Microsoft LifeCam Cinema: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-28

Summary

The LifeCam Cinema is a 2009 720p USB webcam whose main failure mode in 2026 is a black video feed after a Windows driver update, fixed by switching to the generic USB Video Device driver or rolling back. Running cost is $0 a year because it is bus-powered with no consumables, and a tested used unit is good value at $10–15, while $25 or more is better spent on a current 1080p webcam.

Common problems and fixes

Black feed after a Windows driver update — in a Microsoft Q&A thread that ran through January 2026, owners of early hardware report the camera going blank after a Windows update; several restored video by switching Device Manager’s camera driver to the generic USB Video Device, including a success report on January 30, 2026, and a February 2025 owner fixed an earlier update by rolling back to an older generic driver. [1]
Working in Firefox but not in Edge or Chrome — around October 8, 2025 a company admin reported its units stopped working in Edge and Chrome but kept working in Firefox despite camera permissions; the thread recorded no general fix. [1]
Microphone hiss and background noise — Laptop Mag heard playback hiss and TechCrunch heard hiss when gain was boosted; a separate headset or directional microphone is the workaround. [2][4]
Poor fit on narrow bezels and cable twist — Laptop Mag found the flexible clamp hard to position on some laptops and monitors, and the 360-degree swivel can twist the permanently attached lead. [2]
720p video only and interpolated stills — the sensor shoots native 1280 × 720 at up to 30 fps, and the advertised 5 MP stills (2880 × 1620) are interpolated in Microsoft’s datasheet, not a 5 MP sensor. [5]
No built-in privacy shutter — there is no manual lens shutter, so owners cover the lens in software or unplug the camera. [5]
Old effects and TrueColor may be unavailable — TrueColor was a 2010 software enhancement, and Microsoft warned it was unavailable on some Windows 10 S setups pending drivers. [5]

Parts and consumables

Batteries, filters, cartridges, ink and bulbs — none required or specified; the camera is USB bus-powered with no replacement schedule. [5]
Cleaning — a soft dry microfiber cloth on the exterior and lens is sufficient, and no special periodic item is specified. [5]

Yearly running cost

Required product-specific spending is $0 a year for batteries, cloud plans, filter kits, licence renewals and scheduled service parts, because the Cinema runs from the PC’s USB port. A yearly electricity figure is Not enough data: neither Microsoft’s datasheets nor retail sources publish a measured active USB wattage or energy use per hour, so any dollar figure would be invented.

When it is a good buy

A tested working used Cinema is good value at $10–15 as a backup or for legacy support, and $16–20 is fair only if the mount, cable and your video app all work. On eBay in October 2026, model 1393 pre-owned units were advertised around $7–25 before shipping, open-box units around $25–40 and new-old-stock items $33–70 and up, and one H5D-00013 new listing sat at $48.53 from seller Green Wave Electronics (eBay, October 2026) [6][7]. Newegg listed a for-Business 6CH-00001 from seller IsaacTronics at $129.99 (Newegg, October 2026) [8], Walmart showed the Cinema at $99.99 but out of stock (Walmart, October 2026) [9], and Microsoft’s 2009 US launch price was $79.95, a historical figure only. [12]

At $25 or more a Logitech Brio 100 at $24.99 is the stronger buy, with true 1080p and a sliding privacy shutter (Logitech, October 2026). [10] Two other alternatives: the Logitech C270 is a basic 720p camera at $29.99, and the Logitech C920S adds 1080p and a shutter at $69.99 (Logitech, October 2026). [11]