Microsoft introduces LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX5500 webcams

Posted by David Walker on Wed 10 Sep 2008

Vista-friendly video and stills in super-slim packages

Yes, most laptops have them built into the hood, but pity the poor desktop user, lacking the kit for a bit of hands-on social networking. Never fear, Microsoft is here.

And it's here with the LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 webcams. The Show is super-slim (just half an inch deep), offering a 2MP sensor for video and 8MP for your stills, along with high-end audio technology that includes a noise-cancelling microphone and echo-cancellation software, which all sounds VoIPtastic. There's even a pile of connectors for hooking up to just about anything. In comparison, the LifeCam VX-5500 is pretty low rent, with a VGA sensor and 1.3MP stills, although there is a noise-cancelling microphone hidden away in there.

Both feature LifeCam software (should you or your friends need a makeover), a Video message 'answerphone' for Vista users, photo swapping in mid-conversation and one-touch access to Windows Live Call. Both cameras hit the stores this month - £79.95 for the Show and £49.99 for the VX-5500.

Microsoft