Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam

Information

What do you think when you hear or see the word "webcam"? Creating YouTube videos, communicating over long distances with video calling, or perhaps online "TV shows" which show you every bit of a person's daily life? Across the globe, the Internet has brought an explosion of video to the computer monitors of hundreds of millions of people, and much of it is produced and delivered via the webcam.

Today we're going to take a look at the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, a higher-end product that delivers a wide range of features in an easy-to-use hardware and software package. If you're looking for a great webcam that doesn't require a computer science degree to set up and enjoy, this webcam is for you.

One of the first things you'll notice when removing the QuickCam Pro 9000 from its packaging is the simple, yet attractive, black-and-chrome design and finish. This is one of the more visually appealing webcams on the market - it's designed to fit in with the other high-tech gadgetry one would have on their desk or in their office.

We're pretty sure that the next thing you'll notice is the clamp and hinge that is used to mount the webcam. The QuickCam Pro 9000 will attach just about anywhere you'd like to mount it, stationary or not. Thanks to the very light weight of the webcam, you're spared the webcam "slippage" that is common with many webcams when mounted. There's nothing worse than having your webcam sliding down your monitor while you're having a chat with Grandma, or giving a sales presentation via the web.

The QuickCam Pro 9000 connects to your computer via a standard USB connection, and comes with six feet of cable length. The built-in microphone resides at the opposite end from the camera lens and, aside from a small button to take a still picture, there are no controls to speak of.

Features

One of the main features of nearly every product Logitech produces is the easy installation, and the QuickCam is no exception. After installing the supplied software, you'll be enjoying your new webcam without any undue stress.

The QuickCam Pro 9000 comes with Logitech's RightLight feature, which is intended to address the most common complaint among webcam users: lighting problems. RightLight is a mix of hardware and software that works to improve the webcam's picture quality under varying lighting conditions, with the main issues stemming from a low ambient light level. We used a dimmer switch to quickly raise and lower the lighting in the room and the QuickCam responded well to the rapid changes in lighting, adjusting the image to ensure a high quality picture. RightLight is a nice "added bonus" that you'll appreciate when using the webcam at night or in low-light conditions.

Logitech has decided to pair the QuickCam with a Carl Zeiss lens - you've likely heard of them through Sony's line of digital still cameras. Without question, the addition of the Carl Zeiss lens to a webcam is meant to usher in a new era of picture quality, and this is made clear with the QuickCam Pro 9000. Logitech advertises that you'll be able to capture video in HD at up to 30 frames per second - in practice you'll need a very well lit environment without too much fast motion to succeed at this. However, it is without question that this is the premier webcam on the market when it comes to image quality.

Usage

When using the QuickCam with Logitech's supplied software, you'll notice two different modes: QuickCam and QuickCapture. QuickCam is the main webcam mode, used for displaying live video through the webcam. The QuickCapture mode lets you take still photographs or make a video and audio recording with the QuickCam, which can then be stored on your computer and used in the future.

Also included with the software are various effect modes that are more for amusement than any serious function. You'll be able to employ some simple video effects, like laying a picture over the webcam's video feed, or distorting the image. If you've got children around this will be a source of great amusement for them.

You can also adjust the focus, brightness/contrast level, color balance/intensity, zoom and tilt to ensure you've got the QuickCam's picture the way you want it. The QuickCam also supports "face tracking", which does what it says: the QuickCam picture will focus and follow on your face while you are sitting in front of the camera.

The QuickCam should work automatically with any program that supports webcam usage, such as Skype or other instant messaging software, video capture software or even via Adobe Flash through supported websites. We didn't run in to any issues when testing the webcam with various software programs.

Conclusion

In the past, consumers were happy with just about anything when making a webcam purchase. However, with the introduction of high-definition video and greater Internet bandwidth, the times have changed and people are increasingly looking to better and better solutions for their video needs. Logitech's QuickCam Pro 9000 satisfies those needs while delivering a top-notch user experience in an attractive, easy to use package.

The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is not the least expensive webcam on the market, yet it delivers the value that a premium product should. If you're looking for a high-quality webcam that offers superb picture quality with a great set of features, the QuickCam Pro 9000 is a great purchase.

How much is the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam?

The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam retails at $76.56 in the UK from Pixmania but we have scoured the internet to find this at a much cheaper rate.

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