Microsoft HD-5000 LifeCam
Coming from Microsoft, the HD-5000 ought to integrate well with Windows Live and so it proves - the unit has a button on the top that launches Live from standby, though curiously this only worked with Vista and not Windows 7 Starter.
Video performance was good especially in low light when the trick TrueColour software really payed dividends. Less convincing was the sound quality, which was rather muffled compared to the other webcams on test and only marginally better than the built-in microphones in either of my laptops.
The single-piece flexible rubber stand is also far from perfect. It's compact and light, but the slightest tug on the USB cable causes the camera to go askew when mounted on a laptop lid or to move when resting on a desktop. Set against that, the HD-5000 is the cheapest camera here by some margin and is worth the outlay if you are stuck with a low-end 0.3Mp built-in webcam.
MS HD-5000 at both ends of connection
Reg Rating 70%
Price £50
More Info Microsoft
HD Webcams
COMMENTS
Next time can we have a different user doing the tests please?
No offence to Alun but perhaps a cheerleader or page three girl could have made the article a little more interesting ;)
I have...
....but the sphere, having a sphere front end picks it up at any point where you can effectively cover the light :(
re: Irritating Red Light
Try a blob of blu-tack, or some gaffer tape cut to size.
Farnsworth
Farnsworth was an interesting character, he also produced a fusion reactor that anyone can have a go at. Look for the Farnsworth Fusor.
