Customer Reviews

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

5 star:		(420)
4 star:		(101)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

Length:: 1:18 Mins

Installation was a breeze, it took less than 3 minutes to install. I am using it in a Windows 7 OS 64-bit environment. Unlike most webcam installations, this one was up and running in no time. It has a user-friendly and a very easy to navigate interface/menu. High Definition is pretty much the norm for resolution qualities now-a-days. The Logitech C910 I consider is the "high-end" webcam for the average user. The webacm sits on my 23 widescreen monitor, it balances perfectly on my monitor even though it does not have a clip. However, this might not work so well with laptops.

5 MP HD sensor takes crystal clear snapshots using 10 mega pixels (software enhanced), not even my digital camera is that high in mega pixels. The webcam is not as high quality using it on video chat (HD 720p), but it still beats the other webcam I was using before. I really don't think I will be using the video recorder feature often since I really can't see a need to record myself sitting in front of my desktop but I decided to try it anyways. When I tested the picture quality recording a video, it was clear (HD 1080p) and the sound was superb. Check out the attached video review for yourself (please disregard my Spanglish accent). The videos are saved in .wmv format. The widescreen lens allows a wider camera view compared to the average "square box" - so much more fits in the camera's view. The LightRight 2 technology automatically adjust the lighting conditions in the camera's view, no need to be fusing around with the settings.

It offers a 60-day trial of Logitech FastAccess facial recognition software. You can subscribe for this service that offers facial recognition to access Internet banking, email, etc without the hassle of remembering all your passwords. It can also lock your system to avoid use from unauthorized individuals.

Another awesome fun feature is the Logitech Video Effects. You can use Avatars that will follow your movements and mimic your speech as you chat with your friends. Add face accessories and masks to snapshots or video chat. Distort your image by adding visual video affects like stretching your face, big buggy eyes or distorting the color. There are tons of features to choose from and you can even download additional avatars and accessories direct from Logitech free of charge.

The webcam even offers a motion sensor feature that you can set up to record with a date and time stamp when there is any movement in front of the camera.

Overall great webcam. Major improvement to the Logitech QuickCam Pro I was using before. The Logitech Quickcam Pro offered most of the features listed on the C910, but now I have HD widescreen quality with vivid colors and superb resolution.

Length:: 2:45 Mins

The primary point is that this camera is not Skype certified, but performs better than a skype certified camera. This camera DOES DO 720p in Skype at 30FPS as opposed to the flagship certified Skype camera which does only 22FPS. This camera has great video and audio for a webcam. It does 720p in skype, Windows Live Messenger BETA, and Logitech Vid HD. I was reluctant to buy another HD webcam after the disappointment of both the Microsoft Lifecam Cinema HD and the FaceVsion Touchcam N1. But this is the first HD camera that feels like it.

Length:: 2:19 Mins

We tried out the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 and we love it. The picture quality is not quite as good as that of our Nikon video camera, and the photo editing software is not as good as the standalone program we bought -- but that's not a flaw in the camera or its software. That's comparing it with different kinds of products.

For video chat, it's perfect, and as you can see from this video review, it does a very good job of creating videos. Check out an example of an edited video here: [...] We did this entirely with the webcam, edited it and uploaded it to YouTube, and embedded it into our web page. We never had to look at the documentation or help, either -- it was incredibly easy. It took just about an hour, counting opening the boxes, installing the cameras, deciding on a topic for our experimental video, shooting it, editing it, and getting it onto the web page.

In later uses, we've found that some situations require an additional microphone, and we've gone back to iMovie for most of our editing, but we're using the camera regularly for video filming and for video chat.

I can say with confidence that it is possible to use this camera right out of the box with no additional hardware, software, or training, and to get good results.

Review update-- 9/11/10

During my original review, I rated the camera with regards to Skype use. I'm elated to learn from a Logitech forum post that this camera will be supporting Skype HQ with release of Skype 5.0! Because of this great news, I have revamped my review to better reflect the camera's use with 5.0, which I have been testing in beta.

