LifeCam explained

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

History

The VX series of Microsoft LifeCam debuted on 13 June 2006, 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.

Specifications

Model	Released	Video Resolution	Image Sensor	Built in Microphone	Remarks
VX-500	2008 May^[1]	640 x 480	0.3 MP
VX-700	2008 Aug^[2]	640 x 480	0.3 MP		Seems to be available in selected markets only.
VX-800^[3]	Japan - 2009 Sept^[4] Spain - 2009 Oct^[5] International - 2011^[6] ^[7]	640 x 480	0.3 MP		Part Number JSD-00007, was released in 2011, while JSD-00014 was released a year later.
VX-1000^[8]	2006 Sept^[9]	640 x 480	0.3 MP		Universal attachment base
VX-2000	2009 May^[10]	640 x 480	1.3 MP
VX-3000	2006 June^[11]	640 x 480	1.3 MP		Automatic face tracking software Universal attachment base Pan, tilt and zoom
VX-5000^[12]	2008 May	640 x 480	1.3 MP		Flexible StandAvailable in three colour variants: Fire Red Cool Blue Lucky Green
VX-5500	2008 Sept^[13]	640 x 480	1.3 MP		Swappable plastic front covers (in white, blue and red)
VX-6000^[14]	2006 June	1280 x 1024	1.3 MP(5.0MP Interpolated)		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)

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	5,000	55° Diagonal	640 x 480 (0.3MP)	0.3MP1.3MP Interpolated		Face-tracking, digital pan, tilt, and 3x zoomare not available for 640 x 480 video capture.
NX-6000^[17]	2006 Sept^[18]	10,000	71° Diagonal	1600 x 1190 (2.0MP)	CMOS 2.0MP7.6MP Interpolated		Face-tracking, digital pan, tilt, and 3x zoom are not available for 640 x 480 video capture.

LifeCam Show

• 2.0 megapixel sensor
• 8.0 megapixel still images (interpolated)
• 21-60" focused depth of field (fixed focus)
• 71-degree wide angle lens
• Comes with many attachments: Magnet disc, clip, and its own stand—it can be used on both desktop and laptop computers.
• Released: Sep 2008

LifeCam Cinema

• 720p 16:9 1/4" OmniVision OV9712 Sensor^[19]
• 5.0 megapixel still images (interpolated)
• Autofocus
• Built-in microphone
• 73,5-degree wide angle glass lens ^[20]
• 4"-∞ depth of field (autofocus)
• Released: Aug 2009^[21]

LifeCam Studio

• 1080p 16:9 Sensor ^[22]
• 8.0 megapixel still images (interpolated)
• Autofocus
• Built-in microphone
• 75-degree wide angle glass lens ^[23]
• Tripod thread
• Released: Sep 2010

HD Series

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		Lacks video effects.
HD-5000	2010 Mar	1280 x 720	4 MP
HD-5001	2010 Mar	1280 x 720	4 MP		Best Buy exclusive
HD-6000	2010 May	1280 x 720	4 MP		Designed for notebook users.

External links

• MSFT Hardware - LifeCam home

Notes and References

1. Web site: New Microsoft LifeCam Bends Over Backward for You. 2008-05-13. Microsoft. en-US. 2020-02-22.
2. Web site: Microsoft LifeCam VX-700 Webcam Launched in India. Dubey. Krati. 2008-08-28. TechShout. en-US. 2020-03-17.
3. Web site: LifeCam VX-800 Technical Data Sheet. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110531133848/http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/A/F/1AF799F4-184B-4069-9276-418C1E5924FF/TDS_LifeCamVX-800.pdf. 2011-05-31. 2020-03-02.
4. Web site: 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. 2009-09-29. CNET Japan. ja. 2020-03-17.
5. Web site: LifeCam VX-800 de Microsoft, sencilla y asequible. Penalva. Javier. 2009-10-17. Xataka. es. 2020-03-17.
6. 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.
7. Web site: Microsoft Webcam: LifeCam VX-800. 2011-06-24. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110624152939/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/lifecam-vx-800/JSD-00007. 2011-06-24. 2020-03-02.
8. Web site: LifeCam VX-1000. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091209081619/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/productdetails.aspx?pid=007. 2009-12-09. 2020-02-20.
9. Web site: Microsoft Expands Digital Communications Line With Notebook LifeCam Featuring Industry's Highest Video and Still Resolution. 2006-09-13. Microsoft. en-US. 2020-03-02.
10. Web site: Microsoft LifeCam VX-2000: Share Life at a Price That's Right. 2009-05-19. Microsoft. en-US. 2020-03-02.
11. Web site: Microsoft Hardware Advances Digital Communications Experiences: First webcams from Microsoft make seeing, hearing and sharing a breeze.. 2006-06-13. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060616220934/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/jun06/06-13LifeCamPR.mspx. 2006-06-16. 2020-02-22.
12. Web site: LifeCam VX-5000. 2010-02-03. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100203005015/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=014&active_tab=overview. 2010-02-03. 2020-02-20.
13. Web site: Microsoft's Latest LifeCams Bring Life to Video Calls With Versatile New Designs. 2008-09-09. Microsoft. en-US. 2020-03-02.
14. Web site: LifeCam VX-6000. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091208064209/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=002. 2009-12-08. 2020-02-20.
15. Web site: Microsoft Hardware Kicks Off 25th Year with Pioneering New LifeCams and Notebook Mice. 2007-09-13. Microsoft. en-US. 2020-03-02.
16. Web site: Microsoft Internet Communications – LifeCam NX-3000. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080305052219/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/productdetails.aspx?pid=012. 2008-03-05. 2020-03-17.
17. Web site: Microsoft Internet Communications – LifeCam NX-6000. Microsoft. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080309062020/http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=005. 2008-03-09. 2020-03-17.
18. Web site: Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 Has 2-megapixel Video Resolution. TechCrunch. en-US. 2020-03-16.
19. https://web.archive.org/web/20120726143331/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/05/idUS93507+05-Oct-2009+PRN20091005 OmniVision Brings True 720p HD Video to Microsoft's New Flagship Webcam
20. http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/d/c/2dc5a37c-bb49-4014-970f-08d99aa4d745/TDS_LifeCamCinema_0909A.pdf Technical Data Sheet for Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
21. Web site: Action! LifeCam Cinema Introduces 720p HD Widescreen Video. 20 August 2009.
22. http://www.trendygadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/StudioFS_FINAL.pdf Presentation of the Microsoft LifeCam Studio
23. http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/9/5/0952776D-7A26-40E1-80C4-76D73FC729DF/TDS_LifeCamStudio.pdf Technical Data Sheet for Microsoft LifeCam Studio
24. Web site: Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000, HD-5001 and HD-6000 webcams get TrueColor auto-balance. 16 March 2010.