Microsoft launches webcams - bit-tech.net Forums

WilHarris · 14th Jun 2006, 16:40

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/06...nches_webcams/

<A88> · 14th Jun 2006, 16:46

How is it 'taking a leaf out of Apple's book'? The company has incorporated webcam functionality into its IM client for years now and companies such as Logitech have targetted much of their webcam line at MSN messenger in particular. All Microsoft is doing is launching a product that'll help put its PC hardware catalogue on par with the Xbox one and, as you rightly said, push forward the whole 'Live' route. From a personal point of view I think $99 is pretty damn good for a 5mp (albeit interpollated) webcam, although I'd rather get a motion tracking one for now such as the Quickcam sphere/orbit.

Edit: Seems it does have face tracking software with it, although I'm not quite sure to what extent it's mechanical.

<A88>

Nova · 14th Jun 2006, 17:46

but if i get some one a webcam... i dont want face tracking software

simosaurus · 14th Jun 2006, 18:12

it definitely LOOKS cool

gpw111 · 14th Jun 2006, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova

but if i get some one a webcam... i dont want face tracking software

are u implyin you dont always look at someones face when talkin to them?

olly_lewis · 14th Jun 2006, 18:41

Well i have never been a fan of web cams, they always use some terrible bundled software and getting them to work and getting it to sync with MSN messenger is a pain in the a$$... Also, half the time nobody else has a webcam, therefore tis pointless... perhaps this will make life easier but ive got better thing to spend my money on....
It does look nice and the 5 megpixels is impressive for a web cam, always seen ones with 1.3 megapixels but atleast they have improved one that...

ajack · 14th Jun 2006, 18:46

Wewt, more cam whores

yahooadam · 14th Jun 2006, 19:38

sounds like a good idea, i thought logitech cameras were the prefered msn camera's, even then those MS cams arent cheap ...

EK-MDi · 14th Jun 2006, 21:09

This is good news. This would mean that Microsoft's superior MSN Spaces to MySpace, will hopefully overtake it in popularity. Well at least it will help to anyway.

[1N0V471V] · 14th Jun 2006, 21:35

I bet you'll need a Genuine Windows Validation for this thing to even work

Kipman725 · 14th Jun 2006, 23:12

I tried webcams and they serve no purpose apart from purposes which would be more enjoyable off the webcam...

Comrade Penguin · 15th Jun 2006, 02:21

The odd bit of webcam is alright but I'm not really up for video chat. If I want to speak to someone I'll ring them or use Skype, MSN and alike are great cause you cant talk to 3 different people about totally different things and it doesn't get too confusing. There are a lot of benefits to text as opposed to voice communication in certain circumstances. That said these just look like slightly fancy webcams with Microsoft slapped on them rather than any kind of world conquering stratergy.

Cthippo · 15th Jun 2006, 06:10

Sad to say I could see myself buying one of these, though not for $99. I'd like a higher res webcam with integrated sound that actually works with my XP Pro64 machine and I may have to turn to MS to get it. Pretty sad statement, huh?

zr_ox · 15th Jun 2006, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipman725

I tried webcams and they serve no purpose apart from purposes which would be more enjoyable off the webcam...

I love webcams. You need to have high bandwidth for them to be of any use at all. I find their use indespensable when keeping in touch with family and friends overseas. Seeing the person actually makes it more personal.

Blademrk · 15th Jun 2006, 10:41

I just bought 2 logitech cameras last week (1 for each of my PCs). My parents are going to Canada for 3 weeks to visit my Aunt and I thought webcams would be a good idea so that they can see their grandson (and me) when they miss him too much.

DXR_13KE · 15th Jun 2006, 11:04

quite interesting....next stop google webcams

olly_lewis · 15th Jun 2006, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipman725

I tried webcams and they serve no purpose apart from purposes which would be more enjoyable off the webcam...

Have to agree with you there!

14th Jun 2006, 16:40	#1
WilHarris Just another nobody Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,671	Microsoft launches webcams http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/06...nches_webcams/

14th Jun 2006, 16:46	#2
<A88> Trust the Computer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 4,797	How is it 'taking a leaf out of Apple's book'? The company has incorporated webcam functionality into its IM client for years now and companies such as Logitech have targetted much of their webcam line at MSN messenger in particular. All Microsoft is doing is launching a product that'll help put its PC hardware catalogue on par with the Xbox one and, as you rightly said, push forward the whole 'Live' route. From a personal point of view I think $99 is pretty damn good for a 5mp (albeit interpollated) webcam, although I'd rather get a motion tracking one for now such as the Quickcam sphere/orbit. Edit: Seems it does have face tracking software with it, although I'm not quite sure to what extent it's mechanical. <A88> __________________ TheCounterfit.co.uk Twitter Facebook Last.fm Flickr! FriendFeed Last edited by <A88>; 14th Jun 2006 at 16:52.

