Electronics : Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

In association with Amazon.com
  

from: Logitech

: Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
variant image variant image variant image variant image variant image variant image variant image variant image variant image variant image
List Price: $99.99
Amazon.com's Price: $73.28
You Save: $26.71 (27%)
Prices subject to change.



Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
More Information


This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Logitech
Color: Black
EAN: 0097855044914
Format: CD
Label: Logitech
Manufacturer: Logitech
Model: 960-000048
Native Resolution: 1600x1200
Platform: Windows
Publisher: Logitech
Sales Rank: 15
Studio: Logitech
Warranty: 2 years warranty

Features:

Related Items:

Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Enjoy image-perfect detail and clarity. Carl Zeiss optics and Autofocus keep images razor-sharp, even in extreme close-ups.

Amazon.com Product Description:


As Internet connections have matured to faster and faster broadband pipelines, webcam manufacturers have been keeping pace with higher resolutions and improved optics to take advantage of the larger bandwidth. And more than just communicating over chat and VoIP, webcams are increasingly used to broadcast Truman Show-esque live video feeds of one's every move (such as at Justin.tv) as well as high-quality mini-movies uploaded to sharing sites. And that's where the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 really shines, with its 2-megapixel image sensor, smooth-tracking autofocus, high-end Carl Zeiss optics, and HD video capabilities (with the capability of recording video at 960 by 720 pixels).



The combination of Logitech's RightLight technology and 2-megapixel Carl Zeiss optics produce improved clarity and lighting (Pro 9000 on the left, MacBook integrated camera on right--both captured in the same lighting conditions).


Add a variety of special effects from filters (above) to facial accessories (below).
First, a little about Logitech's touted technological and optical advantages. Designed by Carl Zeiss (known for high-end film and digital camera lenses), the Pro 9000's optics use a five-element lens arranged into four optical elements. As a result, the lens focuses the light onto the sensor with maximum detail and minimal aberrations. The 2-megapixel lens also offers an autofocus mechanism that automatically adjusts as your face moves about. It also incorporates Logitech's RightLight and RightSound technologies, which improves the webcam's image quality under difficult lighting conditions and provides noise cancellation, respectively.

We found the autofocus feature to be much smoother than another similarly specced webcam from Creative that we previously reviewed (which felt stuttery to our video chat partners), and the RightLight feature was able to render an image of our face in both highly backlit and low-light situations--something that other webcams we've tested have completely failed at. And the combination of RightLight, Carl Zeiss optics, and the two-megapixel sensor helped to enrich both the clarity and the color of our images.

While it's true that broadband Internet has gained speed, unfortunately none of the major chat or VoIP programs are can stream the high-definition video (960 by 720 pixels) that the Pro 9000 can capture. Thus, this feature is really only usable for recording video to your hard drive and either uploading to a video sharing service like YouTube or for inclusion into a movie project to be burned to disc. The Pro 9000 also enables you to take still images at larger than its native 2-megapixel sensor via software interpolation (up to an 8-megapixel resolution). Note, however, that shooting at a higher resolution causes a lengthier shutter lag.

The Pro 9000 offers easy plug-and-play operability on either a Windows PC or a Mac--just slide in the USB 2.0 plug, select the camera from your chosen video chatting program (it works seamlessly with Skype, Yahoo!, Windows Live, SightSpeed, and iChat), and you're good to go. While the Pro 9000 works brilliantly right out of the box, you'll only be able to take advantage of software add-ons such using the included QuickCam software (which is for Windows users only).

The QuickCam Control Panel is where you can select from a host of special effect add-ons that range from a selection of avatars (such as a dinosaur or cat) to facial accessories (including a crown and Borg hardware), and a variety of filter effects. The avatars didn't seem especially responsive unless we were overly hyperactive, but the limited face add-ons and filters were more successful (with our favorite being the rotoscope animation effect).

The double-hinged clip on the back of the lightweight Pro 9000 can be articulated to fit both the thinnest notebook screens to thicker LCD TV/monitors. A rubberized is placed right below the camera housing to help prevent slippage, and the camera itself can smoothly tilt up and down about 90 degrees. The Pro 9000 has a single microphone on its right side, and while the left side has a control button that automatically opens the Logitech QuickCam software. And in the middle is a Logitech logo, which is given a red glowing halo when the camera is recording. It uses a single USB connection that does not require external power.

