| | |  | Security & Surveillance | Home » » Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 Webcam for PC Audio/Video Internet Camera (961419-0403) | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | The Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 is the ideal camera for video chat and conferencing. With expanded video coverage and multi-person intelligent face-tracking, you can include friends and family without the distortion common in less-advanced cameras. Designed to provide a more enjoyable video calling experience, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 exclusive video and audio technologies combine to ensure excellent VGA performance. Logitech's RightLight technology ensures sharp video and still pictures even in dim light, while RightSound technology provides clear, echo-free audio with or without a headset. The versatile monitor clip works on virtually any flat panel, CRT, or notebook display, and the activity light lets you know when you're "live." With the QuickCam Pro 5000, you'll enjoy a truly personal conversation online. Express your unique personality by using Logitech Video Effects. Choose 3D animated avatars that imitate your facial expressions and head movements, or 2D face accessories that allow you to change your look with glasses, hats and more. They're fun and easy to use with programs such as MSN Messenger Video Conversation, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, and others.
The QuickCam Pro 5000 features a high resolution of 640x480 for a sharp picture. Don't be left in the dark! RightLight technology, a new imaging system from Logitech, provides the most natural, realistic video images in virtually any lighting condition through the combination of high-performance sensors, state-of-the-art optics, and advanced image processing technology. Along with video, this webcam offers clear, echo-free audio with RightSound technology. This will allow you to have more natural conversations using either the built-in microphone or a headset. What's Included: Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 Camera with built-in mic, 6' USB cable, adjustable base, QuickCam software CD, instruction manual, 2 year manufacturer's direct warranty. | | | Features: | |
• View your subject more clearly with a 640x480 VGA sensor for crisp images
• Realistic video images in virtually any lighting condition
• Enjoy clear, echo-free audio with RightSound technology
• Compatible with Windows Live Messenger, AIM, and Yahoo! Messenger
• Take up to 1.3 Megapixel photos (software enhanced)
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 9.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 4.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 9.0 inches | | Package Length:
| 9.1 inches | | Package Width:
| 9.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 3.6 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.6 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 225 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 225 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
339 of 343 found the following review helpful:
One of the best webcams out there. Quickcam Pro 5000 vs. Quickcam FusionJun 10, 2006
By Kiyo M.
Trust me, you don't want to waste your money on a cheap webcam. The price for this item might seem a little expensive for a webcam, but you get what you pay for: it's much better quality, design, smooth video, and extra features.
The Quickcam Fusion uses a CMOS sensor, whereas the Quickcam Pro 5000 uses CCD. Fusion does use a higher CMOS sensor compared to low-end webcams, BUT low quality webcams also still use CMOS technology. Most will argue CCD as being better than CMOS. Granted, the results also show (read on further).
- The Quickcam Fusion can tilt 90 degrees back, but it can't tilt forward AND it CANNOT swivel from side to side.
- The Quickcam Pro 5000 can tilt 45 degrees up, about 10 degrees down, AND 360 degrees to the sides. The Quickcam Pro 5000 wins in terms of mobility.
The rubber tail is much more flexible on the Quickcam Pro 5000. You can straighten the tail to lay flat on a desk or on top of a CRT monitor; or bend to put it on your LCD monitor. Unlike the Quickcam Pro 4000, the 5000 does not come with a second base to attach; I mean, there's really no need for it since you can just adjust the tail.
If you plan on taking lots of STILL pictures with the webcam, then the Fusion would be a better choice. The Quickcam Fusion is true 1.3 mega pixel; whereas the Quickcam Pro 5000 is 1.3 mega pixel INTERPOLATED -- meaning it is software enhanced to create a high resolution still picture. However, the whole point of a webcam is for video, anyway; they have digital cameras for taking still pictures. So, in terms of video, the Quickcam Pro 5000, overall, has a clearer video with more vibrant colors. However, bright light will look washed out in white. The Fusion doesn't do a good job with fast motion, as it will blur -- but it does, however, do a better job in low light conditions.