14th Jun 2006, 18:12	#4
simosaurus Supermodder Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 348	it definitely LOOKS cool __________________ lian-li v1000b 700GB RAID 0 Array X2 4800+ 7800 GTX SLi X-Fi FPS 24" dell Aqua Watercooling

14th Jun 2006, 18:46	#7
ajack rox Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: /home Posts: 2,696	Wewt, more cam whores __________________ ajack.org DA \| Flickr select from pants;*

14th Jun 2006, 21:35	#10
[1N0V471V] Multimodder Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 82	I bet you'll need a Genuine Windows Validation for this thing to even work __________________ Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 3.6GHz - Abit AW9D-Max 2x1GB Muskin Redline XP2 PC8000 - EVGA 8800GTS 640MB Corsair HX-620 - Lian Li V1100 - 250GB Seagate Barracuda SATA Dell 2007WFP - Danger Den TDX Universal Top - Windows XP Professional Dell E1505 - 2GHz Core 2 Duo T7200 - 1GB DDR533 ATI Radeon X1400 - 15.4" WSXGA+ with TrueLife 60GB Samsung SATA 5400RM HDD - DVD+/-RW

14th Jun 2006, 17:46	#3
Nova Modder Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marietta, Ohio Posts: 53	but if i get some one a webcam... i dont want face tracking software

14th Jun 2006, 18:41	#6
olly_lewis Hypermodder Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 756	Well i have never been a fan of web cams, they always use some terrible bundled software and getting them to work and getting it to sync with MSN messenger is a pain in the a$$... Also, half the time nobody else has a webcam, therefore tis pointless... perhaps this will make life easier but ive got better thing to spend my money on.... It does look nice and the 5 megpixels is impressive for a web cam, always seen ones with 1.3 megapixels but atleast they have improved one that...

14th Jun 2006, 19:38	#8
yahooadam Ultra csavarkulcs Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,323	sounds like a good idea, i thought logitech cameras were the prefered msn camera's, even then those MS cams arent cheap ...

14th Jun 2006, 21:09	#9
EK-MDi Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 210	This is good news. This would mean that Microsoft's superior MSN Spaces to MySpace, will hopefully overtake it in popularity. Well at least it will help to anyway.

14th Jun 2006, 23:12	#11
Kipman725 When did I get a custom title!?! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,753	I tried webcams and they serve no purpose apart from purposes which would be more enjoyable off the webcam... __________________ Sn45g game server mod My Electronics Site Hardware: 3400+ Sempr0n, 1GB RAM, 1.28TB local storage, x1950pro,Razer Viper,M$ comfort curve 2000,L70S + 17", Fujitsu 17" CRT Audio: HD-650's, PE congress amp, Sound Blaster AWE64, Soundblaster 24bit

15th Jun 2006, 02:21	#12
Comrade Penguin 69 Dude!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 69	The odd bit of webcam is alright but I'm not really up for video chat. If I want to speak to someone I'll ring them or use Skype, MSN and alike are great cause you cant talk to 3 different people about totally different things and it doesn't get too confusing. There are a lot of benefits to text as opposed to voice communication in certain circumstances. That said these just look like slightly fancy webcams with Microsoft slapped on them rather than any kind of world conquering stratergy. __________________ Silent to the Dark

15th Jun 2006, 06:10	#13
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,475	Sad to say I could see myself buying one of these, though not for $99. I'd like a higher res webcam with integrated sound that actually works with my XP Pro64 machine and I may have to turn to MS to get it. Pretty sad statement, huh? __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

15th Jun 2006, 10:41	#15
Blademrk Why so serious? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Here Posts: 2,360	I just bought 2 logitech cameras last week (1 for each of my PCs). My parents are going to Canada for 3 weeks to visit my Aunt and I thought webcams would be a good idea so that they can see their grandson (and me) when they miss him too much. __________________ The Bit-Tech.net X-Box Live! Leaderboard My X-Box Live & X-Fire GamerTag: BladeMRK WII#: 0379 8536 3210 2060 My Flikr albums Twitter

15th Jun 2006, 11:04	#16
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,480	quite interesting....next stop google webcams __________________ RENEGADE X CONTEST! <---- CLICK if you want to win a free Command & Conquer 4 beta key!