Microsoft's budget 720p HD-5000 LifeCam reviewed (video)

A week after becoming a reality, Microsoft's LifeCam HD-5000 webcam has been given the review treatment by Mobile + Netbook and, while it delivers what looks to be generally excellent quality video, it doesn't score perfectly high marks. For one thing, this cam does not feature onboard hardware encoding, which resulted in 40 percent CPU utilization for this tester when recording at 720p on a Core i5 750 processor -- ouch. This also means that the cam will not be usable for Skype HD, as that service requires onboard hardware encoding. But, other than some slow focus issues, the camera delivered quite good quality and color and, at just $50 MSRP (we're seeing them for $40 online), it's still quite a bargain.

[TonyMontana2367 Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:14AM]

Trust me, nobody wants to see you in HD.

[ChillyCat Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:22AM]

@HannahMontana 2367

and you're the looker....HUH ??

[TonyMontana2367 Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:55AM]

@ChillyCat

Is not one person able to relate to Scarface?

[Eternity Posted Mar 26th 2010 11:18AM]

@TonyMontana2367

I beg to differ. I want to see plenty of camwhores in HD. Thank You.

[abedinthehouse Posted Mar 26th 2010 3:50PM]

@Eternity
you naughty naughty boy!

[Muddy Posted Mar 27th 2010 4:28AM]

@TonyMontana2367

You do realise it's a review of a webcam? And the best way to show the quality of a webcam would be to show real world use, which he showed multiple situations. So yes I put him in HD.

[bazookafx3 Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:25AM]

Wow I like alot, I might just have to snag one asap !

[kempcross Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:44AM]

@bazookafx3 "a lot" is two words.

[LiqwidZero Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:26AM]

@kempcross

Sadly, he's not an Engadget writer. So I really can't understand why you want to harp on some one's incorrect typing. It's really rude and not needed.

[kempcross Posted Mar 26th 2010 11:53AM]

@LiqwidZero Just trying to pass on some knowledge brah, maybe I just helped him pass his middle school English test. Oh, and I'm trying my best not to post the definition of "harp."

[sweetelectro Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:19PM]

@kempcross It's funny because everyone is laughing at you for thinking anyone cares about a lot or harp.

[LiqwidZero Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:57PM]

@kempcross

Being an elitist doesn't help your cause. It just makes you look like an idiot.

[bazookafx3 Posted Mar 26th 2010 1:08PM]

@LiqwidZero Well I think this comment won for 'going the most off topic'
But thanks Liqwid, I appreciate your help ALOT...... tehe I had to

[who said what Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:33AM]

MS doesn't believe in frugality when it comes to using your computing resources!

[Jimbojones Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:17AM]

@who said what

yeah, except this webcam is $50. If you want hardware acceleration get ready to spend $100

[lamerz Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:08PM]

@who said what And you apparently don't believe in understandin what you are talking about.

[who said what Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:10PM]

@lamerz
And i believe you'd like to impart some knowledge of your own there other than just commenting on my capabilities or lack thereof?

[lamerz Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:15PM]

@who said what OK, well I'd think that software encoding is suitable for a camera costing under $50. You want hardware encoding? Spend at least double. Also, that level of CPU utilization does not seem bad for encoding 720p real-time. Not sure what the complaint is here.

"Hey look my system resources are being used by software and hardware. OH NOES!!!1!1 I prefer my system to sit there and idle 100% of the time." Geez.

[who said what Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:30PM]

@lamerz

Ok, I'll ignore your pathetic attempt to be funny here as just a lack of capability. And that's alright. Moving on...

"Lifecam", is supposed to be for general public and not geeks only, I hope you would agree on that.

Now, MS says it's 720p and so someone's mom/dad go get it to watch the high res image of their new-born grandkids... So they go get a "cheap" but "good quality 720p" lifecam from MS, only to find that while video chatting, they couldn't really see the video because their 4yr old "perfect" laptop/desktop started freezing up!

Now believe it or not, no one buys laptops/desktiops every year to stay updated with latest hardware...

My peeve is, if it really hurts computing power and practical usage... why would MS tout it as a "cheap" high quality webcam when they know it'll hit the performance of an otherwise good machine capable enough to do the basic internet surfing/chat! It's cheap, but it has a hidden cost that you and I would know but not the general average user.

Don't jump the guns and judge others' ability to know what's the bottomline. Just because you have a different opinion doesn't mean it is THE correct opinion.

[FCells Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:35AM]

chatroulette in HD hell yeah... not.

