Logitech’s QuickCam Pro 9000 offers a great combination of easy setup, a vibrant and clear image, auto focus, right light technology, and a built-in microphone.
Installation is quick, easy, and straightforward. Especially if you are using Windows, you simply need to install the included software and then plug in the webcam’s USB cord. The software used with the Pro 9000 is Logitech’s QuickCam Version 11. This works in a couple of ways; QuickCapture and then the QuickCam controls. QuickCapture is an application that can record video as well as take photos at your choice of resolution (320×240, 640×480, 960×720, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 mega pixels). It also has a gallery for viewing photos or video. In the controls application you use the video effects (like a cartoon overlay), privacy shade, and adjust the settings. The settings that you can control are pan/tilt, zoom, auto/manual focus, face tracking, brightness, contrast, color intensity, and white balance. Apart from those main video controls there are audio controls, the RightLight adjustment, advances settings, and then controlling how you want the camera to work with your system (where files are stored, default applications, etc.). The sliders adjust for brightness, contrast, color intensity, and white balance, but in my opinion the best results are by enabling RightLight and leaving it. The camera is set up horizontally, with the lens on the left and the mic on the right.
The stand can be fitted in to stand up on top of a desk or sit on top of a laptop. However, finding the right placement can be a bit tricky. There were quite a few complaints online discussing the difficulty setting up the camera on smaller notebooks. This design is a bit simplistic and does not allow any sort of clamping or secure mounting, but it does allow it to fit on practically any display. Also, once you find “the spot” it stays in place quite well.
As far as sound is concerned, I have no complaints with the product. The single microphone is not the best on the market, but if you speak right into the mic the sound is great. If you set it to be too sensitive it will pick up a lot of background noise, but this can be adjusted to fit your surroundings. If you usually stay about 2-3 feet from the microphone and talk right towards it, this microphone should be just fine.
In addition to using a Carl Zeiss lens, the QuickCam Pro 9000 features Logitech’s RightLight 2 technology, which I found to be far better at automatically adjusting the image than anything you get from Creative or Microsoft. In a dimly lit room the RightLight technology was able to lighten the image so that shadows were removed from your face but not to the point of overexposing the image. The QuickCam Pro 9000 features a 2-megapixel sensor. It can record video up to a resolution of 1,600×1,200 and can snap still photos up to 8-mega pixels. The face recognition feature is appealing, but it had one drawback. When there are multiple people or things in the screen it tends to pick up on the larger objects. Other than that it auto zoomed and focused on your face so the person viewing you could see you more clearly. Logitech’s QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam easily outperforms the competition in more ways than one, and its High Quality Video features make it a great choice for using Skype.
If you are in the market for a new webcam, or looking to upgrade your old one, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is highly recommended. The stellar video quality, RightLight technology, and added Logitech Vid software give Logitech the edge in the blooming and booming webcam industry. 
Specifications
- Carl Zeiss lens
- Auto focus system
- Ultra-high resolution 2-megapixel sensor with RightLight 2 Technology
- Color depth: 24-bit true color
- Video capture: Up to 1600 x 1200 pixels (HD quality) (HD Video 960 x 720 pixels)
- Frame rate: Up to 30 frames per second
- Still image capture: 8 million pixels (with software enhancement)
- Built-in microphone
The opinions expressed in this review are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Father Life, Inc., or its owners. The author received a review sample of the product but did not receive any other compensation.
Pat Walter is a 25 year old operations manager at New Heart Worship Center. He is also a minister, as well as a public speaker and writer. Pat is the husband of his beautiful bride Kaylarie and father of his son Benaiah. They reside in Federal Way, WA.