Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3UCJ3Z8E1LRAR Note: This video may be of a better quality on Ustream: [...]
Video transcript: This is a Mac only review; I'm running the webcam on a Macbook with OS 10.5.2. My reason for buying the webcam was convenience: my desk setup involves the laptop itself being hooked to an external monitor and in a drawer out of sight. The fewer the wires, the better.
I wanted to use the webcam for video recording and livestreaming, chatting too. As far as Ustream.tv goes, working with over-the-web video, I think this cam is ideal. I had no problems with it. Most of the time internet video doesn't have the best frame rate anyway, and this one really delivered. The camera itself is capable of HD and has a really nice sound quality. I debated picking up a USB mic, but didn't, because this webcam has everything I need as far as a mic goes built in.
The "cool" factor of the webcam: I spent a few days looking for just the right one, and this is the coolest looking webcam I found. It sits very solid on top of the monitor but is still easy to move around, if you need to.
Now, desktop applications: I tested it out (and wanted to get it to work in) Photo Booth, iMovie, and Quicktime Pro.
I'm able to gather that the hardware is both Mac and PC compatible, while the software that comes with the camera is PC only. The end result of this is that the camera the Mac user has has no preferences or control for the hardware. Zooming, quality control, etc. isn't controllable.
Photo Booth: taking still shots looked great. Video recording had a terrible frame rate. Audio was great, but frame rate was unacceptable.
iMovie: turns out (as far as I can find out) that in order to use an external camera (vs. the iSight) the connection must be Firewire. This camera's connection is USB. Using this webcam isn't an option, within iMovie itself. Keep in mind that you can record with Photo Booth and then import it to iMovie. But, of course, the frame rate of Photo Booth videos isn't any good.
Quicktime Pro: Although it costs $[...] to purchase, Quicktime does a bit of a better job recording video on this webcam. I still don't like the frame rate. Despite Quicktime claiming that it is recording at a 30fps, there's no way that's actually what it is. Again, this goes back to the inability of the hardware of the webcam to be controlled by the Mac.
Overall, I'd say this is great for the online video streaming/chatting I want to use it for, mainly. But don't pick this one up if you want to use it for high quality video. It is not comparable to the iSight when it comes to the video.
For various webcam difficulties with Mac, try searching "Macam" or "iUSBCam" on Google or YouTube. There are tutorials and information about how they may be able to help you. No promises, though.Get more detail about Logitech Webcam Pro 9000.
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