Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 with full 1080p HD recording HD 720p video calling on most major IM apps dual microphones for lifelike stereo audio and 10 MegaPixel photos software enhanced works with MAC OS X 105 and higher and Windows 960000598 Ca

The picture quality is the really impressive thing about this Logitech webcam. It sports an auto-focusing Carl Zeiss lens, the same as my digital camera! It captures both foreground and background images in amazing clarity, with video up to 1080p (selectable: 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p) and still images up to 10MP (selectable: 640x480, 1.2MP, 5MP, 10MP). Of course, that's local. When transmitting on a video call, you can get up to 720p, which is still pretty impressive. The C910 comes with Logitech Video Effects software for making filters, avatars, masks and fun effects etc. I have only used the webcam with MS Messenger, and it works perfectly. 

Mic functions even when you are not using the imaging element under USB Unknown Audio Input and in some software it self selected. It isn't good enough for intense talking-to- software like Rosetta Stone which is listening for pitch and precise pronunciation. Maybe if you hold it close to your mouth it would work well enough even for that application but you don't want to be holding a camera as you'll smudge and eventually scratch the lens by handling it. If you can find a way to mount closer to your face but keep your hands off it, then you can solve that little problem as well.

However, one drawback I have discovered is that the smaller size and slightly differences in shape of the "foot" means that the C910 is a little "wobbly" when perched on top of the screen of my laptop, whereas the Pro-9000 was absolutely solid. The "grip" system of the C910 is based on the same principle as that of the Pro9000, ie it is a friction grip, and not a "spring clip" or an actual clamp. I think if the foot was about a cm longer (still smaller than the Pro 9000) it might be more stable, or possibly the Pro9000 is more stable simply because it is heavier. This is not a problem on my desktop monitor, or if my laptop is on the desk, rather then actually on my lap. On my lap, or on a train, the cam can wobble a bit with any movement of the laptop. 


To summarise: 
PRO: 
-superb cam performance, both sound and picture 
- simple and robust software installation, no conflicts or problems found with Windows 7. 
- reasonably compact size 
CON: 
- does not sit stable on laptop display 
- no carrying case to protect it in my computer bag. 


However, I still highly recommend Logitech, and this model in particular.

Kindle Keyboard, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display

Kindle Keyboard, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display

Kindle is a great choice if you already have a high-speed internet connection and wireless router setup at home, and do not want the added convenience of a 3G connection which enables you to download books anytime, anywhere on the go. If you do not have Wi-Fi setup in your home, Kindle 3G would be a better option. Easy to use and all functions well explained in the handbook. Any queries easily researched.Data transfer to and from a PC/Mac for PDFs, etc., is as easy as it could be, and all in all an excellent design.

The book browsing and buying experience is good, as expected. It's perfectly fast on WiFi. I haven't really had cause to test the 3G yet. The experimental web-browsing function works quite well on Wikipedia, although is not something I'm particularly interested in on an e-reader. The music plays nicely, and the text-to-voice function is pretty good, although everything sounds like it's being read by Stephen Hawking. However, the quality of the speakers is very good (better, I think, than on my iphone) and so proper audiobooks come across loud and clear. These are certainly interesting features and it doesn't do any harm for them to be there. 

There's a free Minesweeper game if you press ALT+SHIFT+M. This is quite a fun 'easter egg', but I wouldn't want to encourage Amazon to detract from the main function of the device: reading. Not sure why there's an unused microphone on the device either. Goodness knows what they're planning. :) 

I've had the device running with WiFi turned on for 6 days now and it's just started telling me that the battery is beginning to run low. I'd say there's still about 10% left in it, judging by the little battery symbol. That's impressive, considering I've been using it a lot. I'll probably turn the WiFi off between book purchases in future, though. It's going to be great for holidays. 

Battery life - Excellent. I have not quite managed the 10 days that are mentioned with Wireless always switched on but then again I have been using the Kindle a lot over the last couple of days! 

Comics - Hmm, I have tried this with a couple of things. Something like `Calvin and Hobbes' works brilliantly so newspaper cartoons are a definite plus. However I also put on a couple of Batman comics on PDF and these were not great - I could not really zoom properly so changed the viewing mode to landscape (just press the Aa button on the keypad and change it from there) and this just chopped the comic page in half which is not ideal. I think this would be a much better experience if you used the 9.7 inch screen on the DX. 

Overall, Superb device in pretty much every aspect. I have read 4 books on it in less than a week, it literally invites you to read. Superb design and functionality. Hardly any gripes at all and a couple of software patches could make it even better than it is. And definitely make sure you get the leather case and light for it. It makes an already brilliant device even better.