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Top-Rated Products
Customer Reviews for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Model: GNF-00001
SKU: 9797745
UPC: 885370039535
Learn more about LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam. (Flash demo) Enjoy high-definition video up to 720p resolution with this webcam that is ideal for video chats, filming and talking pictures. TrueColor technology delivers bright and colorful video in most lighting conditions.
Average Customer Rating:
3.6
out of 5
(21 Reviews) 21
Rating Snapshot 21 reviews
5 stars
8
4 stars
4
3 stars
3
2 stars
5
1 star
1
57% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
12 out of
21)
Customer Reviews for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Review 1 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Good Value
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Bklynrr
from MD
on 04/11/2012
Value for Price
5.0
Video quality
4.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Compatibility
4.0
What's great about it: Price and easy to use
What's not so great: Mount
It was easy to install and very easy for my wife to use. She has no problems with it and enjoys what it allows her to do...
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Great cam for the first time having one.
Customer Rating
5.0
Value for Price
5.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: size, feture's
What's not so great: i didn't say that..
I never knew the picture could be so clear, and it is not noticeable..
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Brush your teeth and comb your hair! So simple!
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: RixiRox
from NY
on 03/20/2012
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: So simple to set up and easy to use
What's not so great: It doesn't make you prettier than you are.
Well this turned out to be a breeze. Set up your background and put on your best smile. This is a High Definition camera, so smile! The hardest problem you will have is make up and selecting the background! Oh, and get used to seeing yourself the way others see you.
Culture SHOCK!
Nothing wrong with this little cam. It does the job quite well. No autofocus issue here.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Review 5 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Great when I disabled the autofocus!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Pianist64
from St. Louis MO
on 09/09/2011
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: Clarity, doesn't wiggle, small and attractive little thing!
What's not so great: Hard to figure out how to turn autofocus off!
Clear camera! Here's how to disable the autofocus. Go to Start, All Programs, and find Microsoft LifeCam, then click on Microsoft LIfeCam (not help). Your camera should open up (if connected). On the right edge of the screen is a blue arrow. Click on this and a side window will open. AT the top is this silver "wheel" looking thing that is your "settings" button. Uncheck "true color", then a "properties" button shows up. Click on "properties", then click on tab that says "Camera Control". Uncheck "Auto" next to the focus. Then his Apply. So far so good; it's not doing the annoying autofocus!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Easy to install
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from MO
on 06/05/2011
Value for Price
3.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: Video quality & sound
What's not so great: Autofocus
This webcam has good quality video and sound, but like others have said that the auto focus will not stop. The auto focus kept adjusting when it was already in focus. After reading so many others that had the same issue I used mine for one night and returned it to Best Buy for the Logitech c310. Have to wait and see how the Logitech works.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-3points
0out of 3found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Great camera!!!
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Paybackxx
from Milwaukee, WI
on 12/23/2010
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
4.0
Compatibility
3.0
What's great about it: Really clear image
What's not so great: Auto focus
I bought this for my Girlfriend because we live apart right now and can't just drive to see each other during the week. The auto fucus does kind of suck but it is extremely clear when turned off. Her sister want's one after they chatted online and she could see her so much clearer then her old camera.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Great except for autofocus!
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: jdlyga
from Farmingdale, NY
on 12/07/2010
Value for Price
3.0
Video quality
3.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Compatibility
3.0
What's great about it: video quality, effects, software
What's not so great: autofocus!
By autofocus, they really mean autofocus every 10 seconds. I am sitting still in my chair. Is it really necessary for this obsessive compulsive camera to keep adjusting and adjusting? Thankfully, you can turn off this annoying feature.
The camera itself is pretty high quality. There were some lag issues with 720p video even on my ridiculously powerful gaming machine, but otherwise it's fine. The included camera config software has some pretty neat effects, such as making your eyes huge, putting a hat on your head, etc.
I recommend that you buy the HD-5000 for 5 dollars cheaper instead. It doesn't have the irritating auto-focus feature, and the rest of the hardware is exactly the same.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Not for XP 64-Bit
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: Mike8548
from St. Louis, MO
on 11/03/2010
Value for Price
3.0
Video quality
3.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Compatibility
1.0
What's great about it: I dont know....I can't use it
What's not so great: No 64 bit OS support
Well, I now own a $40 paper weight, but it is my fault for not reading. This camera will not work on XP 64-bit systems. It says as much on the package, I just stopped reading after I saw XP SP2. I just assumed since it was a Microspft product, it would work with any current Microsoft OS.
So I dont know if it works well, and how the video quality is. Unfortunately once I broke the seal, it's mine now. I will probably go try the Logitec C270, which is what I went into the store to buy before the sales associate talked me into this camera. This one will just sit around until I either make the plunge into Windows 7 32 bit (not likely) or I give it to someone.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-1point
5out of 11found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Ok camera, couldn't get software to work
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: cyclysm748
from North Dakota
on 11/02/2010
Value for Price
2.0
Video quality
3.0
Ease of Use
2.0
Compatibility
3.0
What's great about it: Not much. Looks cool, mount is pretty good.