The Logitech Pro 5000 has a wide lens of 63 degrees; the Fusion has a wider lens of 78 degrees. If you plan on using the webcam with lots of members, then the Fusion would probably do a better job of fitting everyone on the screen; however, if you plan to use it alone more often, the Logitech Pro 5000 would be a better choice.
With the Logitech's top-line webcams -- Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000, Quickcam Fusion, and Quickcam Orbit -- includes the Logitech Video Effects. With only those Logitech webcams, you can add cool special effects on yourself, like glasses or gas mask, while you chat with your friends. Like the face tracking feature -- as freaky as this may sound -- it will try to recognize the position of your eyes, nose and mouth and add those special effects on you. I really like this feature and it makes chatting a lot more fun. However, don't expect it to work 100% perfectly: moving around too much would make the special effects disappear and the camera would need to detect your face again; it can be a pain for many, especially when it complains that there isn't enough light to detect. It'll probably work better for people with distinct big eyes and lips. I am Asian but it still worked for me. (Um, whatever that means.) Just remember not to move around too much. You can also choose different avatars, such as a 3D shark, that will follow your movements. The Logitech Video Effects is an extra feature, which some may not really appreciate, but when it works, trust me, it is a lot of fun. You can download more video effects from Logitech's website. Along with the video effects, you can also record video at 640x480 and save it as a (somewhat) compressed AVI.
You can adjust the exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, white balance, gamma, mirror horizontal/vertical, etc. The microphone is located above the green LED on the webcam, and it does a really good job picking up sound.
If you prefer a more modern look then you'd probably lean more towards the Fusion, whereas the Quickcam Pro still has the early round eye-ball webcam 1.0 look. But personally, I like the black finish and silver rings on the Pro 5000; it goes well with my black monitor. However, what's more important is the video performance. Overall, the Quickcam Pro 5000 is one of the best webcams out there today. Don't settle for a cheap webcam - it's just a waste of money.
IMPORTANT: The software CD inside the package might be outdated (most likely), so don't use it if it is. Just download the latest from Logitech's website. And make sure you install the software first, before connecting the camera, to avoid any further issues.
74 of 77 found the following review helpful:
 excellent video qualityJan 17, 2006
By David
I've used this webcam with 3 different people so far, and they all report good image quality. One person said that, when the video is viewed full screen, the picture quality is almost as good as a standard definition TV. From my perspective, I could only judge the picture quality of the other parties, and they were pretty poor, probably because they used cheap webcams that were a few years old.
I have used 2 different instant messaging software, MSN and Skype 2.0 beta. While the picture qualities were similar, Skype had significantly better frame rate, and hence motion was not as jerky. However, neither system even came close to 30 frames/sec.
One tip I have is that if your room is dark or you have strong backlighting, you should switch on the low light setting in the software.
57 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 Great Camera, Horrible SoftwareJul 07, 2006
By tagger9
"tagger9"
I've tried several different webcams, and the Logitech 5000 by far has the best image. Its especially good under low light conditions, where the other cameras I tried didn't work very well. I use the 5000 regularly for videoconferencing via Skype, and it works very well with this service.
The software, however, is downright awful. When trying to set the audio, for instance, the whole system will freeze up completely. I couldn't kill the process at all, and I couldn't even reboot - I had to physically hit the power switch on the computer to restart it. As a programmer, I can tell you that it takes some pretty bad coding to completely lock up a system like that. As a workaround, I had to change the settings on my microphone manually in windows Control Panel and then never ever touch the Logitech camera settings program.
In scanning the web, I've noticed that many other users have had similar problems with their Logitech software. Its a shame that Logitech would release such a nice piece of hardware with such horrible software. So, if you buy this product, cross your fingers that their software will work with your system.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Good webcam, if its compatible with your PCOct 20, 2006
By stem_cell
Read the great reviews here so I bought two Pro 5000 webcams. Installed with the included software (v9.5) and got the notorious BSOD (blue screen). Tried on 2 different boxes, both nearly new mid-range Dells; same result. Software installs fine but as soon as the computer detects the webcam hardware it barfs. Forums on the web (including Logitech) show that this problem has a high occurence rate and not just on Dells.
