最近我发现自己需要一个高清网络摄像头(HD webcam)。我做了一些研究，找到了一些型号，最终选择了Microsoft LifeCam Studio ，因为(Microsoft LifeCam Studio)微软(Microsoft)为其设备提供了无与伦比的驱动程序支持。(driver support)但是我选择这个网络摄像头错了吗？它真的能提供高清质量(HD quality)吗？它运作良好吗？让我们(Let)从这篇评论中找出答案。
拆箱体验
包装是你习惯的：盒子比网络摄像头大得多，它允许你在不打开它的情况下查看它。
里面有一张带有相应软件的 CD、网络摄像头本身、USB 电缆(USB cable)、一个用于镜头的小塑料盖(plastic cover)和一个简短的手册。
如果您正在寻找更详细的产品指南(product guide)，您应该上网查找最新文档：Microsoft LifeCam Studio 支持(Microsoft LifeCam Studio Support)。
如上图所示，相机不是很大，看起来不错，可以轻松连接到任何显示器。它也可以安装在三脚架上，以防您需要用它做一些更有创意的事情。🙂
安装过程
在Windows 7和Windows 8中，只要插入摄像头就会被检测到。Windows会自动下载并安装相应的驱动程序，您可以立即使用它。
我很欣赏微软在(Microsoft)操作系统(operating system)推出后立即提供Windows 8支持。由于它是由Microsoft制造的，因此Windows 驱动程序(Windows driver)支持是完美的。Microsoft LifeCam Studio可以在包括Windows XP在内的所有(Windows XP)Windows版本中工作，即插即用(plug and play)。此外，还提供固件更新，可修复错误和问题。
我疯狂地将网络摄像头插入安装了Ubuntu Linux的笔记本电脑中。令我惊讶的是，Ubuntu正确安装了它，我可以在几秒钟内使用它。但是，我不确定它是否适用于Mac，因为Microsoft不提供官方OS X 支持(OS X support)。如果我们的读者在Mac上使用过它，请不要犹豫发表评论并分享(comment and share)您的经验。无论如何(Anyway)，感谢Microsoft制作了在Linux中运行良好的网络摄像头。🙂
硬件规格
如果您想全面了解其硬件规格，我建议您阅读Microsoft网站上的此页面：Microsoft LifeCam Studio - 主要功能(Microsoft LifeCam Studio - Key Features)。
在这篇评论中，我只想关注更重要的规范：
- 微软(Microsoft)表示LifeCam Studio具有 1080p高清传感器(HD Sensor)，但提供 720p高清录制(HD recording)。这是非常真实的。LifeCam 软件(LifeCam software)以 720p而不是 1080p 录制视频。但是，相机确实可以在 1080p 下工作，我可以使用其他软件录制全高清视频，例如(Full HD video)Camtasia Studio。
- 360度旋转是手动的。网络摄像头没有任何引擎来旋转它，以便我遵循某个目标。但是，借助LifeCam 软件(LifeCam software)，您可以放大、缩小或将相机聚焦到镜头的顶部、底部、右侧或左侧。
- Microsoft LifeCam Studio在Windows 和 Linux 版本的(Windows and Linux versions)Skype上运行良好。
使用体验
在使用体验方面，这个网络摄像头没什么可说的。它只是工作！它可以满足您的期望并且没有问题。
图像质量(image quality)清晰，尤其是在光线充足的环境中。即使在黑暗的房间里，你也会得到非常好的结果。具有面部跟踪(face tracking)功能的TrueColor 技术(TrueColor Technology)可以很好地发挥作用，并且网络摄像头会在您的视频聊天会话期间自动聚焦在您的身材上。
唯一的缺点是Microsoft LifeCam 软件(Microsoft LifeCam software)，它有点平庸。它只允许您录制视频、拍照、对视频输出(video output)应用一些效果、配置一些参数和缩放。它的界面有点笨拙，我更喜欢更现代和优雅的东西。
可用于网络摄像头的设置并不多。但是，您可能不需要摆弄它们。例如，我对图像和声音质量非常满意，以至于我在使用它的一个月内无需更改任何东西。
不要以为Microsoft LifeCam 软件(Microsoft LifeCam software)很糟糕。它只是不是很好，它与这个小巧但功能强大的网络摄像头中包含的硬件质量形成鲜明对比。网络摄像头的功能不会受到任何阻碍。
判决
Microsoft LifeCam Studio是一款运行良好且价格相对实惠的高清网络摄像头。(HD webcam)花费不到 100 美元，您将获得一个即插即用的设备（甚至在Ubuntu Linux中），提供高清视频(HD video)录制、非常好的音质(sound quality)和良好的自动对焦。设置它的工作量很小，大多数用户永远不会摆弄它的默认设置。他们将按照开箱即用的方式使用它。对于任何寻找高清网络摄像头(HD webcam)的人来说，购买Microsoft LifeCam Studio是一个安全的选择。
Reviewing the LifeCam Studio - Microsoft’s Top HD Webcam
Recently I have foυnd myself іn need of an HD webcam. I did a bit of research, found a fеw models and ended up picking the Microsoft LifeCam Studio due to the unrivaled driver support offered by Microsoft for its devices. But was I wrong to chоose this webcam? Does it really deliver HD quality? Dоes it work well? Lеt's find out from this review.
