Today Microsoft Hardware sets a new standard for webcams with the launch of LifeCam Cinema, the first consumer webcam on the PC to offer widescreen video with a native 720p sensor.

LifeCam Cinema was created to deliver an experience like the movies, with high-definition (HD) video and clear sound. However, life doesn't happen on a movie set, and most people don't have a lighting team in their house to make them look camera-ready. In common indoor settings (low-light situations) Microsoft promises to deliver an easy way to show high video quality in these scenarios. Maintaining a high frame rate even in the lowest lighting, LifeCam Cinema helps ensure that users look well lit and that video remains smooth.

As the only PC consumer webcam on the market today with a native 720p sensor that delivers widescreen video capture at 16:9,2 LifeCam Cinema provides 720p high-definition video and features Auto Focus to keep video sharp from across the room all the way up to 4 inches from the webcam. Also launching with LifeCam Cinema is Microsoft's ClearFrame Technology, which offers faster image processing technology to help deliver smooth video at any resolution and improved noise reduction technology to reduce image graininess and keep video sharp. Finally, the LifeCam Cinema webcam?s widescreen technology allows the widest angle of capture ever for a Microsoft webcam, at 74 degrees.

Microsoft also today announced the LifeChat LX-1000, a headset with high-quality audio and a noise-canceling microphone.

LifeCam Cinema and LifeChat LX-1000 will be available in September for the estimated retail prices of $79.95 and $24.95 (U.S),5 respectively. They will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com starting on Aug. 24, 2009. Microsoft backs the LifeCam Cinema with a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty, and the LifeChat LX-1000 with a two-year limited hardware warranty.