Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 Review

Microsoft makes HD webcams even more affordable with its LifeCam HD-3000, a successor to the HD-5000. Able to shoot 720p video at a 30 fps frame rate and take 4-megapixel still images, the HD-3000 not only drops its price but it also drops what made the HD-5000 so frustrating: Auto Focus

At a Glance

The Good: Affordable, clear picture

The Bad: Microphone picks up ambient noise

Setup

The HD-3000 is easy to set up and get going. The model is plug and play, so just insert the USB cord (which is quite long in true LifeCam fashion) into a spare USB port. If you'd like to download the accompanying software, you can do so at this time, or you can download it via the included CD.

The webcam has a plastic head with a rubber clip to affix to a laptop screen. If you're using a desktop computer, you can mold the clip into a C-shaped stand.

Performance

I tested the HD-3000 side by side with the HD-5000 and found that the image quality was nearly identical. Colors are bright and accurate, and I receive adequate lighting from a single window and an overhead light.

There was a bit of a lag when shooting in 720p, as there is with the HD-5000, but it's not long enough to be frustrating. If you are truly bothered by it and don't require HD video, you can always drop the resolution down a bit. The webcam comes with seven preset resolutions.

Thankfully, this LifeCam model eliminates Auto Focus -- a main point of contention with the HD-5000. Although quick-moving objects in front of the camera don't cause the HD-3000 to constantly refocus itself, they do trigger the device to shift the displayed lighting (the picture jumps to lighter and darker shades). Even so, this is overwhelmingly less noticeable than the HD-5000.

As with the HD-5000, the newer model features Microsoft's new TrueColor Technology. Using the included software lets you adjust brightness, contrast, saturation and white balance, among other things.

(As always, how vivid the colors appear can be affected by the type of monitor or laptop display you have.)

Microphone

The HD-3000's built-in noise-canceling mic proved to be more sensitive when compared with its predecessor. Both are perfectly adequate for Skyping, but the HD-3000 picked up more background noise.

Both microphones claim to be noise-canceling, although Microsoft doesn't provide many details on what exactly this means. Noise-canceling is a popular term for microphones -- you see it a lot in Bluetooth headsets, where it's very important to pick up only the caller's voice and not the noise in the background.

The HD-3000 certainly has a sensitive mic, and this probably won't be an issue if you're using the webcam in your (mostly quiet) home. But it's something to consider if you'll be using the device in a noisier environment where ambient noise could pose a distraction.

The Bottom Line

At a $39.95 MSRP, the HD-3000 is a great buy for an easy-to-use HD webcam. While it's not perfect (re: mic and lag concerns), it's well worth its price tag.