The positives:

Camera & software install is easy
Camera Size is small
Design is attractive
Logitech HD video chat software is a nice option for those who aren't big into Skype or other big name branded chat programs.
It does great in low light situations and with dual mics seems overall very capable of capturing small sounds
Even in HD, this cam doesn't seem to drag on my system resources and make the PC slow like the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

Negatives:

Not yet Skype HQ compliant, but will be soon with the release of Skype 5.0!
The USB cable is about 1 foot shorter than the cable on the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 / QuickCam Pro 9000
The clip doesn't fit on my monitor as well as the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 / QuickCam Pro 9000 or the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

Now that this cam is slated to be Skype HQ compliant, I can say this is my preferred & recommended camera. Once I get the full release of 5.0 (non-beta) I'll update the review with my thoughts.

This product seems very good for making/sharing home videos, as the sound quality (via duo microphones) is quite excellent, and the image resolution is truly astounding in my opinion. However, I believe that this quality is somewhat limited to the purpose of making videos or taking snapshots. When I used it for video-calling programs such as Skype, the image resolution was scaled down so markedly that the image didn't seem to me to be dramatically better than what my average webcam offered. That said, I believe it has certain advantages over average webcams even if you use it for video-calling alone: it allows you to adjust the angle, focus, zoom and other aspects of the video while you're talking. The camera even has the ability to "follow your face" to a certain extent - if you desire it to do so.

The only complaint I have is that the camera itself does not hold on to your laptop screen securely. There is no clip or a tight grip provided. You're expected to balance the camera carefully and let it "sit" on the edge of your laptop screen. If you place your laptop on a secure and stable location (e.g. on a desk instead of your lap - and being extra careful on the airplane) and do not adjust/tilt your laptop screen while you use it, you might not have much of a problem. However, I can see how this lack of a secure grip can be an obvious inconvenience for someone who might like to carry the laptop and walk around with it while using the camera (e.g. making a home movie, showing your apartment to a friend through Skype, etc.). For someone who hibernates their laptop very frequently by closing their laptop screen many times a day, expect the camera to fall on your desk unless you remember to remove the camera first. I believe this lack of a secure grip is a legitimate concern for potential buyers.

I have been using the previous model Quickcam Pro 9000 for around a year, and I decided to pass that on to someone and buy this new model for myself.
The quality of the picture, sound, and the Logitech software is simply excellent (I use Windows 7). The Camera definition/detail is simply stunning, even in low light. I love the performance.
So, why only 4 stars you may think?
Well, when i first saw the C910, I liked the fact that is was considerably more compact than the Pro 9000. I travel quite a lot, and liked the idea of slightly smaller cam. I was disappointed there is no carrying case to protect the cam when in my computer bag with my ac adaptor, phone-charger and other accessories.
However, one drawback I have discovered is that the smaller size and slightly differences in shape of the "foot" means that the C910 is a little "wobbly" when perched on top of the screen of my laptop, whereas the Pro-9000 was absolutely solid. The "grip" system of the C910 is based on the same principle as that of the Pro9000, ie it is a friction grip, and not a "spring clip" or an actual clamp. I think if the foot was about a cm longer (still smaller than the Pro 9000) it might be more stable, or possibly the Pro9000 is more stable simply because it is heavier. This is not a problem on my desktop monitor, or if my laptop is on the desk, rather then actually on my lap. On my lap, or on a train, the cam can wobble a bit with any movement of the laptop.
To summarise:
PRO:
-superb cam performance, both sound and picture
- simple and robust software installation, no conflicts or problems found with Windows 7.
- reasonably compact size
CON:
- does not sit stable on laptop display
- no carrying case to protect it in my computer bag.

However, I still highly recommend Logitech, and this model in particular. I like it.

POSTSCRIPT: I have improved the stability of the cam on my laptop, I have taken a blob of blu-tak about 1/2 the size of a golf-ball and added it just above the hinge simply to increase the weight of the cam. It is now perfectly stable while i use the laptop and cam on my lap. I did not want to use the blutack to "stick" the cam to the laptop. I will figure out a more aesthetically pleasing solution for the long-term now I know a slight increase in weight will do what I want.

