Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF
by Logitech
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Our Price: $102.53
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: LogitechFormat: CD-ROM
Platform: Windows
Model: 960-000111
Color: Black
Product features:
- Includes new Logitech Vid software-dramatically simplifies video calling
- Motorized tracking follows your every move for the ultimate video-calling freedom
- High-precision AutoFocus with Carl Zeiss optics for sharper, smoother video
- True 2-megapixel sensor and RightLight2 Technology for vivid video and up to 8-megapixel photos, even in dim light
- Integrated premium microphone with RightSound Technology for ultra-clear chats
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF
Customer Review: Unsatisfactory Performance in Sound, Picture Quslity, and Automated Features
Summary: 1 Stars
A video review would be fantastic! However, this $100 camera would assuredly cause you to being syncing up your own settings. Six months ago I purchased an entirely new comprehensive computer network win Windows 7 reared its head. I have been working with emerging technologies to include multimedia, web design, graphics, audio, video, and telecommunication at a consistent level since I served as an assistant professor beginning in the mid 90's. The culmination of my business/technology acumen finds me developing and delivering career development/corporate development/ and educational programs that are designed to act as high level virtual classroom environments regardless of the delivery method. Therefore, I have a tremendous amount of creative software, graphics, video, sound, and multimedia presentations that I store, revamp with newer technology, and revise as the client's requirements change.
Given that information, I do have certain level of performance expectations when I am completing an already labor intensive task. As part of a $5000 upgrade, the webcam was not the bulk of the purchase; however, it is a peripheral that I constantly utilize for VOIP calls, tutoring, planning, meetings, and development. As there are so many webcams on the market and although are integrated into the majority of laptops etc. are not strongly reviewed. I visited several technology superstores and evaluated between 50-76 webcams. Of course, unless the web cam was an internal component that happened to be showcased I rarely got to see one in action. In essence I analyzed the cameras by the marketing claims on the packaging and web and I was able to uncover the functions that were considered basic, moderate, and advanced. This camera was certainly advanced and, in fact, was $149 at Best Buy and other stores- so, as one of the most expensive web cams with the features that were approaching the capabilities of a camcorder, I expected that I could easily hold meetings and create videos that could be edited with some ease; especially as I am moving a lot of my work to the web.
I found the price to be nearly 40% lower on Amazon due to a rebate (which required my destroying the packaging. Initially, I spent hours simply installing software that was compatible with Windows 7 X86 with almost no support or documentation. As always I followed each step configuring the device according to the smallest detail as recommended by the developers. The documentation settings were quite different than the actual settings with both omissions and extra functions. Secondly, the actual attributes or functions of the camera were not described or pictured in any detail anywhere on the website or documentation leaving me to guess when selecting different video and audio combinations.
First, I could have saved many hours of initial time and troubleshooting and repeating the process to attempt basic success if they done the obvious: created a series of simple tutorial videos for the user to follow to ensure proper basic set up. The videos then should have shown the user how to adjust settings and utilize the equipment in various common environments n order for the user to understand how to make adjustments to the audio, video (lighting, color, balance), cinematic, and artistic controls that would result in quality output. In fact, in the end they should have created a troubleshooting guide by showing how to correct common problems by simulating the problem and then demonstrating the steps to correct the problem.
"Experience the ultimate in video-calling freedom, clarity and simplicity. The integrated premium microphone with RightSound Technology cancels background noise for crystal-clear conversations. And with included Logitech Vid software, clear and crisp video calling is finally fast, free and easy." I attempted to use each of the calling services (most had changed since documentation was created) and I was not able to make or receive a single phone call that was coherent and I have been using Skype all over the world for years!!! Their website sites countless examples of their automated functioning finally makes this once difficult task simple and perfect.
"The camera features motorized facial tracking that follows your every move, keeping you right in the middle of the picture- So show your sis your new dance steps and the motorized lens will follow your every move. Enjoy sharper, smoother high-clarity video with premium Carl Zeiss optics and with true a 2-megaxpixel sensor lean in to give your mom a birthday kiss, and the Autofocus keeps you razor sharp. And with RightLight2 Technology, you're free to make a late-night video call to Frankfurt even if you are in a dimly lit room because the automatic light correction adjusts your image so they see you in a perfect light. QuickCam Orbit AF does all the work- no distractions.
Due to the discrepancies in the initial documentation, there were settings that were never described in the guide and others my system lacked which even upon using trial and error I have no idea what I was lacking. The camera sits upon a pole so that it may have enough space to pan, auto zoom and trace your face in order to ensure that you are in the center of the video, in focus, and surrounded with light, supposedly. The Autofocus was completely inconsistent- sometimes only shooting your forehead and the ceiling, zooming in and out to the extreme without regard to centering your face, or simply putting you on the edge of picture. The Autolight sensor and white balance/saturation would have only worked if were turned off and manually set in studio lighting conditions. If lamps were on or a light shined through a window the RightLight never made corrections but simply cast shadows or drenched out all the color that each time I attempted to create a video, it was like having a studio camera without the director or camera operator where I had to set up the camera where I could be centered in the video under the best lighting conditions that could be created.
All this was just to discuss how much fun phone conversations could be. Imagine trying to create a recording that could be edited later? Even trying to create a music lip synch video of my daughter and pals for YouTube proved to have the poorest of sound quality; the camera was unable enhance the light- in fact most of the three takes are unusable as their faces are indistinguishable due to shadows. Finally, with the ability to follow more than one face and movement was required, the autofocus and tracking system randomly moved around the room finally forcing the girls to change to close ups.
The final critique was in their attempt to create animations and avatars where you could create a video of you as a reindeer with similar facial markings with realistic mouth animations that mimics speech. The creative ideas, although fun in theory as I put in the effort with my daughter to create a funny video, had very low level functionality. I have seen rather inexpensive software programs have users create much higher level functioning animations out of the box than what this camera's capabilities were.
Without a single exception, this product was nothing more than a complete waste of money and countless hours.
Description of Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF
Logitech QuickCam Orbit AFDigital Cameras & Photo Categories
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