Product Description

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

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Logitech
• Model: 960-000048
• Platform: Windows
• Format: CD
• Dimensions: 8.86" h x 7.64" w x 3.35" l, 3.00 pounds
• Native resolution: 1600x1200

Features

• Box Contents - Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, USB cable (6-feet), QuickCam Software CD including Logitech Video Effects, one-click video e-mail, QuickCapture for photos, Windows Live Messenger, Skype with free full-screen video calling, video-enabled AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, HP Photosmart Essential application for capturing, editing, customizing, and printing images (Web download required) and Quick-start guide
• Conveniently clips to virtually any flat-panel monitor or notebook
• Logitech Video Effects - Personalize your conversations with hundreds of avatars and face accessories that mirror expressions and motion using Fun Filters to add playful photographic effects such as fisheye, '50s Movie Reel, neonize, and more
• Universal monitor clip mounts easily on any type of display or notebook computer
• Carl Zeiss optics

From the Manufacturer

As Internet connections have matured to faster and faster broadband pipelines, webcam manufacturers have been keeping pace with higher resolutions and improved optics to take advantage of the larger bandwidth. And more than just communicating over chat and VoIP, webcams are increasingly used to broadcast Truman Show-esque live video feeds of one's every move (such as at Justin.tv) as well as high-quality mini-movies uploaded to sharing sites. And that's where the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 really shines, with its 2-megapixel image sensor, smooth-tracking autofocus, high-end Carl Zeiss optics, and HD video capabilities (with the capability of recording video at 960 by 720 pixels).

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

Pros:

• 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

Cons:

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

From the Manufacturer

The Logitech® QuickCam® Pro 9000 Webcam features AutoFocus and Carl Zeiss® optics, allowing you to capture every detail and keep things sharp - even in the most extreme close-ups. Even in poor lighting, you'll get great looking images with the RightLight™2 Technology - which adjust for dim, side, and backlit situations. Plus the built-in microphone with RightSound™ Technology ensures your conversations are crystal clear.

		Performance Carl Zeiss® optics with autofocus: Get more detail and clarity from Carl Zeiss® optics. Your images stay razor-sharp, even in close-ups. See more in HD: Images have never looked so real, thanks to HD quality and 8-megapixel* photos. RightLight™2 Technology: Adjusts intelligently to produce the best possible images in dim light or backlighting. Integrated microphone with RightSound™ Technology: Enjoy crystal-clear conversations, free from echo** and annoying background noise. Ultra-wide field of view and intelligent face tracking: Keeps you right in the middle of the action.
		Convenience and Style Logitech® Video Effects™: Personalize your conversations with hundreds of avatars and face accessories that mirror expressions and motion. Downloadable fun filters: Add video effects like fisheye, ‘50s movie, neon, and more. Bonus software: Use bundled HP Photosmart Essential software to capture, edit, customize, and print images. Universal monitor clip: Mounts easily on any type of display or notebook computer.
Video Instant Messaging
Online communication has never been easier or more entertaining. Keep in touch with family, friends and co-workers by adding live video and audio to these popular Instant Messaging applications.

System Requirements

Windows® XP

• Pentium® P4 (or compatible) processor, 1.4 GHz (2.4 GHz recommended)
• 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)
• 200 MB available hard disk space
• 16-bit color display adapter
• Windows®-compatible sound card and speakers (full-duplex sound card recommended)
• USB port
• CD-ROM drive

Windows Vista™

• Pentium® P4 (or compatible) processor, 2.4 GHz (2.8 GHz recommended)
• 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
• 200 MB available hard disk space
• 16-bit color display adapter
• Windows®-compatible sound card and speakers (full-duplex sound card recommended)
• USB port
• CD-ROM drive

Technical Specifications

• Carl Zeiss® lens
• Autofocus system
• Ultra-high resolution 2-megapixel sensor with RightLight™2 Technology
• Color depth: 24-bit true color
• Video capture: Up to 1600 x 1200 pixels (HD quality)
• Frame rate: Up to 30 frames per second
• Still image capture: 8 million pixels (with software enhancement)
• Built-in microphone with RightSound™ Technology

Package Contents

• Logitech® QuickCam® Pro 9000
• Universal monitor clip
• USB cable (6 feet)
• QuickCam® Software CD, including:
  Logitech® QuickCam® applications—Logitech® Video Effects™, one-click video e-mail, QuickCapture for photos, webcamming software
  Applications for Windows®—Windows Live™ Messenger, Skype™ with free full-screen video calling, video-enabled AIM®, Yahoo!® Messenger with free video calling
  Bonus software—HP Photosmart Essential application for capturing, editing, customizing, and printing images (Web download required)
• Quick Start guide
• 2-year limited warranty

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Customer Reviews

Logitech makes a great webcam!
This has been a great tool to use...easy hook up even for a non-techie like me. Highly recommended!

Simply the best
This is the best inexpensive webcam for a PC, period.

There are cheaper, and in the future there will be better, but today, this is it.

nice product
This is our first webcam experience. We purchased it based on consumer reviews and the decent price. We bought two units so we can communicate by video with our granddaughters. Through skype software and cable internet connections, the images and sound are as good as we expected. It was easy to install and use. The Skype software is also easy to use. The additional video features make it even more fun and the novely has not yet worn off. We have not had any experience with other webcams or access software for compsrison.