Camera Phones Plaza

Microsoft launched a new webcam on the market called LifeCam VX-5500, bringing some new cool video effects and Video Messages for extra fun while you chat with people online.
Actually, there are 2 brand new releases, the one mentioned and the LifeCam Show, both with approximately the same number of features including laptop/desktop monitor support, but what differentiates them are the design characteristics.

LifeCam Show web camera model is extremely thin at just 11.9 mm, and sports a black mirror finish. It comes with a laptop clip for magnetic attachment to the monitor, desktop stand measuring 11 inches tall, and 2 attachment disks for the adhesive disc at the back of the laptop.
Inside it integrates a 2MP sensor, 8MP for still images, and a built-in noise-cancelling microphone with echo-cancellation and high sound clarity.

"Our design team has been working hard to ensure that we could fit best-in-class webcam technology into such a tiny footprint. Even at only one-half inch deep, LifeCam Show packs a mean punch with industry-leading audio and video technology," said Ralf Groene, Industrial Design manager at Microsoft. "We also designed these LifeCams to attach with ease to any type of PC because we know that consumers move between notebooks and desktops and back again, and they want a webcam that can move with them."



The other model called LifeCam VX-5500 has 3 switchable faceplates so you’ll never get bored of its color, and sports a collapsible design and a universal attachment clip.
It features 1.3MP for still images, 640 x 480 pixels for videos via the VGA sensor, and a high-end unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone built-in for crystal clear communication while you chat with people online.
Together with the 2 new cameras, Microsoft provides the LifeCam software for video calls. It brings 30 new video effects such as 3D Accessories for realistic effects like wearing a cowboy hat during chats, Facial Exaggerations and Filters. The latter 2 allow you to stretch your face and make bug-like eyes.



I mentioned the Video Message feature. Well, this one is the perfect solution for when you are not around your PC to answer incoming video calls, and instead you’ll be able to view all your messages on the Windows Live portal, via the dedicated Windows Vista gadget.
If you are a Windows Live Messenger user you can also share pictures and mid-video communication, open Contact Picker tool to see which contacts are online and pick the one you want to start video calls with.



These 2 web cameras are a cool solution for web chatting so you have to know the prices too. LifeCam Show will cost $99.95, while the LifeCam VX-5500, which will come out in October will be available at a price of $59.95.