Logitech 1.3 Megapixel Webcam

[Madison Rapelyea]

Unless you are using your camera with Windows OS, I suggest that you not install any Logitech software. The software that Logitech includes with the camera may offer additional features over Mac OS X alone, but some Mac OS X users find that the Logitech software conflicts with some of their system elements or other installed third-party software.

Scan the web and you will find that the c920, while an awesome piece of hardware, lacks software to make use of it for the mac and many people mystified as to why it won't work as they expect and very little that you can do to control features that are available on the windows side.

Some people are successful using this cam with some software such as photobooth, imovie, skype, etc. And others not so lucky. I use MBAir. I haven't tried skype yet and rarely use it. But I do record video and that was my main attraction to this cam. Thus far, the best way to record video seems to be directly into quicktime X (I have also used QT7 pro but I get different results than X). In the drop down menu in the movie record pane you should see the c920 as an option, along with your built in isight cam. Choose the cam for video and audio (unless you have a mic) and then choose the quality setting. "High" gets me 720p and it looks pretty good. "Maximum" will give me a few seconds of 1080p and then it crashes. Someone else found that once they installed FCPX they could record 1080p in quictime X on their MBAir, whereas they could not before. They suspect that QTX was now using a quicktime component that was not available before the FCPX install. That is what I've got to find out now. He says that it requires about a 1 gb per minute for 1080p. Based on my attempts, the "pro res 4444" produces a larger file and needs more horsepower than my MBAir can deliver. I don't know if this component in FCPX is ONLY available through FCPX or if it is available by itself. Maybe the MBP you have has enough power to handle the file. Would be interested to know.

QT7pro at Device Native quality produced a 1920x1080 video using MJPEG open DML @ 30fps at a data rate of 998.88mbit/s, or in normal english, a big friggin' file. 1GB for less than 10 secs of video. I believe the Best (H.264) quality setting produced a 640x480 file. I will mess with this again over the weekend. Also hoping to hear back on what codec was being used from FCPX to get a satisfactory 1080p on QTX. Will eventually get FCPX, but not today.

Here are the inspector notes on the QuickTime 7 Pro clips I made today. They were 15-16 seconds long. Named the files based on the app (qt7pro) followed by the quality setting in preferences, the image size and lastly the file size itself.

Only "Device Native" will give you HD resolution at roughly 8GB per minute. "Good" and "Best" will give you 640x480 video. The "Best" setting gives a slightly better (sharper) video. And "Better" is 320x180 video. Widescreen-ish, unlike "Good" and "Best". Not sure why.

I am running the least version of OS X on my newish Mac Pro and I get nothing out of my camera so this is not true. I have tried everything and its just not running video through the lens even though it sees the camera. I'm afraid its not that easy as you say.

I'd love more ideas if anybody has - I've tried both the Logitech app and and the Webcam Settings software but get nothing from either still, so I have no way of using this camera as yet in any way whatsoever. My main purpose would be to do Skype interviews but also to record some video too.

I feel you. I myself am a youtuber and it took me forever. Download the logitech webcam settings app and then open up your FaceTime HD Camera or your Photo Booth camera. Up in the area with the Apple logo (sorry don't know what its called) there will be an area that says camera. Go to it then select your Logitech webcam. Then use the (Free) App to control your camera. And you're done!

I was thinking about buying the smaller C500 for astrophotography and time lapse videos, but I could not find any details about the sensor size, witch is crucial in astrophotogrphy, so I maybe switch to c600 thanks to your article.

HD resolution is not needed too, but today SD webcams have such a small sensor, maybe 1/8 of an inch or even smaller, that no optics will ever be appropriate.
HD ones have bigger sensors, but it wont be long they will make them smaller.

As far as I can tell the main difference between CCD and CMOS is having a global shutter vs rolling shutter. I took a few test images and it looks like the camera has a global shutter which would mean that it is a CCD instead of CMOS.

For the IR filter, I already noticed from your dissection pictures that it is a kind if easy removable mount like it was on my old glorious quickcam 3000 pro, that gave me so many satisfactions but now is dead. ?

Yes, I measured my lenses and the screw is 12mm in diameter for the most common ones, I got just one smaller than this that is mounted on the logitech E3500 I think it's 10mm.
(I can't find my caliber, damn, I measured with two boxes and a ruler!)

