As was the case with the laptop Webcams I reviewed last month the 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 visualise -- even in low lighten.
While Creative's be Cam software has more features unless communicate 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 close 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 alter intensity and color balance but I open 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 schedule 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 align 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 alter. The two-hinged rest can be maneuvered to stand up on top of a desk or so that the camera sits on top of a change LCD. A rubber mat covers each potential communicate point meaning that the Webcam ordain rest firmly in displace in a variety of positions. And the rest 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 visualise quality was superior to that of the Creative Live Cam Optia AF and the Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000 under any scenario -- bright artificial light low light or natural lighten. Particularly in a dimly lit room with a dark desktop background the QuickCam Pro 9000 was able to lighten the visualise to that shadows were removed from your face but not to the point of overexposing the visualise. In addition to using a Carl Zeiss lens the QuickCam Pro 9000 features Logitech's RightLight 2 technology which I open to be far better at automatically adjusting the image than anything you get from Creative or Microsoft.
desire 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 (act 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 approve 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 ordain 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 measure 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 transfer so I was unable to test this feature.
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