Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam Review

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 with Built-in mic / RightLight & RightSound Technology / High-Speed USB 2.0 / Intelligent Face-Tracking Package Content - Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 Camera, 6 foot USB Cable, Adjustable Base, QuickCam Software CD, Camera Set-up Guide, Audio Set-up Guide, Stereo Headset.  Designed to provide a more enjoyable video calling experience, the Logitech® QuickCam® Pro 5000 exclusive video and audio technologies combine to ensure excellent VGA performance. Logitech's RightLight™ technology ensures sharp video and still pictures even in dim light, while RightSound™ technology provides clear, echo-free audio with or without a headset. The versatile monitor clip works on virtually any flat panel, CRT, or notebook display, and the activity light lets you know when you're "live." With the QuickCam Pro 5000, you'll enjoy a truly personal conversation online.

Features
VGA Sensor with RightLight™ technology
Superior video performance in low light situations.
Built-in Microphone with RightSound™ technology
Cancels echoes so you can make video calls without wearing a headset.
Logitech Video Effects
Express your unique personality by using Logitech Video Effects. Choose 3D animated avatars that imitate your facial expressions and head movements, or 2D face accessories that allow you to change your look with glasses, hats and more. They're fun and easy to use with programs such as MSN Messenger Video Conversation, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, and others.
Low Distortion, Ultra-Wide Field of View
With expanded video coverage and multi-person intelligent face-tracking, you can include friends and family without the distortion common in less-advanced cameras.

The rubber tail is much more flexible on the Quickcam Pro 5000. You can straighten the tail to lay flat on a desk or on top of a CRT monitor; or bend to put it on your LCD monitor. Unlike the Quickcam Pro 4000, the 5000 does not come with a second base to attach; I mean, there's really no need for it since you can just adjust the tail.

If you plan on taking lots of STILL pictures with the webcam, then the Fusion would be a better choice. The Quickcam Fusion is true 1.3 mega pixel; whereas the Quickcam Pro 5000 is 1.3 mega pixel INTERPOLATED -- meaning it is software enhanced to create a high resolution still picture. However, the whole point of a webcam is for video, anyway; they have digital cameras for taking still pictures. So, in terms of video, the Quickcam Pro 5000, overall, has a clearer video with more vibrant colors. However, bright light will look washed out in white. The Fusion doesn't do a good job with fast motion, as it will blur -- but it does, however, do a better job in low light conditions.

Technical Details Digital video camera Experience full-screen video and synchronized audio Enjoy clear, echo-free audio crisp images Two year limited warranty

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam Personal Review
Lots of people do not know the difference of CMOS sensor and CCD sensor... and that is the biggest impact on the quality of the images they will have with their webcam. The QuickCam Pro 5000 has a CCD (which is the best sensor) and this means a great light sensitivity. I had the QuickCam 4000 and since I was impressed with the quality, and all of my friends stated that the image of my webcam was really great (compared to the cheap ones), I decided to give my 4000 to my parents and get the new one. I'll try to stick to the facts, but first let me say that this little gadget has been awesome and has helped enrich the lives of my family by being able to keep in touch with family thousands of miles away.

Good picture quality, face tracking is cool, logitech extras are good. Hook up was easy. Directions were simple. I don't have a single complaint about this thing. In fact, I plan on buying some for my parents next Christmas so my new daughter can see and talk to her grandparents. Actually, there is not a whole lot of difference between both of them, and I keep most of the coments I had for the 4000 to the 5000. I was amazed with the quality of this camera, and believe me that all my friends mention the same thing... This is perfect for Web Conferences... I use it on Skype, MSN, and to record some movies with the software that comes with it.. Quality is Great !! The Microphone on it good as well... It may pick up the background noise, depending where it is located of course.. but in the overall it has a good quality...

