Do NOT buy Logitech or Labtec webcams!

[polobunny]

Today I was talking with a girl I met, and we decided to do a webcam chat on MSN.
She used to tell me I was "blocky" (I assumed she meant pixelish/cut :P), but I thought she was kidding. So this time I guided her thru a PrintScreen session.
The results came out horrible. I was much uglier on her picture than on mine! (Yes, that's possible)
So I went experiencing, uninstalled everything I could think of that could produce those results. Codec packages, FFDSHOW, video drivers, VIVO drivers, everything I swear. I connected it to a different computer, used older drivers. I came to the conclusion it was the webcam drivers overall. Two of my webcams do that. I was able to do a PrintScreen by running two instances of MSN Messenger (polygamy patched) and putting them side by side. The right picture is the "webcam starter" and the left picture the "webcam receiver".

Now if you don't know, Labtec and Logitech are essentially the same company. For a fact, if you check the drivers, they're both the same with the product ID modified.
Also, you can ping logitech.com and labtec.com. Same IP. I do think it's enough proofs now, so on to the pictures. I do know the quality is not excellent on any of both, but you can clearly see the quality is downgraded on the left one, even when you're viewing it on the same computer. Now why they do that, no idea, but i'm pretty sure they know that problem since a while. Maybe they're trying to push their higher end models, I wouldn't know. I just know i'll NEVER recommend a Labtec or Logitech webcam to anyone. Take in note that a normal user wouldn't know that, he'd think everything is "ok" as he sees the right picture, not the left one. Only his friend sees the left one.

First picture: Labtec Webcam
Second picture: Logitech Quickcam Messenger


Hey sexy (ok whatever, that's not the point)


End of rant. Share the word if you like. I believe I pretty much tested those webcams toroughfully.

Edit: I should add that the issue does not occur with an Intel webcam.

[Lead Head]

Actually, thats a result of MSN scaling down the bitrate to be friendlier with smaller connections. The bitrate those webcams put out can actually be relatively high compared to some peoples internet connections. Thats why it looks good on your view, but crappy on theirs. Its scaling a several hundred kb/s video stream, down to 100 kb/s or less. I know yahoo instant messenger has an option that lets you chose between performance, or quality, and even a high quality super webcam mode.

[gvblake22]

Have you tried other webcams to see if the same problem exists before bashing Logitech/Labtec?

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Have you tried other webcams to see if the same problem exists before bashing Logitech/Labtec?

See my edit at the end of my post. Yes, an Intel webcam and the problem does not occur.
Also Lead Head was trying to make me stream something with VLC to test it further. Not working, but that should prove it.

Edit: At any rate, whether or not it works better with VLC it's still attrocious as this does not happen with an Intel webcam. Microsoft 1 - End user 0. :P
I am also going to buy a Creative webcam Monday to further test this.

[gvblake22]

Interesting. Looking forward to your results...

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Interesting. Looking forward to your results...

I don't expect anything else than what I got with the Intel webcam, a clear picture.

[polobunny]

My sincere apologies to Logitech, the problem is introduced by MSN and apparently occurs only with Logitech and Labtec webcams :/

Now to decide what to do. Dump MSN, or dump the cams.

[One4yu2c]

Any clarification on why the problem occurs with those specific manufactures? And do you know if it happens with all models by Logitech and Labtec, just the lower end units, etc?

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Any clarification on why the problem occurs with those specific manufactures? And do you know if it happens with all models by Logitech and Labtec, just the lower end units, etc?

Apparently happens with Quickcam Express and Quickcam Messenger in Logitech brand. As for Labtec, happens with Labtec Webcam Plus. Doesn't happen with older beige Labtec Webcam (that's the model). Dunno for the grey one. I'll try to look into this with Logitech, though they were never really fast on writing drivers. Took a damned while for Vista drivers and they are barely fixing XP64 drivers...

[JazzyJake]

lol i was about to say msn doesn't exactly care for the cheap logitech ones, i had a similar problem myself =P