jkOnTheRun video- Lenovo IdeaPad U110 webcam recording
Rob Bushway of GottaBeMobile recently published a video demonstrating the use of the Lenovo IdeaPad U110 for recording video. Rob aptly demonstrated that his video recorded with the included Lenovo EasyCapture webcam utility had intermittent audio/ video sync problems, an experience that mirrors my own. I always use ArcSoft Webcam Companion to record video on laptop webcams which has always worked well for me and this video is an example I recorded on my Lenovo IdeaPad's webcam using the ArcSoft utility. Have a look and see what you think. The ArcSoft utility produces a MPG video file that I took into Windows Movie Maker to produce a WMV file which I find works better with YouTube.
That is good to know, James. Lenovo does need to get the problem fixed with Easy Capture, though. A lot of folks are just going to use the standard software. Maybe Lenovo needs to look at bundling ArcSoft.
Good video!
Posted by: Rob | May 11, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Video good quality, especially over YouTube!
Posted by: Bryan | May 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Makes you wonder what manufacturers like Lenovo or HP (in the case of putting VISTA on the Mini) are expecting their users to think of these choices... I am not an Apple fan boy (and in fact don't own any Apple product other than an ancient IIe), but I don't think this would have slipped by Stevo.
Posted by: Oliver | May 11, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Hi James,
Thanks for making and uploading this video. Rob's experience was disappointing to see, and while included software should work, I'm glad that you've shown us another avenue. I'll look into Arcsoft when I get my u110.
Question: I read a review (maybe Engadget? can't remember, anyway...) that said that the screen was extraordinarily grainy. In fact, the reviewer said that more than thirty minutes of looking at the screen resulted in a headache. Does your unit have a grainy screen? Does it give you headaches?
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Poster | May 12, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Jennie, this screen is one of the brightest and vivid screens I've used. I don't see how anyone could call this screen grainy.
Posted by: James Kendrick | May 12, 2008 at 05:53 AM
@Jamie Poster: Are you sure it was a U110 review? The only mention of grainy screen I've read in reviews recently said that about the new Asus e900. It was due to the protective coating over the screen, the writer said.
@jk: You left out what your smirk was all about there: "Suffer, Mike Cane, suffer! I have the U110, mwahahahaha!" Fiend!
Posted by: Mike Cane | May 12, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Hi Mike,
I found the review I was referring to. You can see it here:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4401
Here's the quote regarding the grainy screen: "The 11.1" WXGA (1366 x 768) screen on the U110 is nice and bright, but suffers from a significant degree of "graininess." There is a constant "shimmer" to the screen that makes reading text or watching movies a little frustrating."
I'm relieved to hear that James has a very different experience!
Posted by: Jamie Poster | May 12, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Hi James -
Does the U110 face recognition login recognize more than one face? Thanks.
Posted by: Alan | May 12, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Jamie, I just checked out that review and I couldn't disagree with that assessment more. This screen is drop dead gorgeous.
Alan, I believe each Windows account can have its owner enrolled but only one user per account.
Posted by: James Kendrick | May 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM
@Jamie Poster: That's the first time I've read of grain or shimmer in the screen. Joanna Stern at Laptop mag did say the screen was glossy enough to check her teeth for food(!), tho. I await J&R getting it in so I can fondle it. Maybe NR got a bum demo unit?
Posted by: Mike Cane | May 12, 2008 at 05:21 PM