Zoom is an inevitable fixture of post-pandemic life. For all I know, you're Zooming right now as you read this. It's an unverifiable fact that any time not spent on Zoom these days is time spent on Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, WebX, or Skype (don't quote me on that). The Jetsons predicted it, but it doesn't make it any easier to start a panel of disembodied heads several times a week.

You may as well look your best by using the right webcam. Even though newer Windows laptops and MacBooks have built-in webcams with 1080p resolution, you'll make a better onscreen impression if you upgrade to a standalone model. We've been testing tons of webcams over the years in search of the best. Alternatively, there are easy ways to upgrade your video quality by using your smartphone or a professional camera (if you have one) as a webcam. Be sure to check out our Best Hubs and Docks guide if you need more ports to plug a webcam in.

Given the choice between an integrated ring light and the Kiyo X's software, I'd take the software. Video picture settings can be tweaked in the Razer Synapse app, but unlike the more expensive Kiyo Pro that requires Synapse-tweaking to look good, the Kiyo X looks great out of the box. The Kiyo X autofocuses quickly, and when it has to refocus, it tends to do so less noticeably. It shoots 1080p-resolution video at 30 frames per second or 720p resolution at 60 frames per second. Its field of vision is a slightly wide 82 degrees.

The C920 has been the standard for high-quality USB webcams for years. Before I switched over to the Razer Kiyo, it was my default camera for videoconferencing. You get great image quality at 1080p resolution (and 30 frames per second), and white balance performance is on par with the Razer webcam. The narrower 78-degree field of view means you may need to adjust its position so your face doesn't take up the whole frame, but the autofocus is subtle and quick. There's a comparably priced version that comes with a physical shutter for privacy.

The original Brio from 2017 was one of the earliest mainstream webcams to offer 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. Even as the rest of the market has introduced premium webcams to compete with it, the Brio maintains its position as my favorite 4K webcam. Logitech gave it a minor update in 2022 with updated software and a privacy shutter, but the old model is still a fine purchase that's a little cheaper. The white balance is still accurate, and my skin color always looks normal, whether I'm in a sunny room, in limited light, or using artificial light.

The autofocus is fast and subtle when refocusing, and the image is razor-sharp. Plus, you can choose from 65, 78, and a super-wide 90 degrees for your field of view, giving you lots of framing options. If you're using a Windows machine, you can set it up to work with Windows Hello for face authentication to log in. It's expensive, but this is the best quality you'll get short of using a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

The UltraSharp Webcam feels incredibly substantial and is solid enough to take with you anywhere. Everything from the webcam body to the stand to the included tripod adapter is made of brushed aluminum. The stand and tripod adapter connect to the webcam body with a magnetic post that makes for a secure mount. The privacy cap connects magnetically and stays put with a satisfyingly strong hold, but it isn't hard to remove. The inside of the cap is padded with a soft-touch fabric to keep it from scratching the lens. Even the forward-facing part of the stand is covered in soft-touch rubber to keep you from scratching the back of your laptop lid if you get a little reckless when setting up for a Zoom call.

You can adjust the viewing angle between 65, 78, and 90 degrees and record in 4K resolution at 24 or 30 frames per second, as well as in 720p or 1080p resolutions at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. However, the picture quality of the Dell wasn't any better than the Logitech Brio 4K.

It offers outstanding sharpness, color contrast, and white balance in the choice of recording in 24, 25, and 30 frames per second in 4K resolution. Stepping down to 1080p adds the ability to shoot at 60 frames per second. There are dual noise-canceling microphones and a screw mount on the bottom for attaching it to a tripod too. About the only thing it lacks is a physical privacy shutter, but the camera points downward when it's not in use.

Obsbot Tiny 2 Webcam for $329: WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been using Obsbot's first Tiny 4K PTZ webcam with great results for more than a year, and after switching to the new Tiny 2, he's just as satisfied. The 4K-capable picture quality looks great, and the camera does an excellent job of following his movements around. The company has also really polished its software over the year, offering up a lot of ways in which you can tweak the settings to your heart's content. It can respond to your hand gestures, but you can also buy a remote to control it, making it great for presentations and group video calls.

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