Review : Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 / QuickCam Pro 9000
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The good: Carl Zeiss lens and Logitech's RightLight
technology combine to deliver superior image quality, especially in
low light; 2-megapixel sensor lets you shoot video up to 1,600x1,200
resolution; included QuickCam software is polished and easy to use;
flexible stand works equally well on top of a monitor or a laptop or
resting on a desk.
The bad: QuickCam software isn't optimized for Macs, so
you're left without the audio and video optimization technology and,
less importantly, the goofy video effects and filters.
The bottom line: The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 offers a
winning combination of stellar image quality, easy-to-use software,
and a sturdy, stable stand. It's our Webcam pick for desktop and
laptop users alike.
Specifications: Gross sensor resolution: 2,000,000 pixels ;
Software type: Logitech QuickCam , Logitech Video Effects , Drivers &
Utilities ; Cables included: 1 x USB cable - 6 ft
The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is nearly identical to the QuickCam
Pro for Notebooks Webcam, except for the fact that it's a better
fit for laptops. This $99 desktop Webcam is larger than its laptop
sibling, but its flexible, two-hinged stand works equally well
resting directly on your desk or atop your desktop's LCD or your
laptop's screen. he QuickCam Pro 9000 delivers better image quality
than competing desktop Webcams from Creative and Microsoft.
Logitech's RightLight technology provides a well-balanced, vibrant,
and clear image--even in low light. While Creative's Live Cam
software has more features, unless motion capture surveillance or
time-lapse Webcam photography interest you, you're better off with
the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. With its easy-to-use software,
stellar image quality, and sturdy, flexible stand, it earns our
Editors' Choice award.
Installation is straightforward. Install the bundled QuickCam
software and then plug in the Webcam. An audio-tuning wizard lets you
optimize the volume for audio input (microphone) and out (speakers).
You can adjust sliders for brightness, contrast, color intensity, and
white balance, but I found the best results by enabling RightLight
and leaving it at that. I found many complaints online about
installation hiccups, particularly with Window XP machines, but I
experienced no trouble installing the QuickCam software and drivers
on either Vista or XP. I did have trouble when I installed the beta
11.5 drivers in an effort to test out the High Quality Video
announcement that Logitech and Skype announced last week (more on
that later), but the QuickCam 11.0 software that came on the bundled
CD presented no such difficulties. Also, be sure to close out of the
QuickCam software when using the Webcam to video conference with a
program like Skype. I had a conversation repeatedly come to an abrupt
end until I noticed the tiny QuickCam icon staring at me from my PC's
system tray and closed it.
My only complaint with Logitech's laptop Webcam I reviewed last
week was its awkward clip and vertical orientation, which, taken
together, resulted in the camera drooping forward or leaning to one
side somewhat regularly. No such problems with the QuickCam Pro 9000.
The camera is oriented horizontally, with the lens to the left and
the mic on the right. The two-hinged stand can be maneuvered to stand
up on top of a desk or so that the camera sits on top of a narrow
LCD. A rubber mat covers each potential contact point, meaning that
the Webcam will rest firmly in place in a variety of positions. And
the stand is made of thick, heavy plastic, which provides enough
counterweight to keep the Webcam from being easily jostled.
In testing, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000's image quality was
superior to that of the Microsoft
LifeCam VX-7000 under any scenario--bright artificial light, low
light, or natural light. Particularly in a dimly lit room with a dark
desktop background, the QuickCam Pro 9000 was able to lighten the
image to that shadows were removed from your face but not to the
point of overexposing the image. In addition to using a Carl Zeiss
lens, the QuickCam Pro 9000 features Logitech's RightLight 2
technology, which I found to be far better at automatically adjusting
the image than anything you get from Creative or Microsoft. Like the
other two desktop Webcams, the QuickCam Pro 9000 features a
2-megapixel sensor. It can record video up to a resolution of
1,600x1,200 and can snap still photos up to 8-megapixels (keep in
mind, anything above 2-megapixels comes by way of software
interpolation, which degrades quality).
The QuickCam Pro 9000 doesn't put AF into its model name like
Creative's Live Cam Optia AF, but it does have an auto-focus feature.
