Home

Logitech QuickCam Messenger

Webcam Review Index || Webcam Setup ||  FTP Setup ||  FAQ

Logitech QuickCam Messenger
January 2003, $50

Click Image to Enlarge Not a bad little camera, but I was a bit disappointed in the image quality, which was just about the same as the QuickCam Pro purchased 4 years earlier. I do have to admit that the old camera cost 3 times as much, but still, we've had 4 years of technology since then. While not as good as some of the other low cost cameras, this one is reliable and commonly available. It is a good camera if your budget is limited.

The image is a bit washed out. Tinkering with the contrast and brightness controls I was able to improve the image but it is necessary to change the settings every time the lighting changes. So I used basically auto settings for the tests. Incidentally, this is the camera which has been included for new subscribers to Comcast a year or two ago. I am finding them popping up in a lot of free webcam included type offers.


Product Specifications

  • High quality CMOS sensor
  • Video Capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels, Video format: AVI
  • Still Image Capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels, Image Format: JPEG, BMP, TIF, PSD
  • Interface: USB 1.1 compliant
  • Frame Rate: Up to 30 frames per second
  • Field of View: 38 degrees horizontal
  • Manual focus
  • Built-in mic
  • Thin 1.8m USB cable
  • Software Included:
    • Live video enabled Yahoo/MSN Messenger, Logitech IM Video Companion
    • One click video e-mail , Web Album Creator
    • Video Broadcasting , Web Cam Broadcasting
    • Logitech Desktop Messenger for automatic updates
    • ImageStudio on CD-ROM, QuickStart guide

Minimum System Requirements (PC)

  • Windows XP, ME, 2000 or 98
  • PII 400MHz, Celeron, AMD Athlon proc (500MHz or higher rec)
  • 64 MB RAM
  • 200 MB free HDD space
  • Available USB port
  • CD-ROM drive, 16 bit colour display adapter,
  • Windows compatible sound card & speakers (full duplex sound card rec)

Screen shots of camera configuration settings
Advanced         Device

    Pluses
  • Fairly good quality image
  • Works fairly well in low light
  • Inexpensive at $50
  • Twain driver works well and is stable
  • Familiar Logitech eyeball shape
  • Nice base which stays put where you place it
    Minuses
  • Poorer quality image than I would expect
  • The default software installs huge quantities of stuff with no choice of components (Note: the software version I downloaded from the website now gives you a custom install option where you can choose not to install the extra software)
  • No tripod mounting hole. Only works with included stand


Webcam Review Index || Webcam Setup ||  FTP Setup ||  FAQ