Logitech Aims To Improve The WebCam Experience
Webcams are rubbish aren’t they? Low resolution, poor performance in low light and the ability to make you look like a right Charlie as you can’t decide whether to look at the camera or at your screen and end up looking somewhere in between. Logitech may be about to change all of that with their QuickCam Fusion.
With a true 1.3 megapixel sensor, Logitech RightLight technology, Logitech RightSound technology and an integrated microphone, the QuickCam Fusion webcam vastly improves audio and video performance over previous-generation webcams.
Best of all the new low-profile design brings the webcam closer to eye level. Instead of sitting high above the computer’s monitor, the eyeball-shaped lens rests only slightly above the display. A flexible clip can attach to any display, whether it’s a traditional desktop display or a flat-panel display. The webcam design itself is smaller than other Logitech webcams - the webcam lens housing is only 1.6 inches tall.
“The introduction of the QuickCam Fusion webcam is truly a milestone for consumer video communications,” said Gina Clark, director of product marketing for the Logitech Video Business Unit. “We’re breaking new ground with our webcam technologies - audio and video, hardware and software - making the experience of video calling over the Internet more natural and more personal than ever before.”
The Logitech QuickCam Fusion webcam uses Logitech RightLight technology, which is a system of hardware and firmware technologies that improves the image quality of a webcam in a wide variety of lighting conditions, particularly in low light. Logitech RightLight technology consists of advanced sensor technology, sophisticated firmware and high-quality lenses that work together to deliver greater light sensitivity and optimized skin tones, while minimizing distortion of the images.
The Logitech QuickCam Fusion webcam also features an ultra-wide field of view lens, which provides 78 degrees of visibility - making it convenient for an entire family to join a video call. The Logitech QuickCam Fusion webcam can capture still images at resolutions of up to 1.3 megapixels without software enhancement, or up to 4 megapixels with software enhancement. This is also Logitech’s first webcam certified to support the faster data rates of Hi-Speed USB.
With an integrated microphone, a bundled stereo headset and Logitech RightSound technology, the QuickCam Fusion webcam provides people with flexibility in how they conduct video calls, while maximizing audio performance. Until now, using a webcam with a live audio and video calling application required wearing a headset because of echo, or feedback, created by computer speakers and microphones located in close proximity. Integrated with the webcam’s software drivers, Logitech RightSound technology consists of advanced software algorithms that eliminate echo, so people can communicate freely without a headset - just as they would when they’re in the same room as a friend or a family member. For a private conversation, a high-quality stereo headset is also included.
The Logitech QuickCam Fusion webcam has a suggested retail price of $99.99 in the U.S. It will be available at retailers and online beginning this month in both the U.S. and Europe.
Add comment August 15th, 2005
We love this idea behind this completely blank keyboard. The makers claim that it will speed up your typing by making you remember where the keys are rather than looking down. TechSmec.com is slightly dubious about that, but it will give you extra kudos from your geek friends.