Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 with 1080p Video

This product has far surpassed my expectations. While it took a bit of work to set up, it wasn't really all that difficult aside from deciding what NOT to install, as several optional programs are offered. It pays to review the video clips for all of them so you can make an intelligent selection as to what you actually want for your particular needs. I consider myself to be an advanced amateur as I game quite a bit and have done several product installations in the past. But I don't do coding, or mess with BIOS, etc. (none of the dangerous stuff!)
The camera's video and photo quality is top notch. Tried waving very fast to see whether it could track without lag. No problem! This is a change from what I've seen in the past where the result would be very choppy. Also must highly recommend connecting with Skype (one of the optional programs) for keeping up with distant relatives and friends. You will find however, that the quality of transmission is highly dependent on both your or your recipient's connection and bandwidth. One of my sons was trying to use his laptop from Georgia with a card that makes his web connection. Lots of choppiness noted. Another one connected to me from Alaska. I'm in Indiana. We both have cable connections. Was outstanding and a great way to keep in touch. Also many fun toys to play with. Some of them are integral to the camera itself, some are on the optional programs.
My favorite so far is the Skype capability of making a box to show what is on your desktop then transmitting it to whoever you're viewing. Enabled us to play and record home movies back and forth with minimal learning curve. I went with the $2.99/month unlimited service plan so I could connect with my youngest son's cell phone. Otherwise, it's that magical price: FREE!
As for the webcam itself, it is truly high-definition, 1080p, no choppiness noted, outstanding color, easy to use once you get set up. The only idea I have for improving it is to make it wireless. Would be nice to be able to walk around with it and show things not in the immediate area of my desktop. Sound and microphone capabilities are also outstanding. Your results will of course depend on the quality of the rest of your equipment and how beefy your web connection is. Am using this with Windows 7 64-bit. Display is a Samsung 26" 1080p monitor. My speakers are Klipsh Promedia THX, and my computer is an Ibuypower running on an Intel Core i7 960, with 2 Nvidia GTX 275 video cards in SLI. I use Comcast's 16 Gigabyte cable service for internet. Overall, I give this product 5 stars. Gave it a 4 in installation, but that may be because it took me about 1/2 hour just to sort through everything and pick out what was most useful. Much better having to spend a bit of time shopping, however, than not having enough support built in, which has been my experience with several similar products.

Pros:

1.Outstanding image quality - true HD 1080p, smooth motion, good natural color, good contrast and depth of field in all light conditions (slight color distortion in very bright light)
2. Very good low light picture quality as compared to other web-cams in its class.
3. Best built-in mic in any web-cam to date. The dual stereo mics. are almost as good as a good headphone mic.
4. Low profile does not require desk-space like Orbit (although it allows you to set it on the desk not just on top of the monitor).
5. Solid, sturdy high quality feel - good fit & finish (not lightweight plastic)
6. Mounting features are simple & yet surprisingly versatile - good engineering Logitech
7. True Plug & Play - software and hardware installation could not be simpler
8. Good zoom, pan & tilt software implementation (within reasonable but limited range)
9. Motion detection is reasonably good
10. Adequate face following feature (a useful feature for video chat when moving around)

Cons:

1. The Face recognition application - "Fast Access" is a useful app but it is only 60 day trial version - no mention of price anywhere. Full disclosure would have been nice.
2. Skype cannot handle HD video yet, but Logitech Vid will do 720p.
3. Motion detection software needs improvement - eg: how long to record after motion is detected (note software allows control for how long to record motion, so if it detects continuous motion it will stop recording after the user specified time). I'd like to have the ability to specify how long to record after motion is detected (even if no further motion is detected)
4. Bundled application suite could be better and more comprehensive to take this excellent camera beyond a basic web-chat cam realm.

Summary:

I am a tech savvy, longtime Logitech Webcam user - Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 is by far the best to date. Image quality is outstanding, sound quality is the best of any webcam I have used. Installation and software is simple - true Plug & Play. IMHO Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 is the best the industry has to offer as of September 2010.

I cannot comment on video and picture editing software - I use other software and have no need for the bundled software.

What would I have liked more? Imagine if you could use this webcam as an IP security cam. Imagine a security-cam application with remote web and hand-held (I-phone, Droid etc.)access and e-mail alert capability - wouldn't that be great - even a paid application would be welcome. Better still if you could attach more than one camera. What if you could control these webcams remotely through the internet. In other words, now that Logitech has developed such superb hardware; it is time for better software applications. Perhaps Logitech should consider an "App Store" to encourage independent software application development.

I got this in the mail today. It came intact and I used it already. Its fun and very clear. It was an easy setup on my Windows 7 machine. It was ready to use in 10 minutes. I wish the cord was longer but it was an easy fix with an extender I already had. Now I only wish my friends and family would get one so I can see them better!

I am so happy to be one of the first to purchase a 1080p HD web cam. I am very impressed with the quality of the picture and sound that this small camera produces. It comes with software that allows you to do avatars, photos and creative videos. I especially like its auto focus and stereo sound ability. You can do 1080p videos and with one click, upload your HD video to YouTube and Facebook. For the moment online video chats are limited to 720p image size but the software allows you to do that. I would highly recommend this camera.

Pro: GREAT picture, GREAT sound. Very happy, over all.
Con: The cord is unbelievably short, though. Wonder why they did that! Perhaps thinking that many newer computer have USB plugs on the monitor?
Good buy, though. Recomend!