The Unboxing Experience
The packaging is what you are used to: the box is much bigger than the webcam and it allows you to view it without opening it.
Inside there is a CD with the appropriate software, the webcam itself, the USB cable, a small plastic cover for the lens and a brief manual.
If you are looking for a more detailed product guide, you should go online to find the latest documentation: Microsoft LifeCam Studio Support.
As you can see in the picture above, the camera is not very big, it looks good and it is easily attached to any monitor. It also can be mounted on a tripod, in case you need to do something more creative with it. 🙂
The Installation Process
Both in Windows 7 and Windows 8, the camera is detected as soon as you plug it in. Windows downloads and installs the appropriate drivers automatically and you are able to use it in no time.
I appreciated that Microsoft offered Windows 8 support as soon as the operating system was made available. Since it is made by Microsoft the Windows driver support is flawless. The Microsoft LifeCam Studio will work, plug and play, in all versions of Windows, including Windows XP. Also, firmware updates are available, which fix bugs and issues.
I went wild and plugged the webcam in a laptop with Ubuntu Linux installed. To my surprise, Ubuntu installed it correctly and I was able to use it in a couple of seconds. However, I am not sure if it works on the Mac since Microsoft doesn't provide official OS X support. If any our readers has used it on the Mac, don't hesitate to leave a comment and share your experience. Anyway, kudos to Microsoft for making a webcam that works well in Linux. 🙂
Hardware Specifications
If you want a complete view of its hardware specifications, I recommend that you read this page on Microsoft's website: Microsoft LifeCam Studio - Key Features.
In this review, I would like to focus only on the more important specifications:
- Microsoft says that the LifeCam Studio has a 1080p HD Sensor but provides 720p HD recording. That's very true. The LifeCam software records video at 720p and not at 1080p. However, the camera does work at 1080p and I was able to record Full HD video using other software, like Camtasia Studio.
- The 360-degree rotation is manual. The webcam doesn't have any engine to rotate it so that i follows a certain objective. However, with the help of the LifeCam software you can zoom in, zoom out or focus the camera to the top, bottom, right or left side of the lens.
- Microsoft LifeCam Studio works very well on Skype, both Windows and Linux versions.
The Usage Experience
There is not much to tell about this webcam when it comes to the usage experience. It just works! It does what you expect it to and without issues.
The image quality is sharp, especially in well lit environments. Even in dark rooms, you will get very decent results. The TrueColor Technology with face tracking does it job very well and the webcam will focus on your figure automatically during your video chat sessions.
The only downside is the Microsoft LifeCam software which is a bit on the mediocre side of things. It only allows you to record videos, take pictures, apply some effects to the video output, configure some parameters and zoom. Its interface is a bit on the clunky side and I would have prefered something a bit more modern and elegant.
The settings available for the webcam are not many. However, you might not feel the need to fiddle with them. For example, I was so pleased with the image and sound quality that I need not change anything in the month that I have used it.
Don't imagine that the Microsoft LifeCam software is terrible. It is just not great and it contrasts with the quality of the hardware included in this little but powerful webcam. The functioning of the webcam is not hindered in any way by it.
Verdict
Microsoft LifeCam Studio is an HD webcam that works very well and it is relatively affordable. For less than 100 dollars you will get a device that is plug-and-play (even in Ubuntu Linux), delivers HD video recording, very good sound quality and good autofocus. The effort of setting it up is minimal and most users will never fiddle with its default settings. They will use it the way it was set up out of the box. Purchasing Microsoft LifeCam Studio is a safe bet for anyone looking for an HD webcam.
