Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks
When we think of webcams, two companies come to mind Creative and Logitech. Logitech being the industry leader in Webcams. This Quickcam Pro for Notebook is another quality addition in Logitech’s product lineup of webcams. Below are some of the key selling points from Logitech.
Performance
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Carl Zeiss® optics: Get more detail and clarity from Carl Zeiss® optics. Logitech’s glass lens designed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss®, the global leader in camera optics.
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Premium autofocus: Your images stay razor-sharp, even in close-ups.
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HD video: Video calling and sharing has never looked so real at 960 by 720 pixels.
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Higher megapixel performance: A true two-megapixel sensor. Up to eight-megapixel photos (enhanced)*.
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RightLight™2 Technology: Adjusts intelligently to produce the best possible images in dimly lighted or poorly backlighted settings.
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Integrated microphone with RightSound™ Technology: Enjoy crystal clear conversations, free from echo** and annoying background noise.
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Ultra-wide field of view and intelligent face tracking: Keeps you right in the middle of the action.
Fun and Versatile
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12-inch desktop stand: Put your webcam at eye level when you’re not on the go.
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Premium travel case: Stores and protects your camera when it’s not in use.
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Logitech® Video Effects™: Personalize your conversations with hundreds of avatars and face accessories that mirror expressions and motion.
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Downloadable Fun Filters: Add video effects like fisheye, ’50s movie, neon, and more.
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Adjustable display clip: Works on notebook panels up to 20mm thick.
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Bonus software: Use bundled HP Photosmart Essential software to capture, edit, customize, and print images.
For $179 it’s not really cheap, but, you are paying for a quality product. In the box, there is a nice little pouch for you to keep the webcam in for travelling and a 30cm stand for times where you want to keep it on the desk our use it as a desktop cam. The webcam itself is small, roughly 6cm by 2.5cm. The clip behind it fits comfortably on a Lenovo X61 notebook. On top of that, there is also button on top of it for taking still photos.
The Carl Zeiss lens and 2MP CCD on it gives us one of the best image quality at the time writing. Further, Logitech’s RightLight 2 software does an amazing job of providing a great image under a variety of light conditions, including in low light where most Webcams struggle. Under normal office fluorescent light, the color balance and quality of the image is the best I’ve ever seen on webcams. Colors were vivid, and flesh tones were accurate. You can capture video at as fast as 30 frames per second and at one of three resolutions: 320×240, 640×480, and 960×720. You can take still pictures at 1.3-megapixel and 2.0-megapixel resolutions. With software interpolation, you can take 3-, 4-, and 8-megapixel pictures at the expense of sharpness. These qualities are essentially the must have for all webcams.
Software installation is pretty straightforward. I downloaded the latest QuickCam software from Logitech website, ran the installation then plug in the Webcam. An audio tuning wizard lets you optimize the volume for audio input and output. I just enabled RightLight and I’m good to go. No messing with contrast or brightness controls like other webcams.
Functionality wise, this webcam lives up to what was promised on the marketing materials. The auto focus feature works, albeit not as fast a DSLR, I would say it’s as fast as a normal point and shoot camera. The face tracking works most of the time if you do not make huge movements of your head. Audio recording from the included microphone is reasonable. Lastly, the video works on like a charm on MSN Messenger, Live Communication Server and WebEX.
Another additional goodie in the QuickCam software is the intuitive interface. Large rounded buttons are provided for recording video or snapping a picture. Resolution can be changed easily on the inteface. The recorded videos and photos are listed as thumbnails at the bottom of the QuickCam window. Videos are recorded as WMV files and are played back using Windows Media Player.
The QuickCam software
Changing Resolution
Settings
If you are in the market for a webcam either for your notebook or desktop, the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebook should be one of the forerunners in your list. It’s well built, delivers great quality images and easy to setup. You know you NEED IT!
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