Page 1:
Whatonce used to take place predominately at the local watering hole,social interaction has now turned digital. The web is abound withMySpace pages and a hodgepodge of instant messaging clients, includingSkype, our favorite communicative app here at HardwareLogic. But ifall you're doing is typing on these services, then you're still livingin the online equivalent of the stone age.
Enter the webcam. Sure, no one should be subjected to seeing HL forum moderator Jokerswildprancing around in his scivvies, and the last thing YouTube needs isyet another amateur striptease video. But these two examplesnotwithstanding, webcams need not leave viewers mentally scarred. Sending a son or daughter off to college makes for a bitter-sweetparenting milestone, and a webcam can help make the transition easierfor both involved. Or how about letting the little tyke wave to hisgrandma who lives all the way across the country? And it's not justuseful for keeping in touch with distant relatives either: Show thatmiser of a boss you called in sick because you really dolook like death warmed over, dazzle that would-be investor with yourcaptivating smile, take part in a video conference, set up arudimentary surveillance system, and the list goes on!
Now thatyou're convinced you need a webcam and inevitably feeling intense shamefor not owning one up to this point, we're going to look at twocandidates, both from Logitech, and both designed for notebooks: TheQuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe. Let the healing process begin...
| Logitech QuickCam | Logitech QuickCam Deluxe | |
| Application | Notebooks | Notebooks |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Still Photo | Yes (up to 1.3MP) | Yes (up to 1.3MP) |
| Video Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| Lens | Manual Focus | Manual Focus and Glass Element |
| Face Tracking | No | Yes |
| Backlight Compensation | No | Yes |
Bothcameras ship with their respective user's manual, a multiple languagewarning sheet instructing you to install the software prior to pluggingin the webcam, and the same driver CD. Earning its 'Deluxe' moniker,the QuickCam Deluxe also throws in a cloth carrying pouch
Froma physical standpoint, the Deluxe version differentiates itself fromthe standard model with a taller, slender design. Both come with abutton on top for taking still pictures, an integrated microphone, alight that indicates the camera is on, and a manual focus lens. Theyalso both sport Logitech's RightSound Technology, which purports to reduce echo and noise feedback.
The QuickCam Deluxe expands upon the feature-set with glass lens elements and another Right branded technology, RightLight. In theory, these should result in superior picture quality compared to the standard QuickCam, which we'll get to shortly.
The QuickCam Deluxe expands upon the feature-set with glass lens elements and another Right branded technology, RightLight. In theory, these should result in superior picture quality compared to the standard QuickCam, which we'll get to shortly.
TheQuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe use the same clip for attaching thewebcams to a notebook computer. They open just over an inch wide, andwith the rubber padded interior, can accommodate monitor widths nolarger than 7/8th of an inch. Most modern notebooks and LCD displayswill be slim enough to hold the QuickCams, but you'll have to getcreative if you plan to use either of these on an older, thicker model.
Lights,camera, action! The green LED (blue on the Deluxe) lets you know thecamera is on and broadcasting, and you're given about 45 degrees oftilt room to work with once mounted to your notebook or LCD panel. Word to the wise: Once you've established the distance betweenyourself and the camera, play with the manual focus ring to ensure aclear picture. Also note that these particular models are madespecifically for notebook computers, and unless your LCD display hasbuilt-in USB ports, you'll find the cords much too short to use on yourdesktop rig.
Logitechgives you a basic set of controls to fine tune the picture quality, andwe especially like the low light boost option. If you're in a dimlylit room or do most of your computing in the evening hours, the lowlight boost dramatically brightens the picture, particularly on thenon-Deluxe model. There's a performance hit when using the low lightboost, with the capture becoming noticeably less smooth.
TheDeluxe model also introduces face tracking, which allows the camera tofollow and zoom in on you as you move around. Wild movements and largeshifts in position will prove to be too much for the webcam to handle,but the camera does a good job of staying with you as you shift aroundnormally in your seat. Alternately, you can manually adjust the pan,tilt, and zoom.
TheDeluxe model also introduces face tracking, which allows the camera tofollow and zoom in on you as you move around. Wild movements and largeshifts in position will prove to be too much for the webcam to handle,but the camera does a good job of staying with you as you shift aroundnormally in your seat. Alternately, you can manually adjust the pan,tilt, and zoom.
Wefound the built-in microphone to be of decent quality, with goodsensitivity along with a noise canceling option and the RightSoundTechnology pointed out earlier. Or if you'd prefer to use your ownmicrophone, you'd simply select the appropriate device from thepull-down menu.
