Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX

by Logitech

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 3 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000GP845M
• Item model number: 961464-0403
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (149 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Video communication made easy. QuickCam Communicate STX takes your video communications to the next level. Clearer video with  640 x 480 VGA quality and RightLight technology provides improved image clarity even in low light, and your calls are always echo-free with the integrated microphone and RightSound technology.

• Enjoy free, high quality video calls with synchronized audio via Skype—full-screen with Windows Live Messenger.
• Make live video calls to friends and family! Enjoy two-way, real-time video calls with integrated audio—the perfect way to stay in touch with friends and family.   

Works with these applications (not all services available in all areas):

Features:

VGA video sensor with RightLight technology Sharper images and video performance even in dim lighting.		Integrated Microphone with RightSound technology Logitech's exclusive RightSound technology ensures your voice comes through clearly and echo-free.		Switched privacy shade  Makes launching, muting and closing video sessions easy.

• Free HP Photosmart Essentials software - Edit and print your photos (web download required).
• Set-up is in 3 quick steps - Logitech software walks you through the process.
• Snapshot button - Taking stills is fast and easy.
• Flexible clip - Attaches to any monitor or notebook, and stands on a tabletop.

System Requirements:

• Pentium II 500, Celeron, Athlon processor or higher
• Microsoft Windows 98SE, 2000, Me or XP
• Available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port
• Windows compatible soundcard and speakers
• 16-bit color display adapter
• CD-ROM drive
• 200 MB free hard drive space
• 64 MB RAM minimum

Hardware:

• Sensor: High quality VGA
• Video Capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels
• Still Image Capture: 1.3 mexapixels (interpolated)
• Video File Type: AVI
• Still Image File Types: BMP, JPEG
• Frame Rate: Up to 30 frames per second (with recommended system)
• Field of View: 42 degrees horizontal
• Optics: Fixed focus
• USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant
• Cable length: 6 ft. USB cable

Applications for Windows

• Live video calls with free trial of Logitech VideoCall for broadband
• Live video integrated with MSN Messenger
• Live video on AIM/AOL Instant Messenger
• Works with Yahoo! Messenger
• Works with Windows Messenger (XP only)
• Includes Logitech QuickCam software for capturing stills and videos
• Web camming software

Package Contents:

• Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX camera
• 6 ft. USB cable
• Round desktop base
• Adjustable monitor clip
• Installation CD, including user guide
• Quick-start guide
• Bundled software
• 2-year warranty

Product Description

QuickCam Communicate STX takes your video communications to the next level.Clearer video with  640 x 480 VGA quality and RightLight technologyprovides improved image clarity even in low light, and your calls are alwaysecho-free with the integrated microphone and RightSound technology.  Enjoyfree, high quality video calls with synchronized audio via Skype - full-screen with WindowsLive Messenger.  Make live video calls to friends and family! Enjoytwo-way, real-time video calls with integrated audio - the perfect way to stayin touch with friends and family.   

Features

• Sensor:  High quality VGA
• Video Capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels
• Still Image Capture:  1.3 mexapixels (interpolated)
• Video File Type: AVI
• Still Image File Types: BMP, JPEG
• Frame Rate:  Up to 30 frames per second (with recommended system)
• Field of View:  42 degrees horizontal
• Optics:  Fixed focus
• USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant

Box Contains

• Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX Webcam
• 6ft USB CableRound Desktop Base
• Adjustable Monitor Clip
• Installation CD

Windows Requirements

• Windows 98SE, 2000, Me or XP
• Pentium III 500MHz processor, Celeron, Athlon processor or higher
• 200MB free hard drive space
• 64MB of RAM minimum
• Available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port
• Windows compatible sound card and speakers
• 16-bit color display adapter
• CD-ROM drive

NOTE:  Product pictured on this page is represented by the packagingfor easier viewing.  The conten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mac compatible, April 20, 2007

By 

red_ber (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX (Personal Computers)

I just want to confirm that this camera is indeed compatible with a Mac, and works reasonably well with Skype. My set up: 1.5 GHz Powerbook G4, Mac OS X 10.4.8, Skype 2.5.0.85, macam 0.9.1 driver. The refresh rate is not that high, subjectively at about 10 fps. Mic on the camera does not work, but the Powerbook built-in mic works very well. Headphones are not necessary but desirable to eliminate echo. The camera produces good focus and depth of field, and auto adjusts to different lighting conditions. Overall, video quality is not outstanding, but pretty decent and quite usable with Skype.

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Twisted Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX Review, July 20, 2008

By 

Ben Twisted (Parkersburg, WV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX (Personal Computers)

Length:: 0:44 Mins

This is my experience with the Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX. Maybe I got a bad one, but nothing helps. Settings, lighting, tried all suggestions. Time for a trip back to the store. I've always like Logitech, but this one didn't impress me.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Blurry Motion, April 4, 2007

By 

Liquid Sky - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX (Personal Computers)

This camera definitely has crisp picture, but the images are way too blurry during movement with low frame rate. I wasn't sure if this was due to the computer I was running it on (above minimum but slightly below recommended specs) or the camera itself.

I happened upon a Logitech UltraVision (which is Logitech's top-of-the-line webcam) for only $79. On the box, both the Communicate STX & UltraVision have the SAME minimum & recommended system requirements. But the UltraVision when installed on the same computer had no blurry images during movement, with obviously better frame rate, and better performance overall. Very odd, I thought, since UltraVision is at least 3 steps above Communicate STX in the model level, and is assumed to require greater system resources.

So my conclusion is that the Communicate STX, for whatever reason, does indeed have an unacceptable blurry motion image and ridiculously low frame rate (well below the 30 fps that's advertised on the box & elsewhere). The picture itself is crisp and handles low light well, but there is lag time in the movement, and the audio and video do not sync well. Be warned if that's a concern. Some people are more forgiving of this than others, but I personally can't stand it, and if you've ever experienced a webcam that actually responds to you instantaneously, it's really hard to settle for anything less. The built-in microphone, by the way, is excellent and very sensitive, and the unit itself is quite attractive in its silver & black.

As for the UltraVision, I believe the Rightlight2 technology (for this particular model) does not work well in low light (definitely too dark), but it can be corrected manually by increasing the gain. Hopefully, this flaw will be corrected permanently with a software fix at some future date (how hard can it be to write code that would kick the gain up a few notches when the light level falls below a certain point?). The picture on the other hand is the sharpest I've ever seen in a webcam. As for the concerns of it being a resource hog, I didn't experience that, and I don't see how people can say that when the system requirements are the same for the Communicate STX, Pro 5000, & Fusion. They may just be assuming this, since it is the most expensive camera in the line. All four of them basically use the same software as well. UltraVision is no more a resource hog than the others mentioned, in my opinion.

On a side note, I noticed a blue tinge in the skin tone when using the UltraVison in lower light. I realized that this was due to the blue illuminated ring around the Logitech logo while the camera was on. Since there was little light, the blue ring actually served as a lighting source, thus making the skin tone somewhat blue. Now if they'd just make that ring a little brighter & white in color......

Hope this helps if you were wondering about the Communicate STX's blurry motion video, or the UltraVison's capabilities. I would not buy the Communicate STX. If I had to get a Logitech, I would spend the extra money and step up to the Pro 5000 (or any of the other models with 'true high-speed' USB 2.0), which must have better frame rate and smoother video, just as the UltraVision did.