Another plus for the Quickcam Pro is that it works with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Two qualifications, however. First, before you purchase a Quickcam Pro 5000, check your computer's specifications against the system requirements listed on the box. Your computer must be using a recent version of its operating software and have a processor speed faster than 500 MHz. The Quickcam Pro software will not install on a computer that can't handle the processing demands of streaming video images with 1.3 megapixel resolution. Second, for a social experience which is not constantly distracted by the breaking up of sound and images, it is really necessary to have a high-speed connection to the Internet. If these two conditions are met, you can look forward to endless hours of free, "almost as good as being there" visits with family and friends.

Another simple but real handy feature is the plastic cover that goes over the lens and will prevent it from beeing on and filming when you really don't want it...

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam Review II

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam Software
The Quickcam works seamlessly with instant messaging software freely available on the Internet. This software enables you and your correspondents to know when each other is online and available to engage in a video conversation. We have encountered some difficulties with MSN Messenger. Navigating the maze of commercially-oriented distractions, in order to acquire the necessary .NET Passport, which is a prerequisite to downloading MSN Messenger itself, can be a challenge. Downloading and installing Skype, on the other hand, is as easy and simple as installing the camera.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam Image Quality
The QuickCam provides superbly sharp images, adjusting itself automatically to maintain the right exposure level. Color balance depends on available lighting and is not automatic. For those who want to tweak the balance, rather than change the lighting, the software provides a means to adjust the balance to obtain the most pleasing color tones.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam Sound Quality
The QuickCam Pro comes with a built-in microphone, but I can't comment on its sound quality. My family had already been using headset microphones to carry on audio conversations, with Net2Phone and Skype. We split the audio signal coming out of the computer's sound card, with a duplex adapter picked up at Radio Shack. That way, we can hear through both the headphones and the speakers; turning down the speaker volume, if necessary to avoid echoes, and turning it up to share the conversation with others in the room. With the Quickcam Pro, we have so far simply continued to use the headsets, rather than change over to relying on the computer's speakers and the microphone built into the camera. If one keeps the speaker volume down and arranges their placement relative to the Quickcam's microphone, to avoid feedback, one could eliminate the fumbling around we now go through in locating, disentangling the wires and putting on the headset when a call comes in.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000  Must Know
According to the support email I got back from Logitech, which was no help, "The Logitech video cameras are compatible with the USB 2.0 specification, but not compliant. This means the Logitech camera will function properly when plugged into a USB 2.0 port, but the webcam feature will function with the USB 1.1 specifications. The biggest difference between the two USB specifications is speed. So the webcam will work and have full functionality, but it will run at the maximum 12Mbits/sec speed of the USB 1.1 specification."

The Logitech Pro 5000 has a wide lens of 63 degrees; the Fusion has a wider lens of 76 degrees. If you plan on using the webcam with lots of members, then the Fusion would probably do a better job of fitting everyone on the screen; however, if you plan to use it alone more often, the Logitech Pro 5000 would be a better choice.

Conclusion Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000
You can adjust the exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, white balance, gamma, mirror horizontal/vertical, etc. The microphone is located above the green LED on the webcam, and it does a really good job picking up sound.

If you prefer a more modern look then you'd probably lean more towards the Fusion; whereas the Quickcam Pro still has the early round eye-ball webcam 1.0 look. But personally, I like the black finish and silver rings on the Pro 5000; it goes well with my black monitor. However, what's more important is the video performance. Overall, the Quickcam Pro 5000 is one of the best webcams out there today. Don't settle for a cheap webcam; it's just a waste of money. Manually setting the sound inputs and outputs is necessary to make everything work, but that is easy to do. I also liked the special effects, all of which seemed to work well. I would recommend this to anyone that needs a moderately priced camera/microphone combo.

Where to buy? Buy.com, Office Supplies

Features: 9.0 Out of 10
Sound Quality: 9.6 Out of 10
Value: 9.5 Out of 10
Picture Quality: 10.0 Out of 10
Design: 9.0 Out of 10

Total Score: 9.42 Out of 10