I happened to search this thread as I have been trying to find a solution to my dark built-in webcam (CQ40-340TU) of my newly bought HP laptop/notebook. (Tried updating the drivers, etc to no avail)

In my case, I bought a Compaq Presario Notebook last Tuesday (Mar 3) in a shop here in the Philippines and the webcam worked well while I was at the computer shop (as it was brightly lit up). When I got home, I was very surprised that it was very dark. I brought it to the HP service center on Mar 4 and they too agreed that it was not working well and suggested for unit replacement.

On Mar 5, I have a new unit , but the issue still persisted. I searched online and found out your article/advice and like your HP Mini, the laptop/notebook I bought also has an opaque film cover which makes the webcam unusable at indoors.

Just thought I share this as it seems that other HP models are also having this issue.

Thanks and regards,
Melchor

Julie (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com) has both a Vivienne Tam edition like mine and a regular black Mini Note. She is going to get screensnaps of the webcam picture from each this evening. I will get a picture from mine.

Granted, this won't be as controlled a test as it would have been if I had all three laptops here together, but I think you will easily be able to see a significant difference.

With the film removed, the webcam on my Tam is as bright and usable as the ones on my Macbook Air and Macbook Pro.

1. What purpose does the film provide?

2. Why does removing the film fix dim light issues?

Understandably, the Mini Note starts at just $450 or so, and it is a budget laptop. But HP put a webcam on it, so it only makes sense that people buying this series should be able to expect a usable webcam. No one is necessarily asking for high performance – they just want usable.

The Tam edition's MSRP starts at $699, and many of the people who buy one may or may not care that the webcam doesn't work properly, but those who do want to use the webcam are going to be sorely disappointed when they realize that can't find a spot in their home or Starbucks that is well lit enough to make them visible, much less look good.

If removing the film makes the camera more usable, then why was it put there there in the first place?

Last week, many of you saw a video in which I removed a piece of film from the webcam on an HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition. I would like to ask that you do not remove the film. What I did not know at the time was that the film was purposely placed there during production and it is important that it stays there. My intentions were good, but I do not want any of you to risk damaging your Mini or risk affecting the warranty. When using your webcam, pick a place that is well-lit to get the best possible picture. The Mini is a great value. If a high-performance webcam is important to you, you can find them on our full-featured (but higher-priced) notebook PCs or by choosing to add a webcam accessory.

I offered my apology to the gals with whom I spent time in NYC on Friday – I feel so bad for giving them incorrect information and I hope you all will accept my apology.

Sincerely,
Sarah
Product Marketing Manager, HP

A small bit of paint or something fell into my case during the surgery; after I returned to my room I noticed it when the laptop was turned on and thought at first that it was a cluster of dead pixels, but it was just a bit of debris.

I was able easily to replicate Sarah's steps and blew the debris out. Cracking the case is actually very simple to do, and if you have a set like this one (http://www.geardiary.com/2008/11/03/holiday-gift-… ) you'd have the proper tools to safely do it.

Curious to see how widespread this issue is and whether a recall has to occur.