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Computer add-ons
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Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
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Sale Price: $73.91
List Price: $99.99
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Usually ships in 24 hours |
The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is a great all-around web-cam and perhaps the best value in high end models. While there are certainly more affordable models and a couple of higher end models, this one really hits the sweet spot in combining great value and top of the line features.I recently got to really test Microsoft's LifeCam VX-5000. It's a good all around webcam at a reasonable price, but it has some weaknesses. As such it provides a good counterpoint from which to compare the Quick Cam Pro 9000. While the VX-5000 is an improvement over older models, it still has some of the weaknesses we typically associate with web-cams. But at least in a few key areas the Quick Cam Pro 9000 overcomes those weaknesses.Pros+ Video quality is very good, and can be used for professional (work) video conferencing if you wish+ The video capture rate performs much better than competing devices I have tried+ The microphone sensitivity is above average, but demanding users may still want to use a dedicated microphone+ The highly touted low light performance and auto-adjustment works very well and not as well as the + The software includes less unneeded software than the VX-5000+ The HD video resolution can scale to full screen depending on your video resolution settings+ The included software is very easy for non-techies to install and configure using simple buttons + Ability to zoom, pan and tilt are nice standard extras+ Nice video effects, though they take some time and experience to use+ Advanced features are just a click away, allowing customized settings+ Nice indicator light alerts you to when webcam is capturing+ The options to take a snapshot, record video or record sound are nice and useful for basic multimedia stuffCons- The price may seem somewhat high for those who only want a basic webcam- The base is not the best design for working with a variety of monitors- Still has some software and driver issues for some versions of Windows- Not as much support for Mac users in terms of Logitech softwareComparing Against The AlternativesThe Logitech's Quick Cam Pro 9000 offers a true 2.0 megapixel sensor, but can create pictures that are the equivalent of 8.0 megapixels via interpolation. This is on the higher end of picture quality captured by the current generation of high end web-cams. The Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000 also offers a true 2.0 megapixel sensor. Conversely, the VX-5000 only gives you 1.3 megapixels, and those are interpolated up from the VGA resolution that is captured by the camera. Interpolation basically means the resolution is not based on the direct sensor but are *enhanced*. The native sensor capacity definitely matter more than the interpolated values, and the Pro 9000 has admirable numbers.Since the 9000 has a better built-in sensor, one would expect it to capture better video than the VX-5000 and it does. But it also captures better video than the VX7000 despite the similar listed sensor capabilities. Both the 9000 and the Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 capture high definition video, but once again the 9000 can capture a higher resolution.Perhaps the difference is in the Zeiss optics. Now I am not your typical consumer when it comes to optics, having worked with optics professionally as well as for academic reasons. Name brand doesn't always tell you that the optics are *good* because all optics manufacturers produce a range of products from low to mid-range to high end. In this case, the visual quality definitely seems to be enhanced by some good quality internal optics. I have read they are real optical glass, but I haven't disassembled my unit to confirm that claim. ;-)So if you really want a very clear picture and don't mind spending twice as much, then the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is for you. It definitely has a better auto-adjustment feature than the VX-5000 that allow it to adapt more quickly and accurately to changing light conditions. It also has an auto-focus feature that seems to work very well too.The Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF is another high end camera that also has some auto-focus features at a higher price tag, around $100. Unlike the Pro 9000, it has a telescoping arm that allows you to extend the camera height more easily and as such it doesn't need to be rested on top of your monitor. Do your research depending upon your needs.If you need an inexpensive webcam and don't need high definition video, look into the VX-5000. If you want a higher quality unit that can be used easily under a variety of lighting conditions, the Pro 9000 is one of the best options.Enjoy! Have had the camera about a month now...never any problems, worked straight out of the box and software caused no issues for my aging Win XP desktop machine. I am an expat Brit, living in the USA and use the camera for Skype calls to my family in England. They all tell me the image is amazing (they have more basic cameras, so I get to see a lot of indistinct images of them, sadly); In consequence, my dad intends to upgrade to the QuickCam Pro 9000 because it works so well. I am even able to show people scenes outside my home office window, and the autofocus and auto-lighting features cope perfectly well when moving from a darkish room to a very sunny day outside. I am able to pan around to show objects in the room, printed materials, our dogs...all in correct focus and with great clarity. The Pro 9000 easily copes with the variety of lighting conditions I encounter throughout the day. I have also used it for a webinar/video conference from my university and it worked great for that, too. I bought the Pro 9000 to replace a very disappointing Philips webcam that actually cost more money! So far, after quite a lot of use, I have been very impressed and have recommended it both to friends and family.I have been using this Web Cam for the last couple of weeks. The picture quality is superb, and even in very dim lighting condition, the sharpness and brightness of the images are superb.I have noticed one problem with the cam, though. Due to the curvature or other optical aspects of the lens, your face or body may look a little out of proportion towards the corners of the image. But if your face is at the center of the image, this problem is not there.Another issue is that although the cam and the bundled software can record video in HD, the video is not image-stabilized. Therefore, if there are fast moving things, you can see blurred movements in the video.Anyway, I'm happy with the QuickCam 9000! The viewers acknowledge that they get crisp and clear images. The bundled software gives a lot of ways to amuse the viewers at the other end! :-)Had some issues at first with Skype, the main reason for buying this. But after getting the latest DirectX installed, it worked fine. Not sure if it can be used as a security webcam but it does have some pretty nice software that enhances the image -- pretty wacky, some of them, to the amusement of the viewers! It's been working great for the past 3 months and I have no complaints.I spent a little more than I had planned to on a webcam, but the money was well spent. This is clearly a newer generation of webcam than the old counterparts that were the video equivalent of stuttering and stammering. The optics and clarity are excellent, and the camera smart enough to adjust for even the most unforgiving light and speed environment. It senses and corrects most everything thrown at it, from fast movement to harsh backlight. The color is true to life and vivid. The audio is clear.Setup was simple. I installed the companion software without a hitch and it was ready to go. There are some features that are pure fluff and novelty, but I did play around with them briefly. Turning myself into a talking cat is not something I think I'll need in the future, but some folks would find it fun. The field of view is nice and wide. I use it to keep the family in touch, so several of us sit around the camera to communicate. It accomodates everyone without a problem.The only thing I struggled with and never did get to work to my satisfaction was clipping it onto my notebook. It doesn't so much clip as "drape" so any substantial movement to the laptop would cause it to fall. But all in all, stellar optics and audio make this an excellent choice for those looking for clarity and smooth, non-jumpy webcam.
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