What's not so great: software, autofocus
The camera itself looks cool and the mount works well. I used it with an lcd thin 19" monitor and it sets right on top and does not wiggle or move easily. I spent $42 after tax on this thing in the store. I think there are better deals out there. It has good video quality. Though not much better than laptop built in cameras. The problem is the focus. If you move closer or farther away, it has to refocus for each little movement which is annoying as heck. The other problem I had was that the software included would not run on my windows xp sp3 machine. I searched forums and help stuff for about an hour to no avail. New drivers and firmware didn't help. After removing the software the camera worked with the default windows drivers. If you want to record, just find a free online program. It worked fine in the tinychat room I was in. The sound is kind of quiet as well which was another problem. I am returning it to find something cheaper.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+4points
5out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
goood
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: ziggy06
from woodbridge va
on 09/11/2010
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: mmmm everything
What's not so great: nothing
i see alot of people are mad about the autofocus built into the webcam and how they say it is annoying...i found a way to disable it....click the box next to true color and then click properties...there u can uncheck it....good luck everyone!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+16points
16out of 16found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
autofocus!!!
Customer Rating
1.0
Posted by: Taylor99999
on 08/20/2010
Value for Price
2.0
Video quality
1.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Compatibility
3.0
What's great about it: good quality video
What's not so great: autofocus is horrible
the autofocus is EXTREMELY annoying. it goes blurry even if you move a little bit! it has a great video quality, and i love the fact that it can show you in a dark room- but the autofocus makes me so angry! i move a little and it takes much longer than when i moved to focus the picture, leaving it blurry for a deal of time!!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+5points
9out of 13found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Excellent if you can find it used
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Li
from Chicago, IL
on 08/16/2010
Value for Price
5.0
Video quality
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: good value for the money, 720p, well build
What's not so great: audio quality a bit low, autofocus not useful during recording
I got my webcam from best buy outlet store for $12 shipped.
It could be the cheapest HD video cam you can buy from a named manufacture.
Here are a few quick observations regarding video and audio quality:
Video is pretty good in its price range. Supports 720p recording. Bundled software is fun and easy to use. The true color technology adds automatic white balance and the ability to prevent face from washed out by highlights.
Audio quality is below average. Picks up a lot of ambient noise as well as autofocus clicking sound when camera is focusing. Does not pick up voice that well but it does work...
Autofocus is pretty much a joke if used during recording, it will hunt focus every 30 seconds or so. HOWEVER, it does make the camera easier to adjust focus (with just a sliding of the adjustment bar in the program) instead of having to reach your hand out to the webcam and manually adjust a focusing ring or knob.
So get it in an outlet mall if you can... It will be money well spend.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Auto focus is bad!
Customer Rating
3.0
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Compatibility
4.0
What's great about it: Picture/color
What's not so great: Autofocus blurs and sharpens picture constantly
I agree with the previous reviewer. I tried desperately to disable autofocus with this camera. this camera would be perfect if there was an option to disable it. Ironically I bought the higher end version called the Lifecam cinema and they allow disabling the autofocus.
that being said if the autofocus issue is resolved through a software update i would recommend this camera because of its rich color, sharp picture, easy mounting, and its fair price.
Microsoft wanted the autofocus to attract costumers, i believe they need to make sure that it is an adjustable option if this product wants to be sucessful.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
AUTO FOCUS - VERY VERY FAST
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: userwebcam
on 06/19/2010
Value for Price
2.0
Video quality
4.0
Ease of Use
1.0
Compatibility
2.0
What's not so great: auto focus - cannot set
Today I purchased this webcam and everything is good ... but have issues with auto focus ...
cannot set auto focus with true color and with true color selected auto focus is very fast it focus the picture for every 3 - 4 seconds which really irrtates the other user ... i am usings this in skype ...
when i disable true color and make the auto focus to "0" also auto focus zoomes very fast .. cannot select auto at all
Will check for some time and will return this back
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
GREAT CAMERA FOR A BEGINNER
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: SHORTY33
from jackson, tn
on 06/15/2010
Value for Price
5.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: IT SHOWS A GREAT PICTURE
THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA! IT'S EASY TO USE. IT'S WORTH THE PRICE I PAID.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
2out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Very clear video
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: nliu0704
from San Francisco
on 06/04/2010
Value for Price
3.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: It's good to know Microsoft still cherish its name
What's not so great: A little price cut may encourage more buyers
It's a good camera that lasts. Very sharp picture and good auto focus. I would recommend it to my friends.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Excellent mostly....
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: JamesCounts1019
from Virginia Beach, VA
on 06/03/2010
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
2.0
What's great about it: Extreme picture quality, great sound, easy setup
What's not so great: Tech specs are true to their word
Bought this to use on my desktop computer that is connected to my 32 inch TV. Works great. However, the tech specs specifically state certain system requirements, and I believe they stand true. I have XP Pro 32-bit on my desktop and the software did not like it one bit. I have Win 7 Ultimate 32-bit on my laptop and it installed perfectly on there.
The cam works on both computers just fine, it's just the software didn't install on my desktop.
Overall, the quality of the camera is phenomenal. The auto zoom works well with the TV. Can't complain about the camera at all.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
cant turn off auto focus
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: vegas1
from vegas
on 05/24/2010
Value for Price
4.0
Video quality
3.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: easy to set up
What's not so great: no disable setting for auto focus.
auto focus keep running when you move around or get a little close to the cam. Try it you`ll see what I mean. I`m going to exchange this today.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
4out of 7found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for Microsoft LifeCam HD-5001 Webcam - White
Very decent camera HD too!!!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Sneakycamper200
from Seattle,Wa
on 05/15/2010
Value for Price
5.0
Video quality
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
What's great about it: Size,Easy to use and setup,Price was good also
What's not so great: Nothing at the moment !
Hey i bought this the other week and is is great with most chat programs and Windows Live and Skype program too ! Friends seen the power of a well built HD webcam all for the price too !!! It has a simple little stand for LCD screen type of monitors for pc and tv too!!!! Will recommend this one to anyone looking to get a new HD webcam.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
1out of 3found this review helpful.
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