BIOS: Technology Means Business

Logitech’s latest Web camera is the affordable QuickCam Communicate STX Plus. Designed specifically for Windows Live Messenger, the eyeball-shaped camera also supports other popular instant messaging applications (including Skype), as well as Microsoft’s latest operating system, Vista. Sporting a super modern black-and-silver design, the QuickCam Communicate STX Plus even comes with a matching headset, ideal for those who like to work while they chat.

Windows Live Messenger - one of the next generation software services from Microsoft - is the latest version of MSN Messenger. MSN Messenger is currently the world’s most popular free instant messaging service, with 255 million customers worldwide. The QuickCam Communicate STX Plus (Best Current Price: £39.20/$37.50) was created specifically to make Windows Live Messenger’s free video calling feature as easy to use as possible for people communicating over the Internet.

While the feature normally connects people with one simple click of a button, the QuickCam Communicate STX Plus takes this simplicity one step further. The Web camera is optimised for Windows Live Messenger and offers a privacy shade (pull-down cover) which mutes the video stream when closed and launches Windows Live Messenger by default the moment it is opened.

Designed specifically for desktop computers, unfortunately the QuickCam Communicate STX Plus’ design doesn’t permit it to sit comfortably onto a laptop’s display. Having said that, with a little moulding of the rubber stand you can get it to function. The only downside it that you’ll have to tilt your laptop’s screen a little too forward in order to frame your entire face.

The QuickCam Communicate STX Plus features a decent VGA CMOS sensor with a resolution of 640x480 pixels (30fps), and enhanced image performance even if lighting is less than ideal. Logitech has been a little naughty with its product description, claiming the Web camera captures 1.3-Megapixel images. Look at the smallprint on the side of the box and you’ll soon realise that the Web camera captures video at 640x480 pixels and still images up to 1-Megapixels with software interpolation. In other words, you won’t get full-screen video streaming.

Logitech’s latest Web camera is a solid choice for those who want a relatively complete (think stereo headset), affordable and relatively stylish offering that delivers image quality good enough for most personal instant messaging needs. Having said that, it’s not without some serious shortcomings. Logitech’s ‘RightLight’ technology (automatic exposure compensation) is a little slow when the subject moves around, plus it doesn’t handle strong backlighting easily, tending to blow out highlights.

Focus is fixed, leaving the picture less than sharp, and the relatively narrow field of view makes it hard to fit more than one person in the frame. Audio from the integrated microphone was sometimes prone to white noise, but the comfortable stereo headset was much clearer. Lastly, Logitech’s own QuickCam software takes snapshots, video clips and makes video e-mails, but doesn’t include motion detection (only gimmicky face tracking).

Logitech has specifically optimised it for use with the popular Windows Live Messenger, adding a launch function on the Web camera’s privacy shade to make the whole experience as simple as possible. It’s not the most feature-rich nor capable Web camera on the market, but the QuickCam Communicate STX Plus makes setting up a video conversation simple, leaving you more time to enjoy face-to-face contact over the Internet with family and friends across the country or around the world. [6]

[Best Web Camera Pricing UK]
[Best Web Camera Pricing US]