Various models and series of webcams are designed for either laptops or desktops.

VX Series

LifeCam VX-3000

History

The VX series of Microsoft LifeCam debuted on 13 June 2006,[1] and were available for sale in August 2006, as Microsoft's first entry into selling webcams, with only two models, the VX-3000 and VX-6000. One of the exclusive features include the integration with Windows Live Messenger, by having a Windows Live Call button that can be used to easily initiate a video call.

These models both feature a similar round body design, with a round base, known as the Universal Attachment Base.

The entire series was designed for desktop use, as it used a base for attaching it to a desktop monitor. All webcams of this series interface via USB.

LifeCam VX-1000

Specifications

Model Released Video Resolution Image Sensor Built in Microphone Remarks
VX-500 2008 May[2] 640 x 480 0.3 MP No
VX-700 2008 Aug[3] 640 x 480 0.3 MP Yes Seems to be available in selected markets only.
VX-800[4] Japan - 2009 Sept[5]

Spain - 2009 Oct[6]

International - 2011[7][8]

640 x 480 0.3 MP Yes Part Number JSD-00007,

was released in 2011, while

JSD-00014 was released a year later.

VX-1000[9] 2006 Sept[10] 640 x 480 0.3 MP Yes Universal attachment base
VX-2000 2009 May[11] 640 x 480 1.3 MP Yes
VX-3000 2006 June[1] 640 x 480 1.3 MP Yes Automatic face tracking software

Universal attachment base

Pan, tilt and zoom

VX-5000[12] 2008 May[2] 640 x 480 1.3 MP Yes Flexible Stand

Available in three colour variants:

  • Fire Red
  • Cool Blue
  • Lucky Green
VX-5500 2008 Sept[13] 640 x 480 1.3 MP Yes Swappable plastic front covers

(in white, blue and red)

VX-6000[14] 2006 June[1] 1280 x 1024 1.3 MP

(5.0MP Interpolated)

Yes Wide-angle lens

No Automatic face tracking software

Universal attachment base

Pan, tilt and zoom

VX-7000 2007 Sept[15] 1600 x 1200 2.0 MP

(7.6 MP Interpolated)

Yes

NX Series

All webcams of the NX series are designed for notebooks and interfaces via USB 2.0.

Specifications

Model Released Life Call Button Rated Actuations Field of View Video Resolution Image Sensor Built in Microphone Remarks
NX-3000[16] 2007 Sept[15] 5,000 55° Diagonal 640 x 480 (0.3MP) 0.3MP

1.3MP Interpolated

Yes Face-tracking, digital pan, tilt, and 3x zoom

are not available for 640 x 480 video capture.

NX-6000[17] 2006 Sept[18] 10,000 71° Diagonal 1600 x 1190 (2.0MP) CMOS 2.0MP

7.6MP Interpolated

Yes Face-tracking, digital pan, tilt, and 3x zoom are not available for 640 x 480 video capture.

LifeCam Show

LifeCam Cinema

LifeCam Cinema

LifeCam Studio

HD Series

LifeCam HD-5000

These series debuted in March 2010 and uses Microsoft's TrueColor technology for improved color balance. They all have 720p HD video resolution and have built-in microphones.[24]

Specifications

Model Released Video Resolution Image Sensor Auto focus Remarks
HD-3000 2011 Feb 1280 x 720 4 MP No Lacks video effects.
HD-5000 2010 Mar 1280 x 720 4 MP Yes
HD-5001 2010 Mar 1280 x 720 4 MP Yes Best Buy exclusive
HD-6000 2010 May 1280 x 720 4 MP Yes Designed for notebook users.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Microsoft Hardware Advances Digital Communications Experiences: First webcams from Microsoft make seeing, hearing and sharing a breeze". Microsoft. 2006-06-13. Archived from the original on 2006-06-16. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  2. ^ a b "New Microsoft LifeCam Bends Over Backward for You". Microsoft. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  3. ^ Dubey, Krati (2008-08-28). "Microsoft LifeCam VX-700 Webcam Launched in India". TechShout. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  4. ^ "LifeCam VX-800 Technical Data Sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  5. ^ "マイクロソフト、厚さ13mmのBluetooth対応モバイルキーボードとウェブカメラなど発売". CNET Japan (in Japanese). 2009-09-29. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  6. ^ Penalva, Javier (2009-10-17). "LifeCam VX-800 de Microsoft, sencilla y asequible". Xataka (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  7. ^ There is no known official press release by Microsoft for this product. This approximation for international sales is done by factoring first archive date of US website, and Amazon's first availability date of 5 Apr 2011.
  8. ^ "Microsoft Webcam: LifeCam VX-800". Microsoft. 2011-06-24. Archived from the original on 2011-06-24. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  9. ^ "LifeCam VX-1000". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  10. ^ "Microsoft Expands Digital Communications Line With Notebook LifeCam Featuring Industry's Highest Video and Still Resolution". Microsoft. 2006-09-13. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  11. ^ "Microsoft LifeCam VX-2000: Share Life at a Price That's Right". Microsoft. 2009-05-19. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  12. ^ "LifeCam VX-5000". Microsoft. 2010-02-03. Archived from the original on 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  13. ^ "Microsoft's Latest LifeCams Bring Life to Video Calls With Versatile New Designs". Microsoft. 2008-09-09. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  14. ^ "LifeCam VX-6000". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  15. ^ a b "Microsoft Hardware Kicks Off 25th Year with Pioneering New LifeCams and Notebook Mice". Microsoft. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  16. ^ "Microsoft Internet Communications – LifeCam NX-3000". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2008-03-05. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  17. ^ "Microsoft Internet Communications – LifeCam NX-6000". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  18. ^ "Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 Has 2-megapixel Video Resolution". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  19. ^ OmniVision Brings True 720p HD Video to Microsoft's New Flagship Webcam, Press Release from 5. October 2009
  20. ^ Technical Data Sheet for Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
  21. ^ "Action! LifeCam Cinema Introduces 720p HD Widescreen Video". 20 August 2009.
  22. ^ Presentation of the Microsoft LifeCam Studio
  23. ^ Technical Data Sheet for Microsoft LifeCam Studio
  24. ^ "Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000, HD-5001 and HD-6000 webcams get TrueColor auto-balance". 16 March 2010.

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