Not a great concern for high-performance machines, but the HD-5000 can take its toll on lesser systems. Exactly how CPU-intensive can a webcam be? Whilst capturing 720p (1,280x720) video, we found CPU usage rose to around the 15 per cent mark on an ultra-high-end Core i7 975 processor. The minimum system requirements include an Intel dual-core 1.6GHz processor and at least 1GB of RAM, but Microsoft actually recommends at least a 3.0GHz dual-core chip or better. Without the built-in hardware, Microsoft's budget HD cam instead relies on the user's PC to carry out most of the leg work. Users of the latter, however, won't be able to make use of the LifeCam's HD resolution for video calls as Skype requires HD webcams that are fitted with an on-board video encoder.
The HD-5000 is "optimised" for use with Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger - hence the dedicated Messenger Call button that sadly can't be programmed to another app - but will function with other messenger clients such as Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Skype.
Run the bundled Microsoft software CD, install the LifeCam software, attach the webcam and you're done. A shame, considering that the device itself is small, light and portable.Ĭonnected via a standard USB 2.0 cable that's long enough to reach most monitors, the HD-5000 is very straightforward to configure. It's perfectly stable when attached to a thick desktop monitor or left to rest on a flat surface, but the camera doesn't sit well on a thin notebook display. It isn't the most elegant design we've ever seen, and the bendy rubber mount can feel a little cumbersome. Instead, the camera is housed in a simple plastic frame from which extends an adjustable rubber mount. A healthy specification for a mid-range webcam, and it's available at a budget price of just £19.99.ĭesigned to offer a cheap-and-cheerful upgrade path, the HD-5000 - unlike others in the LifeCam range - doesn't feature a high-precision glass element lens or an aluminium body. Launched as one of the latest desktop cameras to tout high-definition video capture, the new addition to the LifeCam range provides a 720p HD sensor with auto focus, Microsoft TrueColor Technology, 4x digital zoom and an integrated noise-canceling microphone.
Microsoft has 10 unique webcams available as part of its ever-expanding LifeCam range, but few of them combine features, performance and price as well as the LifeCam HD-5000.
0 kommentar(er)
