Logitech has done much better....
Written: Oct 02 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy setup, flexible base, Standard Logitech interface
Cons: Re-setting the camera settings after each unplug, loose connection with base after three weeks.
The Bottom Line: Your money is better spent with a cheaper Logitech Web Cam.
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| Gambit624's Full Review: Logitech QuickCam Zoom Webcam |
The big reason I bought this camera was the price\feature combo. I needed a camera that had a built in microphone so my family and I could communicate with the In-laws back in New England. (I just recently moved from Mass. to Ohio). With the selection I was faced with at Best Buy, this seemed to have the right features that we needed, but some editing features that I could toy with just for fun.
Installing the drivers and software for the Quickcam was a breeze. No fuss, no confusing windows etc., nothing of that nature. The only thing additional I needed to do was configure the microphone to the appropriate level. It seemed to work at first, but everytime I've had to unplug the camera from the computer, it seems it forgets the settings, especially when I used MSN messenger for audio\video chats with my in-laws in MA. While it includes aides in helping setup, it can be aggravating if you have to set it up each time you use the IM program.
Picture quality is questionable. At times I get a good image, but usually it is very pixelated (I blame, to a certain degree, the DSL line I am using right now. However, even that isn't the complete culpurit.) I've tried various settings, tweaks, but nothing seems to improve it. The audio is good, however, when it does work. Just make sure that the speakers are not close to the microphone, or else the resulting feedback may be very irritating.
The camera itself looks like your standard Logitech webcam. Basically, a ball on a flexible stand. The stand is great, since I intially mounted it on a flat screen monitior. It worked great on it, and pretty much any stable object\surface I've mounted it on. The issue is the connection between the stand and camera. After three weeks, it seems to be a little loose. Since we want have it now in a fixed area, it isn't an issue, but once we want to move it, it becomes a slight hassle. Also, the cable is a decent length, so you can place it anywhere on your desk.
The software, as mentioned before, is easy to install. Using it can be a little challenging. I found the picture program to be adquate for it's job. Nothing special about it. The video capture tool is very simplistic, but it's meant to be that way.
For the amount my wife and I paid for this product, I feel like I got the short end of the stick in this deal. Not by much, but still the short end of the stick. I should have gone a little cheaper and gotten what I wanted.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
Gambit624
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Location: Columbus, OH
Reviews written: 100
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
With a limited budget, I just want to find the best products for my family.
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