It's slow to react when recording video at any of the available HD
resolutions (960x720 and up), but does a reasonable job of keeping
your talking head in focus. The microphone does an acceptable job of
picking up audio; just be sure you're not sitting to close to the
Webcam.
The bundled QuickCam software features a pleasing interface and is
very easy to navigate. Large buttons are provided for recording video
or snapping a picture, and changing the resolution of each is dead
simple. Your recorded videos and photos are listed as thumbnails at
the bottom of the QuickCam window. Videos are recorded as WMV files
and played back using Windows Media Player. Logitech's face-tracking
features mean you get an assortment of 3D avatars and other video
effects, which are fun if you want to surprise your friends with a
video call from a shark or a reptile or a wild-and-crazy guy with an
arrow through his head. While Macs will recognize this plug-and-play
USB device (not tested), you'll be left without the services of the
video (RightLight 2) and audio (RightSound) optimization apps as well
as the video effects and filters.
Logitech doesn't bundle a video-messaging app, but it works with
all the popular IM clients, including those from AOL, Windows, and
Yahoo, plus Skype, which I used for testing. As I was testing the
QuickCam Pro 9000 last week, Logitech and Skype announced a
partnership to bring 640x480, 30-frame-per-second video to Skype
calls. Three QuickCams were mentioned in the release, including the
Pro 9000. Unfortunately, the updated version of Skype (3.6) necessary
for high-quality video calls is still not available for download, so
I was unable to test this feature.
Logitech backs the QuickCam Pro 9000 with a two-year warranty.
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Webcam
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Pros
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Cons
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Bottom Line
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Logitech
QuickCam Pro 9000
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Carl Zeiss lens and Logitech's RightLight technology combine to
deliver superior image quality, especially in low light;
2-megapixel sensor lets you shoot video up to 1,600x1,200
resolution; included QuickCam software is polished and easy to
use; flexible stand works equally well on top of a monitor or a
laptop or resting on a desk.
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QuickCam software isn't optimized for Macs, so you're left
without the audio and video optimization technology and, less
importantly, the goofy video effects and filters.
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The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 offers a winning combination of
stellar image quality, easy-to-use software, and a sturdy, stable
stand. It's our Webcam pick for desktop and laptop users alike.
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Logitech
QuickCam Pro for Notebooks
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Superior image quality, especially in low light; 2.0-megapixel
sensor provides higher resolution than your typical Webcam;
included QuickCam software is polished and easy to use.
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Poor design makes it a challenge to secure Webcam to a laptop;
not optimized for use with Macs.
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The Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks provides unmatched
image quality, but its design could be improved. While the clear,
bright video output will amaze, the constant readjusting of the
camera atop your laptop will annoy.
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Logitech
QuickCam Orbit
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Lens pans and tilts to automatically track your face;
innovative design places lens at eye level; excellent low-light
performance; built-in microphone.
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Face tracking can be temperamental; noisy mechanical movements.
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Its innovative design and mechanical face-tracking capabilities
make this top-of-the-line Webcam a true conversation piece.
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Microsoft
LifeCam VX-5000
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Excellent image quality, especially in low light; flexible
rubber stand provides a stable and versatile base.
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LifeCam application is lackluster; not compatible with Macs.
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Despite its uninspired software, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000
proves its worth with outstanding image quality, a funky and
useful design, and low price.
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Microsoft
LifeCam VX-5500
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Excellent image quality, especially in low light; flexible,
sturdy stand works on top of desktop or laptop; 3D video effects
improve on past efforts; low price.
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LifeCam application remains lackluster; not compatible with
Macs.
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The Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500 is a well designed, affordable
Webcam with excellent image quality.
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Apple
iSight Camera
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Stylish design; flawless integration with iChat and iMovie;
minimal setup required; great image and color quality.
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Image settings such as focus, color, brightness, and contrast
aren't adjustable; doesn't work with all instant-messaging
applications; pricey.
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With great image quality and integration, the Apple iSight is
the best choice for Mac owners who use iChat, but it isn't ideal
for users of other messaging clients.
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