Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The good: Carl Zeiss lens and Logitech's RightLight technology combine to deliver superior image quality, especially in low light; 2-megapixel sensor lets you shoot video up to 1,600x1,200 resolution; included QuickCam software is polished and easy to use; flexible stand works equally well on top of a monitor or a laptop or resting on a desk.
The bad: QuickCam software isn't optimized for Macs, so you're left without the audio and video optimization technology and, less importantly, the goofy video effects and filters.
The bottom line: The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 offers a winning combination of stellar image quality, easy-to-use software, and a sturdy, stable stand. It's our Webcam pick for desktop and laptop users alike.
Review:
The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is nearly identical to the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks Webcam, except for the fact that it's a better fit for laptops. This $99 desktop Webcam is larger than its laptop sibling, but its flexible, two-hinged stand works equally well resting directly on your desk or atop your desktop's LCD or your laptop's screen. As was the case with the laptop Webcams I reviewed last month, the QuickCam Pro 9000 delivers better image quality than competing desktop Webcams from Creative and Microsoft. Logitech's RightLight technology provides a well-balanced, vibrant, and clear image--even ... Expand full review
The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is nearly identical to the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks Webcam, except for the fact that it's a better fit for laptops. This $99 desktop Webcam is larger than its laptop sibling, but its flexible, two-hinged stand works equally well resting directly on your desk or atop your desktop's LCD or your laptop's screen. As was the case with the laptop Webcams I reviewed last month, the QuickCam Pro 9000 delivers better image quality than competing desktop Webcams from Creative and Microsoft. Logitech's RightLight technology provides a well-balanced, vibrant, and clear image--even in low light. While Creative's Live Cam software has more features, unless motion capture surveillance or time-lapse Webcam photography interest you, you're better off with the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. With its easy-to-use software, stellar image quality, and sturdy, flexible stand, it earns our Editors' Choice award.
Installation is straightforward. Install the bundled QuickCam software and then plug in the Webcam. An audio-tuning wizard lets you optimize the volume for audio input (microphone) and out (speakers). You can adjust sliders for brightness, contrast, color intensity, and white balance, but I found the best results by enabling RightLight and leaving it at that. I found many complaints online about installation hiccups, particularly with Window XP machines, but I experienced no trouble installing the QuickCam software and drivers on either Vista or XP. I did have trouble when I installed the beta 11.5 drivers in an effort to test out the High Quality Video announcement that Logitech and Skype announced last week (more on that later), but the QuickCam 11.0 software that came on the bundled CD presented no such difficulties. Also, be sure to close out of the QuickCam software when using the Webcam to video conference with a program like Skype. I had a conversation repeatedly come to an abrupt end until I noticed the tiny QuickCam icon staring at me from my PC's system tray and closed it.
My only complaint with Logitech's laptop Webcam I reviewed last week was its awkward clip and vertical orientation, which, taken together, resulted in the camera drooping forward or leaning to one side somewhat regularly. No such problems with the QuickCam Pro 9000. The camera is oriented horizontally, with the lens to the left and the mic on the right. The two-hinged stand can be maneuvered to stand up on top of a desk or so that the camera sits on top of a narrow LCD. A rubber mat covers each potential contact point, meaning that the Webcam will rest firmly in place in a variety of positions. And the stand is made of thick, heavy plastic, which provides enough counterweight to keep the Webcam from being easily jostled.
In testing, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000's image quality was superior to that of the Creative Live Cam Optia AF and the Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000 under any scenario--bright artificial light, low light, or natural light. Particularly in a dimly lit room with a dark desktop background, the QuickCam Pro 9000 was able to lighten the image to that shadows were removed from your face but not to the point of overexposing the image. In addition to using a Carl Zeiss lens, the QuickCam Pro 9000 features Logitech's RightLight 2 technology, which I found to be far better at automatically adjusting the image than anything you get from Creative or Microsoft. Like the other two desktop Webcams, the QuickCam Pro 9000 features a 2-megapixel sensor. It can record video up to a resolution of 1,600x1,200 and can snap still photos up to 8-megapixels (keep in mind, anything above 2-megapixels comes by way of software interpolation, which degrades quality).
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Microsoft Lifecam Cinema Webcam
Many computers come with a built-in camera, but none offer the HD video of the LifeCam Cinema, Microsoft's newest flagship Webcam, which incorporates a native 720p wide-screen sensor that offers higher quality video to instant-messengers, YouTube videographers, and everyone in between.
Webcam users already know that traditional 1.3-megapixel cameras typically struggle to curb digital noise when recording in low light. Last year's LifeCam Show showed improvement, but the video still had bits of graininess. The LifeCam Cinema continues that momentum with Microsoft's new ClearFrame Technology, which promises better low-light performance (and increased visibility thanks to its 74-degree viewing angle) without having to sacrifice resolution quality.
Microsoft also includes Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery to help users edit and upload their videos to popular social networking sites like YouTube or Facebook. The LifeCam Cinema will start shipping in September for $80, which includes a three-year limited hardware warranty.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Radius Atomic Bass Earbuds (Rated higher than BOSE by Cnet)
The good: The Radius Atomic Bass earphones feature a comfortable, compact, and stylish design. They're inexpensive and offer a ton of bass. Some songs sound great.