UPDATE 9/2010: I replaced the blu-tak with a couple of balance weights (self adhesive) from a ceiling fan kit, and wheel-balancing kit - simply because they were what I had to hand. I have uploaded photos to the product page.
I put 2x5gm weights just above the hinge-joint. Then later added a single 5gm weight at the very end of the arm. If I was doing it again from scratch, i would install a 5gm weight at the end of the arm - and check if it was enough. Then perhaps add a 5gm weight just above the hinge joint. My feeling is that the lower of the two weights contributes the most. I bought a strip of wheel balance weights off ebay-UK for about £3.00 ($4.50), so the modification is not too onerous or expensive.

Hello I purchased the camera to use with Skype mainly. Yes on a Mac there is no Logitech software whatsoever so its plug and play.

I'm thrilled. In little more than the monitor's lighting the image was good, with more lighting it was as good as it is on a still with a 7.1mp camera. I swooshed about and the image didn't blur sickeningly. The Follow your Head feature, well you don't get that or any other manually selectable attribute because of the no-software punishment we mac-ies are still enduring in this day and age. If Logitech doesn't care to give us software I'm perfectly happy with some other creator doing so.

Mic functions even when you are not using the imaging element under USB Unknown Audio Input and in some software it self selected. It isn't good enough for intense talking-to- software like Rosetta Stone which is listening for pitch and precise pronunciation. Maybe if you hold it close to your mouth it would work well enough even for that application but you don't want to be holding a camera as you'll smudge and eventually scratch the lens by handling it. If you can find a way to mount closer to your face but keep your hands off it, then you can solve that little problem as well.

I used it as a true video movie maker using Quicktime Pro 7. Just chose NEW MOVIE, let the software configure the BEST settings and clicked RECORD! 19 SECONDS IS 2.6mb and the file I created opens and plays as it should in every mov file player I have.

note: In Quicktime v10 you have to choose the HIGH setting. Camera doesn't function at all in the MAXIMUM setting.

What you can't do with this camera is use it stealthily as a security cam as it emits a lovely BLUE GLOW in the shape of a PARENTHESIS framing the lens. The blue band you see in the ad literature is a LIGHT and I don't think they make that very clear in any documentation. I thought it was just a painted stripe. When it lit up I was surprised! In the dark a thief would see that glow from across any room.

What takes a bit of getting used to (and I'd guess that is with any camera) is that you have to turn left when you mean right and right when you want to move left or to refer to that side of your body or the image and your things behind you.

My Mac Mini is running 10.6.4

This camera was clearly tested as a webcam for the case where the user would sit directly in front of the camera, at the keyboard of a computer. For that case, when the user's face is less than three feet from the camera, the image is quite good. This case is clearly documented by some of the demonstration videos here at Amazon. Unfortunately, that was not my use case. My situation is that we have this camera set on top of a large monitor in a living room, looking at a couch that is about 10 feet away. This camera was a disaster for that use case.

The simple truth is the camera cannot achieve a sharp focus on anything beyond about five to six feet. Beyond that, even if you turn off the Autofocus and attempt to manually focus, there is no focus setting that will bring the couch (or person) 10 feet away into a sharp focus. If I set a keyboard in front of the monitor and sit close to the camera, it looks very good at 720p or 1080p widescreen. If you back off to the couch 10 feet away, you never get a sharp focus. If you zoom on the image, it's simply blurry.

Probably the use case never occurred to anyone in quality assurance at Logitech. Or maybe they didn't think anyone would use their camera this way. But consider that Skype is about to be distributed by four of the major HDTV industry players, including Panasonic and Vizio. So my case stands to become a very common case in the future. Your family members will be seated about six to 12 feet away from that HDTV screen. It's simply unnatural to use an HDTV like a PC in every situation where you want to make a call.

I would urge Logitech marketing to rethink their requirements, and urge Logitech quality assurance to start testing focus at longer distances. Please give us a sharp focus at distance from the camera, and particularly after zooming on the person at the center of the image.

I have used several Logitech webcams over there years, so I was excited to receive the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910. I have always owned webcams that sit on the desk (you know, those little orb ones from Logitech) so this is my first experience with one that sits atop my monitor.

It does not have any clips or attachments to hold it there; it just sort of perches up there using the back hinge to "tighten/loosen" the grip. The actual width of the perch part is 1 & 1/4" from the front lip to the hinge at back. My desktop monitor is perfect for this, but I can see where some people with thinner-edged monitors (like laptops) would have a problem getting it to perch in a sturdy manner. On my monitor, it's a very steady platform.

