Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

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

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

• 2-megapixel sensor helps to improve both clarity and color
• Automatic autofocus smoothly readjusts as you move around the screen
• Double-hinged clip easily fit on a variety of laptop and monitor surfaces

• While capable of capturing HD-quality video, you can only utilize this for video saved to hard drive

terrific quality
optical quality was amazing.
Made me wonder why I paid a few hundred dollars for a movie camera... oh yeah: portability and zoom lens. But if you like making movies of yourself, for example to answer questions clients ask, I can't imagine an easier set up. Presently, my webinar program limits the resolution to 320 by 240, however.
Stanley A. Terman, PhD, MD; Board Certified in Psychiatry; Medical Director, Caring Advocates.

Very speed intensive
This product has a great picture but it is very high in the CPU usage. On Skype the picture is very slow. The product literature says that you need the duel processor to get full usage.

Excellent with Skype!
I love this webcam. Got it to use with Skype and the quality is exceptional. I did choose to turn off the RightLight option as it showed movement better without it. I tried some fingerspelling and signing and the other person could understand me perfectly. I'm not sure why some people here had problems with Skype -- perhaps it was an old version of Skype as the current version sure works well for me. I also chose to use my own microphone, and the QuickCam software recognized it automatically and used that instead of its own builtin mike. I tried it without the external mike and that worked fine too, I just like the external mike better. This is a wonderful buy!

Yes, it works with Linux -- HD and all.
Worked with Skype the moment I plugged it into the USB port. That's under Linux (Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex), mind you -- apparently the uvcvideo driver it requires was part of the standard install as this is my first ever webcam. Now getting the HD resolutions and frame rates is more of an exercise (google for CaptureWidth/CaptureHeight and uvcdynctrl). I am currently seeing 960x720 with very decent optical quality and backlight processing but the frame rates are somewhat lagging. This may well be an issue with Skype itself or with the driver though. Overall the hardware shines but it would be nice to have a graphical utility for quick control tweaks. I won't be holding my breath for one :)

Logitech 931690-0403 VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks (Black)

Logitech 931689-0403 MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse (Black)

Logitech Pro 9000 Webcam Bundle

Logitech V470 Bluetooth Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks - White

Logitech 960-000111 QuickCam Orbit AF (Black)

Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks

Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB Headset

Logitech ClearChat Pro USB Headset

Logitech USB Desktop Microphone

Logitech Premium Notebook Headset

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 & More...