Hi, I'm Justin Yu, associate editor for CNET.com with the first look at the Microsoft LifeCam HD-6000 web camera.
It has 720p HD video at up to 30 frames per second, but make sure that your computer meets Microsoft's system requirements which include at least a dual core 3 GHz processor, 2 gigs of ram, and a gig and a half of free storage space.
Now, as far as design, the HD-6000 is small enough to fit on your laptop screen while you chat
and it's got this wide angle 360-degree rotating lens for a full rotation point of view, and there's a small button up top here that defaults to Windows Live Messenger but you can use it with other video chat programs like Skype or Google Chat as well.
The LifeCam software acts as a central hub for changing settings like image quality and microphone volume as well as video resolution.
With quality settings from 160 X 120 all the way up to 1280 X 720 HD video.
We also enjoyed using the software's range of catchy 3D overlays that apply visual effects to captured images and moving video,
things like funny hats, masks, and glasses that actually move along with the location of your face.
Our big critique of the LifeCam, though, is the autofocus feature that detects what it thinks is your face and adjusts the focus when you move.
But we found that the sensor was too delicate and it constantly refocuses even with the slightest bit of movement.
So once you have the proper settings tuned in, though, the webcam is fairly straightforward to use.
We did detect graininess at lower resolutions but, overall, the camera should be a big upgrade from your stock webcam and we fully recommend it to anyone shopping for an aftermarket camera.
So check out all the details with the full review on CNET.com but that's gonna do it for me.
I'm Justin Yu, this is the Microsoft LifeCam HD-6000.