Underthe Advanced Settings menu, both the standard and Deluxe models allowyou to play with exposure and gain, though we found the automaticoption did a good job on its own. The QuickCam Deluxe also lets youadjust for backlight compensation, and both cameras are capable offlipping the captures horizontally (mirrored) or vertically (upsidedown).
Aboveall else, owning a webcam should be fun, and Logitech bundles a set ofvideo effects (dubbed Fun Filters) that keep things from getting tooserious. Effects range from sketched captures to old time movie reels,giving you ten different options in all. It's a neat novelty, albeitone that ultimately wears off after you've gotten a good laugh.
Thefirst thing you want to do after getting your webcam set up is toadjust the focus. We actually thought something was wrong with ourcamera when we first turned it on and was greeted with the blurrycapture seen above, but after turning the manual focus ring, capturequality improved dramatically.
Withour distance from the webcam established and the focus adjusted, wewere quickly in business. The two pictures in the left column weretaken with the QuickCam Deluxe, and the two on the right with thestandard model. Both webcams took good quality captures, with theDeluxe model doing a better job with flesh tones and taking the lead inoverall clarity. The Deluxe really pulled away in low lightconditions. In a darkened room, the standard model would display analmost all black picture without the low light boost option turned on,and after doing so, the resulting captures lost some of their color andvibrancy. The Deluxe model fared better in the dark, and the low lightboost didn't degrade the overall quality as much either.
Wementioned the inclusion of Fun Filters, and our favorite video effectwas the old time reel option, which brought back memories of the BlairWitch Project. Our gears were spinning as we drummed up ideas for thenext budget priced feature film, but ultimately decided we'd just usethe filters to goof off instead.
Warranty & Support
Logitech's online support system is well laid out and a cinch to navigate. Product support is broken down into individual categories, drivers and other software updates are a click away, and user forumsare provided as a stop-gap between the knowledgebase and contacting acustomer support representative. If you should need to call Logitechto receive an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization), you'll be treatedto a friendly agent and a largely hassle free experience.
Our Recommendation
Noteveryone will find themselves in a position needing a webcam, but associal interaction becomes increasingly digitized, those users couldfind themselves among the minority. Whether to keep in touch withrelatives or for work related use, your mug and voice ultimately trumpa typed IM, and most instant messaging clients now have webcamfunctionality built in. So for those where it's not a matter of whether or not to get a webcam, but which one to purchase, Logitech offers a pair of compelling choices for the notebook wielding crowd.
TheQuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks both displayed a clearpicture capture, both come with built-in microphones, and both allowsome extent of fine tuning the overall quality. The Deluxe ups theante with a better lens and more advanced options, all of whichtranslates into a sharper and more vibrant image, and it'll cost you anextra $20 for the luxuries. You also get movement tracking and acarrying pouch to help justify the cost difference.
Though thesewebcams are marketed towards notebooks, we would liked to have seen alonger USB cable, along with a wider clip for thicker displays, such asthose found on older model laptops and LCD panels. But aside fromthese minor quibbles, we're hard pressed to find too much to complainabout with either cam. Captures are good quality, you get 1.3MP toplay with (though interpolated, so it's a bit blocky at that size), thesoftware easily integrates with various instant messaging applicationsas well as both Outlook and Thunderbird email clients, and the funfilters are a gas. If you own a notebook and are in need of a webcam,put the Logitech QuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe on your list ofcandidates.
TheQuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks both displayed a clearpicture capture, both come with built-in microphones, and both allowsome extent of fine tuning the overall quality. The Deluxe ups theante with a better lens and more advanced options, all of whichtranslates into a sharper and more vibrant image, and it'll cost you anextra $20 for the luxuries. You also get movement tracking and acarrying pouch to help justify the cost difference.
Though thesewebcams are marketed towards notebooks, we would liked to have seen alonger USB cable, along with a wider clip for thicker displays, such asthose found on older model laptops and LCD panels. But aside fromthese minor quibbles, we're hard pressed to find too much to complainabout with either cam. Captures are good quality, you get 1.3MP toplay with (though interpolated, so it's a bit blocky at that size), thesoftware easily integrates with various instant messaging applicationsas well as both Outlook and Thunderbird email clients, and the funfilters are a gas. If you own a notebook and are in need of a webcam,put the Logitech QuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe on your list ofcandidates.