[FAP FAP FAP Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:55AM]

Now we can see all the children's beautiful- ....faces.
*wink wink

[brexb Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:22PM]

@FCells Ya, that's generally a "not." But there was this one time ... (that's 1:1,006,257)

[JimmyBoy Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:35AM]

Yippee.

[southern78 Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:39AM]

Porn industry to buy up first 50,000 units.

[Raffstyle Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:29AM]

@southern78

PORN Industry had been in HD for a
min. now... Step your porn game up! LOL

[southern78 Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:32AM]

@Raffstyle Damn...I am stuck in the betamax porn era frame of mind. My pornfu is weak I guess :-(

[DoctarPeppar Posted Mar 26th 2010 9:51AM]

40% CPU usage on an i5? Jesus christ -- what a piece of shit.

[whiskers Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:04AM]

@DoctarPeppar

If it's anything like the VX6000, it is the bloated software....

[Jimbojones Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:25AM]

@DoctarPeppar it's cheap $50 camera with HD encoding on the computer. What did you expect? If you want encoding on camera, spend $100. Btw why is it such a big deal to see 40% utilization?

[DoctarPeppar Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:38AM]

@Jimbojones
Well for one there's way more efficient ways to encode videos aside from having a hardware encoder on the camera -- guess M$ didn't bother to write decent software.

[lamerz Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:11PM]

@DoctarPeppar Wow ... someone needs a clue. REAL TIME encoding of 720p video. Hello? Of course that will be intensive without onboard encoding. Tell me what software encoder will do 720p 30fps with less CPU util. Or are you just making shit up?

[DoctarPeppar Posted Mar 26th 2010 1:14PM]

@lamerz
Okay, so add some code that uses the GPU if it's there's one there capable of helping out. How many of us DON'T have CUDA capable cards nvidia cards now? I don't know anything about ATI but I would assume they have a similar "interface" to access the GPU using C or C# or whatever.

[rudiger Posted Mar 26th 2010 3:47PM]

@DoctarPeppar *facepalm*

[jon Posted Mar 26th 2010 5:58PM]

@DoctarPeppar

"How many of us DON'T have CUDA capable cards nvidia cards now?"

Well considering that Inter owns about 75% of the graphics market, and ATI and Nvidia split the rest about evenly, I'd say the answer to your question is: The vast fucking majority. Would you care to try again?

[DoctarPeppar Posted Mar 26th 2010 6:36PM]

@jon
Inter? Never heard of em...I will have to try them one day since they seem to be so popular.

[jon Posted Mar 26th 2010 8:14PM]

@DoctarPeppar

I think you meant "I will have to try them one day, since they seem to be so popular."

But, since you can't even correct an obvious typo without making one of your own, I guess you're done here.

[stridermt2k Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:04AM]

Still trying to figure out why we need to cram HD webcam video down the pipes.

It's a webcam. What am I missing here?

[Jimbojones Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:27AM]

@stridermt2k my PC is hooked to my TV, full screen chat looks much better in HD if your DSL/CABLE is fast enough.

[Castaa Posted Mar 26th 2010 11:52AM]

@stridermt2k It's the cheapest way to record HD video for YouTube.

[stridermt2k Posted Mar 26th 2010 1:06PM]

@stridermt2k AHHHH!

Thank you!

[mynameisjay Posted Mar 26th 2010 10:58AM]

Cool glasses.

[TareG Posted Mar 26th 2010 11:04AM]

Not for Skype HD = Useless to me.

[MysticMaven Posted Mar 26th 2010 11:17AM]

Wow, what a POS.

[gpmoo7 Posted Mar 26th 2010 11:27AM]

Hey Microsoft, HD webcams are great but where are HD videos chats on Windows Live Messenger?

[lamerz Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:18PM]

@gpmoo7 Maybe coming in Live Wave 4 this summer? I dunno, but you'd think they'd implement that if they are selling hardware for it.

[lexgr Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:00PM]

Guys, help me out please... Is there a fool-proof & easy way to find out if a cam has onboard hardware encoding?

[sweetelectro Posted Mar 26th 2010 12:21PM]

@lexgr Googling reviews of said cams would be the easiest if they don't tell you right out.

[manIK Posted Mar 26th 2010 1:12PM]

When did 'tilt' start meaning 'swivel' ?

[arcasinky Posted Mar 26th 2010 1:20PM]

Nice resolution. Shame about not having any hardware assistance.

While on the topic of high res cameras, anybody have recommendations for affordable high-res cameras suitable for home surveillance?

[Smurf Posted Mar 26th 2010 2:30PM]

Yea... I'll wait for next gen. Why doesn't my Zi8 have a webcam mode? >:(