With its arsenal of optical advancements combined with an invitingly affordable price tag and easy portability, the QuickCam Pro 9000 is a great alternative to the standard VGA/1.3-megapixel cams built into notebooks. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros: Cons:



Customer Reviews
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars - OK, maybe it's just me....but.....
"UPDATE"...Perhaps this review and the current update will help others, however, the original review was yesterday and now this update continues with my progress overnight...I did get the camera up and running and would change the rating to a 4 out of 5 stars but I cannot change the stars via this edit...I ended up going to the "Logitech" site and dowloading the current drivers. I only loaded the drivers and did not use the disk that came with the camera. With just the drivers loaded I went directly to "Skype" and it works great. No glitches or problems in my first online event with this camera. I did change the mike default on "Skpye" to get the audio to acknowledge using the Logitech 9000's mike but beyond that, I had absolutely no problems...I still got the error "1719" but gave up fiddling with it anymore thinking that if it's working, why risk more grief just to get their software working...the driver download from the Logitech site did the trick! Quality of video and audio is excellent...My original review follows...OK, I just got the Quickcam Pro 9000 in this afternoon so perhaps a lame rating at this point is not fair, however, this is the first software I have attempted to load on my Windows Vista 64 Home Premium that simply would not even install. The error code "1719" problem appeared for the very first time so I must say that I am less than pleased that I cannot even get to square one without going into the registry and changing who knows what...I just feel that this darn thing should work without all the problems...sorry, call it skill level, a slow operator or whatever, however, the bottom line is, when I install a new program, I just am not interested in rebuilding the wheel to get the darn thing to work. Yes, I have gone into several forums and read about the same problem but the fixes are all over the board...I did expect some software related problems when I got this HP computer with Vista Home Premium / 64 bit, however, this is actually the first time I have had this issue and I have installed several programs with absolutely no problems. I would welcome any comments but I really hesitate to get into the registry to get my computer to sync with this program when others are working perfectly. Now, please do not let my review influence your decision to buy this product as I have not yet done my homework nor contacted Logitech to get the problem resolved...and, point being, why should any of us have to go through all these activities to get things up and running? Comments would be welcome. I will come back and admit my lame skill level if someone can suggest a simple fix...otherwise this camera will be sent back before the sun sets tomorrow!


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Look no further. Great for MAC OS X 10.4 & later.
I have been using it for more than one month now. Amazing clarity and colors. No need to change any setting. Right Lite technology and autofocus works well. It is pricey compared to other cams but there is no comparison. This is the best webcam available at this time. also, it works with MAC OS X (10.4 and above). MAC USERS can use vision pro for mac but this one is fine too. Both Pro 9000 and Vision Pro for mac will work only with ichat. THEY (BOTH) WILL NOT WORK WITH YAHOO MESSENGER IF YOU HAVE BUILT IN ISIGHT CAMERA.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Wonderful Camera!!
I love this video camera! I use it with Skype and talk to my sister(who lives several states away). The picture is clear and the mic is great on it. It's ALMOST like being there. It's a nice looking camera,as well and very unobtrusive. I highly recommend it. :)


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - logitech 9000
I originaly had purchased another web cam and could not get it to work on my new computer which has windows vista. I purchased the Logitech 9000 and was skeptical that it would work. It is wonderful just put the softwear in and plug the cam in and your ready to use it. Everyone that I chat with commented on the clarity of the picture and the good sound that it has. I would recomend this web cam to anyone with vista, it is fantastic.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Great camera with great picture quality!
The picture quality is great, and it works well with Skype (the driving force behind the purchase). The mechanism for holding the camera on the laptop is genius and seems that it would work with any laptop and probably most LCD monitors as well. The bundled software is junk, I didn't even bother.

see more


More Information
Browse for similar items by category:

 

HOME

Free Ajax Scripts - Mortgages - Wester Union - Loans - Loans