Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 Review
February 1, 2011 • Computer Reviews, Webcam • Comments
The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is nearly identical to the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks Webcam, except for the fact that a better fit for laptops. This $80 desktop Webcam is larger than his brother laptop, but its flexible, two-hinged stand works equally well resting directly on your desk or on top of your desktop LCD monitor or laptop screen. The QuickCam Pro 9000 delivers better image quality than competing desktop Webcams from Creative and Microsoft. Logitech’s RightLight technology provides a balanced, vibrant, clear images – even in low light. Although Creative Live Cam software has more features, unless motion capture surveillance or time-lapse webcam photography interests you, you’re better off with the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. With easy to use software, stellar image quality, and sturdy, flexible stand, it earns Editors’ Choice award.
Installation is simple. Install the bundled QuickCam software and then connect the Webcam. An audio tuning wizard lets you optimize the volume for audio input (microphone) and out (speakers). You can scroll for brightness, contrast, color saturation and white balance, but we found the best results because RightLight and leaving it at that. We found many complaints online about installation hiccups, particularly with Window XP machines, but experienced no trouble installing the QuickCam software and drivers on either Vista or XP.
We had problems installing the beta 11.5 drivers in an attempt to test the High Quality Video announcement that Logitech and Skype announced last week (more on that later), but the QuickCam 11.0 software on the supplied CD presented such difficulties. Also make sure to exclude from the QuickCam software when using a webcam to video conference with a program like Skype. We had several conversations come to an abrupt end, until we noticed the tiny QuickCam icon staring at us from the system tray and closed it.
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Our only complaint with Logitech’s QuickCam Pro for Notebooks is the awkward clip and vertical orientation, which, taken together, resulted in the camera hanging forward or leaning to one side somewhat regularly. No problems with the QuickCam Pro 9000. The camera is oriented horizontally, with the lens to the left and the microphone on the right. The two-hinged stand can be maneuvered to stand 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 base is made of thick, heavy plastic, which is sufficient to compensate for the webcam that is easy to keep repressed offers.
During testing, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is the image 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 light. Particularly in a dimly lit room with a dark desktop background, the QuickCam Pro 9000 was able to see the image so that shadows were removed from a face, but not to the point of overexposing the image lighter. Like the other two desktop Webcams, the QuickCam Pro 9000 features a 2-megapixel sensor. It can record video to a resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 and can snap photos up to 8-megapixels (keep in mind, just above 2-megapixels comes by way of software interpolation, which degrades quality).
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The QuickCam Pro 9000 does not put AF into its model name, such as the Creative Live Cam Optia AF, but it does have an auto-focus feature. It is slow to respond while recording video at any of the available high-definition resolutions (960×720 and higher), but a reasonable job of keeping your talking head on screen. The microphone does an acceptable job of picking up audio, just not sure you sit close to the Webcam.
The bundled QuickCam software features a pleasing interface and is very easy to navigate. Large buttons are designed to record video or snap a photo 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 using Windows Media Player.
Logitech’s face-tracking features mean you get an assortment of 3D avatars and other video effects, the dragon if you want your friends to surprise with a video call from a shark, reptile or a wild and crazy guy with an arrow through his mind. While Macs will plug and play USB device recognition, you will be left without the services of the video (RightLight 2) and audio (RightSound) optimization apps as well as video effects and filters.
Logitech does not bundle a video-messaging app, but it works with all popular IM clients, including AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo and Skype. While Logitech and Skype announced a partnership to 640×480, 30 frame-per-second video to make Skype calls on the Pro 9000, required the updated Skype software was not available at the time of testing. Supports Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 with a warranty of two years.
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