Adjusting The Cameras : Two IM Cameras That Do The Job

Adjusting The Cameras

By Sheloman Byrd, published on October 4, 2005
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: two, im, cameras, that, do, the, job

Contents

5. Adjusting The Cameras
6. The Verdict

5. Adjusting The Cameras

QuickCam Orbit MP Webcam
- OfficeMax
- $129.99

The Logitech's Quick Assistant is a great addition, as most of the options are literally one click away. You can use the mouse to adjust the position of the lens, zoom, picture resolution and face tracking (single and multiple) options.

The Live Motion lacks a Quick Assistant, and instead uses the main window to adjust the camera lens, etc. However, in addition to normal and multiple face-tracking, it offers "smart" face-tracking, which waits until you stop moving and then adjusts with an auto-zoom feature.

Videos

Both cameras' face-tracking ability is remarkable. For fairness, the sample videos below were recorded using the single face-tracking option.

Orbit MP

The Logitech uses the RightSound technology for high-quality voice recording, and you actually don't need to use the headset.

Live Motion

The Creative also has high-quality sound and the picture speaks for itself. However, the Creative device should not be placed on a rippling surface, such as on the top of your computer with face tracking on. It is highly sensitive to vibration. Otherwise, we have no complaints. The Logitech's base is a lot thicker, and hence unaffected.

IM Performance

For daytime chats, the Live Motion displays color better than the Orbit, thanks to the advanced CCD lens, but with some adjustments in the options menu, the Orbit also performed well. Both webcams produced nearly instantaneous video transmission at high-resolution with all IM programs. Nighttime with the lights off, their performance is excellent, but the edge once again goes to the Live Motion and it's representation of color.

NOTE: MSN and AOL Messenger handled them equally well, but the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger had issues with the Logitech - specifically with the program locking up, not the camera malfunctioning. I'm willing to bet that this is more software-related than anything. For those of you who use an all-purpose messaging hub like Trillian Pro, you should be fine.