The bad: The Radius Atomic Bass earphones suffer from muffled, chaotic audio at times. The cable is thin, which means it's tangle-prone and may not be durable.
The bottom line: The Radius Atomic Bass earphones are a good choice for bass-addicts with an eye for style and a concern for budget.
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Like the Radius TruTune earphones, the Atomic Bass earphones feature a fashionable design. You can choose from six color options--black, blue, green, red, silver, and violet--all shaded to match the iPod Nanos and Shuffles. The color is really an accent, found only encasing the earbuds and the plug housing. The cable is white, except for the black version, which has a black cord. The cable, which measures roughly 45 inches, is the uneven variety popular with sport-style headphones. The distance from the Y-junction to the left earbud is shorter than that going to the right, allowing the wearer to string the cable behind the neck to insert the right piece. This contributes to the low-profile style of the earphones, although people who carry their MP3 players on the right may not prefer it.
The Atomic Bass earphones' understated design is further promoted by the supercompact size of the 'buds. Even users with smaller-than-average ears should have no problem achieving a relatively secure and comfortable fit. Radius includes three sizes of silicone ear tips, and I had no trouble getting a good fit with the smallest of these. I found the earphones to be comfortable after more than two hours of wear. However, I noticed that although the earbuds form a noticeable seal with the ear, they provide below-average noise isolation. Of course, this isn't an advertised feature, but it's something for commuters to keep in mind.
On the whole, the sound quality provided by the Atomic Bass earphones was fairly good during testing. They certainly live up to their claim of providing an extended bass response--the low end really thumps and is truly encompassing. If bass is the most important thing for you, then you'll probably love the sound. Electronica, pop, and certain hip-hop really shined. Mids are nice and warm, and there's a good amount of high-end detail. However, clarity isn't the greatest. Several songs suffered from muffled, muddled audio--notably, hard and fast rock. Even some hip-hop sounded as if it was coming from under a layer of water. Still, if you crave tons of bass and want to spend less than 50 bucks to get it, the Atomic Bass earphones are a solid choice. Colorful earbuds have become increasingly popular with headphone manufacturers, possibly due to consumer demand for something a bit more stylish than plain white or black. It's no wonder: earphones are basically accessories that serve to pipe music to your ears, so they might as well be fashionable. Radius, a new Tennessee-based company pushing out Japanese-designed earbuds, is the latest entry into the burgeoning market of fashion-forward electronics. The company has three product lines, one of which is the $40 Atomic Bass earphones. As the name suggests, these in-ear 'buds offer expansive low-end response: bass-addicts only need apply.
The bad: The Radius Atomic Bass earphones suffer from muffled, chaotic audio at times. The cable is thin, which means it's tangle-prone and may not be durable.
The bottom line: The Radius Atomic Bass earphones are a good choice for bass-addicts with an eye for style and a concern for budget.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like the Radius TruTune earphones, the Atomic Bass earphones feature a fashionable design. You can choose from six color options--black, blue, green, red, silver, and violet--all shaded to match the iPod Nanos and Shuffles. The color is really an accent, found only encasing the earbuds and the plug housing. The cable is white, except for the black version, which has a black cord. The cable, which measures roughly 45 inches, is the uneven variety popular with sport-style headphones. The distance from the Y-junction to the left earbud is shorter than that going to the right, allowing the wearer to string the cable behind the neck to insert the right piece. This contributes to the low-profile style of the earphones, although people who carry their MP3 players on the right may not prefer it.
The Atomic Bass earphones' understated design is further promoted by the supercompact size of the 'buds. Even users with smaller-than-average ears should have no problem achieving a relatively secure and comfortable fit. Radius includes three sizes of silicone ear tips, and I had no trouble getting a good fit with the smallest of these. I found the earphones to be comfortable after more than two hours of wear. However, I noticed that although the earbuds form a noticeable seal with the ear, they provide below-average noise isolation. Of course, this isn't an advertised feature, but it's something for commuters to keep in mind.
On the whole, the sound quality provided by the Atomic Bass earphones was fairly good during testing. They certainly live up to their claim of providing an extended bass response--the low end really thumps and is truly encompassing. If bass is the most important thing for you, then you'll probably love the sound. Electronica, pop, and certain hip-hop really shined. Mids are nice and warm, and there's a good amount of high-end detail. However, clarity isn't the greatest. Several songs suffered from muffled, muddled audio--notably, hard and fast rock. Even some hip-hop sounded as if it was coming from under a layer of water. Still, if you crave tons of bass and want to spend less than 50 bucks to get it, the Atomic Bass earphones are a solid choice. Colorful earbuds have become increasingly popular with headphone manufacturers, possibly due to consumer demand for something a bit more stylish than plain white or black. It's no wonder: earphones are basically accessories that serve to pipe music to your ears, so they might as well be fashionable. Radius, a new Tennessee-based company pushing out Japanese-designed earbuds, is the latest entry into the burgeoning market of fashion-forward electronics. The company has three product lines, one of which is the $40 Atomic Bass earphones. As the name suggests, these in-ear 'buds offer expansive low-end response: bass-addicts only need apply.
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