Microsoft LifeCam Studio Review - BWOne.com

http://www.bwone.com/microsoft-lifecam-studio-review/

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The LifeCam Studio is the 1080p update to the very popular LifeCam Cinema from Microsoft. Does 1080p and better audio make this webcam the better choice?

Hardware

The LifeCam Studio sports an improvement on the hardware build from the previous LifeCam Cinema. Now its made of a full aluminum brushed metal and its noticeably bigger than the previous model. The hinge is a bit more flexible and added a tripod port for mounting. Not much else is different physically other than the USB cord has been moved under the camera instead of out of the back. The two biggest internal changes are the 1080p sensor and the improved audio quality which we put to the test next

Usage

The software is exactly the same as for all Microsoft web cams with LifeCam. The camera does have very improved audio quality that before and almost sounds like I am using a separate microphone. The video recording is slightly better than the previous version but the biggest disappointment that even those this cam advertises 1080p, it can only take 1080p pictures, no video available. This is very odd as the competition can record in 1080p and this web cam can only take pictures in 1080p. While they do look good you would expect to be able to record some 1080p videos. The webcam supports video in HD through Windows Live but both parties will need the same camera and similar hardware specs to get it to work.

Overall

The LifeCam Studio web cam is a good webcam but doesn't push the bar up to high over its predecessor. The biggest would be improved audio quality. If you are in the market for a new webcam or want a webcam that does HD does HD the LifeCam Studio is the better buy for a bit more money over the LifeCam Cinema as you will 1080p pictures and improved audio. If you already own the LifeCam Cinema there is no reason to upgrade.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Microsoft
• lifecam
• Lifecam studio
• lifecam cinema
• web cam
• webcam
• 720p
• HD
• 1080p
• Skype
• Windows live
• Windows Live video calling
• Windows Live Messenger
• computers
• Video
• video review
• consumer electronics
• bwone

[ElectrideGG]

Im just wondering. Everywhere I am reading it says this camera records video widescreen 1080p. I think you need to do more research and get more proof that "its doesn't record in 1080p"

[bwonedotcom]

@ElectrideGG Hi if you read my comments earlier since they don't include the 1080p video capabilities in their own software I didn't give them the credit for it. Out of the box it should be able to record in 1080p without additional software. The Logitech C910 does this with their included software. I can't give Microsoft credit for something they don't support in their own software as they should.

[Emeengor]

@bwonedotcom it does record 1080p even with the included software... the think is that the ms software filters your hardware specs and if its under a certain level ms software makes the 1080p recording not available

[bwonedotcom]

@Emeengor This is not the case with the software. At the time of this review it actually states on the Box that you need 3rd party software to get 1080p. The system that this was tested on is more that capable of handling 1080p

[laymansviews]

We really don't need to go through the whole un-boxing thing, and also, you can't tell anything about the quality of a web cam unless it's shooting some moving objects.

[bwonedotcom]

@DTR507 Since they don't include it by default in their own program I didn't give them credit for it. The Logitech C910 does 1080p with software they include of their own. I can't give Microsoft credit for saying it does 1080p and not including it out of the box with their own software.

[tylercool223]

i can mod my cinema to this one... unset for the 1080p part

[version2media]

i can use this webcam to do a live stream/"video broadcast" thru ustream?

for example, i can use this to live broadcast a local football game on ustream?

[jamieh19861]

@bwonedotcom totally aggree on yur comment i think company just rely on sofware recording and expect everyone to buy onlin e recording sofware to be able record pro one scam after another emty our pockets

[emiel1976ep]

@bwonedotcom It records in 1080p but it depends of your pc.

As your pc or mac is to slow it will not record in 1080p. I think to keep a surten quality.

[jharrymoore]

with the test footage at the end, is the audio processed or raw?

[ricsip]

@falconidaes

MS simply hired a lawyer who can put carefully worded statements on the box: proper wording of a pure lie, MS does not literally lie to customers so you cannot sue, but in fact the product doesnt exactly meet the specs they claim.

To put things simple: cheap (cheap=no HW-based compression in the device itself) USB2 webcams by nature are incapable of delivering 720p @ 30 FPS due to USB2 bus bandwidth contraints (1080p @ 30 FPS is not even a question after all this)