Customer Reviews

Logitech 961144-0403 Cordless QuickCam Video Web Camera

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Compared to other Logitech cameras, like the Pro 3000, 4000, or QuickCam For Notebooks, this camera is definitely a big step down in video quality. The picture is much grainier and always has a greenish cast to it. The latter cannot be corrected (probably caused by office fluorescent lighting), because unlike their other cams, this one doesn't have a white balance adjust, and this is especially odd since all the cameras use the same driver.

The camera will do 30 fps at 320x240, but only on the default brightness/contrast settings which are way too dark for normal interior lighting. When you boost them to get a reasonably bright image, you'll get only about 20 fps, and the picture is very grainy.

Usability is excellent: A base unit plugs into your USB port on your computer, the Windows XP hardware wizard works properly with this cam (after you install the software from the Logitech installer), and the camera can use any one of 4 wireless channels, so you could have 4 of these in close proximity to each other without interference.

User interface problems:
There are no instructions, and it's not immediately obvious how to turn the stupid camera on in the first place. The camera is powered by a 9-volt battery or a plug-in wall wart (supplied). But you must power it up. When I first installed everything, the Logitech control panel kept saying 'no signal', and I couldn't figure out how to turn the camera on. There is a silver button on the top of the camera, which you must depress and HOLD for several seconds until you see the LCD display on the camera turn on. There are also 2 other small round silver buttons whose function is unmarked, but which appear to control which channel you are on, and what mode you are in (still-image or video).

Range and stability:
The range is very good. The camera is rated at 75 feet. I went around about 30-40 feet through several walls, and it still works. But as you move the camera, expect lots of glitches and breakup. Once you stop moving the camera, it cleans up and the transmission is reliable.

There is a mic built-in, which is a nice plus. It had good pickup and decent quality (about the same as the mics in their other USB cams).
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Summary:
It depends on what you really need. If you really need a wireless camera, this fills a niche that I don't think another camera quite fills. Unlike 'network' cams that plug into your Ethernet cable or WiFi network and operate as a low-frame-rate web server, this thing acts just any other USB video capture camera. As such, you can use it for video conferencing, or a web cam from your computer, with the added bonus of being able to move it around and locate it far from the computer.

On the minus side, the video quality isn't so hot, so unless you absoltely HAVE to have a wireless camera, the Pro 4000 would be a much better choice.

This thing is great, runs long on a single 9 volt, or use the little power cord wherever you take it, USB powers the base station. Picture is definatly worth the price. I would only recomend one thing, get a rechargeable 9 volt battery (or more) because even though you can do alot with this thing, you cannot recharge it. so before you go bonkers buying a few batteries, break out the cash and get some rechargeables, because the kit does NOT contain one, nor the means to recharge one. other than that, Logitech hit this one out of the park, but it swayed just a bit out side of the right field line.

I needed a cordless camera. I looked into Nanny Cams and found them far beyond my budget. Found this camera at a local store and bought it for $79 on sale. But took the chance that I could not return it. Turns out it works perfectly for my needs.

I have the receiver about 3 feet away from the CPU and my wireless router. The camera does not interfer with my cordless phone or my wireless internet connection.

Camera did come with basic diagram (where on button is, how to set modes, how to change channels) in a little booklet provided with camera. Installation was SIMPLE. But it took me 4 tries to get the camera working well. There are 4 channels and I had to go through all 4 to get good stable connection from another room. I have the ac supply plugged in so I get a constant feedback from the camera and have it set to take still photos when there is motion. PERFECT. EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED! I have the ability to SCHEDULE when the camera turns on and off and how sensitive the camera is to movement. At one setting the air conditioning was turning it on!)

I tried it in 3 different rooms. Works in all as long as the light level is high enough. Farthest I tried away from the receiver is about 45-50 feet in a straight line down a hallway. Through several walls at an angle about 30 feet away is where it is now.

The image is grainy compared to other Logitech webcams but that is not my main concern. I have it set to amed size image (320x240) black and white with the brightness pushed up. Combination produces decent imagery for what I need.

Also have it set with a warning sound each time a photo is taken. I can tell when something is happening from another room! I am using it to identify a problem with pets. I have 3 and don't know the culprit. By the end of the day, I will have an answer to who is my talented animal and how it is getting into the sealed container that could be hazardous!

My boss will be borrowing the camera too. She has a problem situation and wants to know who needs to see a vet!

I have been using these cordless webcams for over 2 years now and am very satisfied EXCEPT for one thing: I am now using a computer with Windows Vista and I can't find any drivers/software that will work with Vista. One point that wasn't mentioned in any of the other reviews is that if you have other wireless security cameras and a receiver hooked up to a TV monitor, the Logitech Cordless Webcams is picked up as clearly as my security cameras! AND, I can still use the same cameras at the same time as webcams broadcasting through my computer on the internet. My Logitech Cordless cams are 2 of my 4 security cameras that are received on my TV monitor and are also 2 of my 6 webcams that I broadcast on my web pages...simultaneously.

There is a problem with these cordless webcams though: at 2.4 GHz, cordless phones and microwaves do interfere with reception quality. Doesn't bother me much though. I still like 'em a lot.

However, I am very disappointed that I cannot use the cordless webcams with my new computer which runs with the Vista OS and I can't find updated drivers anywhere. Logitech DOES NOT SUPPORT the cordless webcam and has not done so for years. They can still be used with XP-SP2 so I'm keeping them. Will just have to use my old XP computer to maintain my webcam pages on the internet.

If anyone knows where I might find a driver to work with Vista, I'd be most appreciative. The current Quickcam drivers available for using my Fusion and Orbit MP do not help at all with the cordless ones on Vista.

These webcams are easy to use and easy to set up. There is a manual with instructions on the installation disk that came with the webcam.

when i bought this cam i was very excited because i was under the impression that it was a WIRELESS webcam and that it could be positioned almost anywhere in the house and still work, assuming it didnt have to go through too many walls or anything, it took me days of emailing the Logitech people back and forth to finally even get the thing to work (they dont give you instruction manuals) and when it did "work" i couldnt move the cam more then 2 feet from the wireless antenna without it stopping. and if you have WIRELESS internet too? forget about it! the channels constantly conflict which makes it work even less, GOOD IDEA not a good product