There is a new version (10.0.0 Build 1439) downloadable from the Logitech website; surprisingly, it installed cleanly and smoothly with no problems. BTW, there is no upgrade path from v9.x to 10.0, it has to be a new install.
Performance: works quite well (at least with Skype 2.0), especially in low-light settings. For high back-light issues, override the automatic setting under Advanced Settings and adjust the gain. Face-tracking was bothersome, too distracting with all the zoom-in/zoom-out movement, I eventually disabled it. Automatically recognizes resident software that could use the webcam (Skype, MSN/AOL/Yahoo/Windows Messenger). If you opt to not use the headset you will find that the echo cancellation works well. v10 software records in wmv format, not avi (v 9.5), for those who care. Avatar concept is interesting. Not happy that the included software didn't work but pleased with the final outcome.
My advice would be to create a system restore point (XP) before you start this process because there are some very frustrated end-users reporting unresolved problems with v9.5 and v10.0 ranging from corrupted OSes, BSODs and 100% CPU utilization(v10.0). Most of the problems seem to be with the newer machines running XP. My CPU utilization rate is high (50%) for the quickcam10.exe process, this is on a Pentium D820 dual core running XP SP2. Easily met the system requirements and one would think that with the CPU resources allocated to this process I would get the advertised 30 fps, not so, there is definitely a noticeable lag when moderate movement occurs.
Bottom line, works very well on my 2 PCs with Logitech v10 software. I would give a 4 star for performance, however with the reported problems and potential user research time for compatibility issues I will downgrade to an overall 3 star rating.
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Keeping a dispersed family togetherFeb 23, 2006
By Paul Patterson
I have purchased five of these cameras for distant family members, all of whom are seniors and largely casual computer users. In every case, they have reported that installation of the camera's software and hardware went smoothly and without incident.
The Quickcam works seamlessly with instant messaging software freely available on the Internet. This software enables you and your correspondents to know when each other is online and available to engage in a video conversation. We have encountered some difficulties with MSN Messenger. Navigating the maze of commercially-oriented distractions, in order to acquire the necessary .NET Passport, which is a prerequisite to downloading MSN Messenger itself, can be a challenge. Downloading and installing Skype, on the other hand, is as easy and simple as installing the camera.
The QuickCam provides superbly sharp images, adjusting itself automatically to maintain the right exposure level. Color balance depends on available lighting and is not automatic. For those who want to tweak the balance, rather than change the lighting, the software provides a means to adjust the balance to obtain the most pleasing color tones.
The QuickCam Pro comes with a built-in microphone, but I can't comment on its sound quality. My family had already been using headset microphones to carry on audio conversations, with Net2Phone and Skype. We split the audio signal coming out of the computer's sound card, with a duplex adapter picked up at Radio Shack. That way, we can hear through both the headphones and the speakers; turning down the speaker volume, if necessary to avoid echoes, and turning it up to share the conversation with others in the room. With the Quickcam Pro, we have so far simply continued to use the headsets, rather than change over to relying on the computer's speakers and the microphone built into the camera. If one keeps the speaker volume down and arranges their placement relative to the Quickcam's microphone, to avoid feedback, one could eliminate the fumbling around we now go through in locating, disentangling the wires and putting on the headset when a call comes in.
Another plus for the Quickcam Pro is that it works with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Two qualifications, however. First, before you purchase a Quickcam Pro 5000, check your computer's specifications against the system requirements listed on the box. Your computer must be using a recent version of its operating software and have a processor speed faster than 500 MHz. The Quickcam Pro software will not install on a computer that can't handle the processing demands of streaming video images with 1.3 megapixel resolution. Second, for a social experience which is not constantly distracted by the breaking up of sound and images, it is really necessary to have a high-speed connection to the Internet. If these two conditions are met, you can look forward to endless hours of free, "almost as good as being there" visits with family and friends.
See all 225 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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