Unlike those older orb style webcams from Logitech, there is no privacy shade to pull down over the lens. However, it does tilt, so you can tilt it towards the ceiling while not in use to prevent someone from spying on you (I was shocked to read, recently, that this is a real issue!). Or just unplug it!

Another first for me in a webcam--dual mics for stereo recording. They seem to do well masking out unwanted background noise while giving you crisp sound, or so I am told by the person I chat with. One sound issue I encountered during set up, worth mentioning, is that I had my USB headset plugged in at the time I installed the webcam, so the camera mic defaulted to my headset mic during setup. It was a simple fix to go into the webcam control preferences and set it back to the webcam mic, but at first I didn't know why I had almost inaudible sound. My fault, not the webcams.

The picture quality is the really impressive thing about this Logitech webcam. It sports an auto-focusing Carl Zeiss lens, the same as my digital camera! It captures both foreground and background images in amazing clarity, with video up to 1080p (selectable: 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p) and still images up to 10MP (selectable: 640x480, 1.2MP, 5MP, 10MP). Of course, that's local. When transmitting on a video call, you can get up to 720p, which is still pretty impressive. The C910 comes with Logitech Video Effects software for making filters, avatars, masks and fun effects etc. I have only used the webcam with MS Messenger, and it works perfectly.

About the only negative thing I have to say about the C910 is that the USB cable is rather on the short side--just shy of 5 feet in length, which for most users will reach from the top of their monitor to a USB port or hub somewhere on their desk (I plug mine into a hub on my desk). If your PC tower (and only USB port) is on the floor beside your desk, it won't be long enough to reach. Even though this was not an issue for me, I am knocking off a star for a short cable.

In conclusion, I'll just say that for such a small little camera, you get a big quality picture. This is definitely one of the best quality webcams out there.

Pros:

1.Outstanding image quality - true HD 1080p, smooth motion, good natural color, good contrast and depth of field in all light conditions (slight color distortion in very bright light)
2. Very good low light picture quality as compared to other web-cams in its class.
3. Best built-in mic in any web-cam to date. The dual stereo mics. are almost as good as a good headphone mic.
4. Low profile does not require desk-space like Orbit (although it allows you to set it on the desk not just on top of the monitor).
5. Solid, sturdy high quality feel - good fit & finish (not lightweight plastic)
6. Mounting features are simple & yet surprisingly versatile - good engineering Logitech
7. True Plug & Play - software and hardware installation could not be simpler
8. Good zoom, pan & tilt software implementation (within reasonable but limited range)
9. Motion detection is reasonably good
10. Adequate face following feature (a useful feature for video chat when moving around)

Cons:

1. The Face recognition application - "Fast Access" is a useful app but it is only 60 day trial version - no mention of price anywhere. Full disclosure would have been nice.
2. Skype cannot handle HD video yet, but Logitech Vid will do 720p.
3. Motion detection software needs improvement - eg: how long to record after motion is detected (note software allows control for how long to record motion, so if it detects continuous motion it will stop recording after the user specified time). I'd like to have the ability to specify how long to record after motion is detected (even if no further motion is detected)
4. Bundled application suite could be better and more comprehensive to take this excellent camera beyond a basic web-chat cam realm.

Summary:

I am a tech savvy, longtime Logitech Webcam user - Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 is by far the best to date. Image quality is outstanding, sound quality is the best of any webcam I have used. Installation and software is simple - true Plug & Play. IMHO Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 is the best the industry has to offer as of September 2010.

I cannot comment on video and picture editing software - I use other software and have no need for the bundled software.

What would I have liked more? Imagine if you could use this webcam as an IP security cam. Imagine a security-cam application with remote web and hand-held (I-phone, Droid etc.)access and e-mail alert capability - wouldn't that be great - even a paid application would be welcome. Better still if you could attach more than one camera. What if you could control these webcams remotely through the internet. In other words, now that Logitech has developed such superb hardware; it is time for better software applications. Perhaps Logitech should consider an "App Store" to encourage independent software application development.