Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Review

[One4yu2c]

Logitech is without a doubt one of the most recognized names in the computer industry, especially when it comes to peripherial products. So with that introduction it's obvious they don't need anyone to help them toot their horn, so we'll just stop right their. Logitech sent us their newest pair of QuickCams and we were interested in finding out exactly how much has improved since we reviewed their QuickCam and QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks last June. The inclusion of Carl Zeiss Optics, as listed on the box, was probably the most notable upgrade. But how much do the new lenses really improve the video quality? Stick with us as we take a closer look into hardware and software upgrades that came with these new QuickCams.
Matthew Page

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and QuickCam Pro for Notebooks

[drew and not u]

nah, i'll just stick with my crayons, construction paper, and snail-mail.

[screwballl]

my boss has the 9000 cam and he loves it.... his has a "multi subject" option so that it can zoom in and out automatically on up to 8 people.... we used it for a few work related things (yeah right) and the 2 person tracking was exceptional...
these cams are a bit pricey but well worth it if you actually use the options

[slugbug]

I have one which I bought a few months ago. I couldn't resist the price: $69.99 and a $50 rebate which makes it $19.99 before taxes The rebate should be here next week, it was mailed yesterday.

[PrOLifIC_onE]

That's one heck of a deal!

[Boy'nBlack]

About reviewing cams, I've built a serious question on quality.

When debating over the Creative Motion Pro and the QuickCam Orbit MP a few years back, the picture of the Motion seemed very good. Better than the MP, yet neutered on features. I took the better picture that I saw in reviews and took the Creative.

In use, I don't see the picture it's giving out. You start the Creative app and the picture is pretty much crap. I'd always ask others, "Does this look ok!? It's crap to me...". They reply that it's really good. The motion is fluid and not jerky like the Orbit, but what I see on my end is just some very grainy picture.

So not knowing what I know now, I recently got the QuickCam Orbit AF with the Zeiss optics. The app looks great, has the goofy features, yet the motion is still jerky. I'm happy based on that...so far. Well, I handed over the Creative Motion to the GF. When I'm at work and IM (poker), the picture is awesome! Last night I had her move over to the Orbit AF and it's much better, but the Creative is no way what I saw from the included application.

On to point: All the reviews I see use the application feeding back to base quality off of. If I had reviewed the Creative Motion, I would NOT have given it quality ratings anywhere near good. I would have been very wrong. Setting on the other side would have proven me wrong. The application just obviously stinks in not representing the actual output.

What is seen from the app:

(fighting the IM client to start video to get other end)

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

On to point: All the reviews I see use the application feeding back to base quality off of[...]What is seen from the app:

*GASP* How dare you compare us to 'other' review sites!?

But on a serious note, it's a point well taken, and can work in either direction (likewise, the bundled app could display a better pic than what others are seeing). When Matt reviewed the QuickCam Pro 9000, we (Matt and myself) sat in a video conference with each other, and I sent him back screen captures of what I was seeing on my end.

Lesson learned? Bookmark HL, those guys are good!...

[Boy'nBlack]

Oops. Past conflicted with, not to brown-nose too much, what I read here and brought up the question. Didn't actually mean to compare reviews/reviewers, but rather what has happened to myself and what I see here.

Hey, I lurked long enough to know I much prefer the reviews and non-biasing here than anywhere so far! It's either the first or the last place out here that has actual users looking at hardware. And not only that, but a place for even more random users to give their take openly and with credibility...love it!

Add to the fact that I don't have to wait 5 years to see reviews for products I actually like? Heck...I think I've seen 3 OCZ units in front of the gun in the last 3 months. I'm sold...feels like the old days.