Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX | 
| Brand: Logitech
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $39.95
You Save: $10.04 (20%)
New (17) Used (7) Refurbished (1) from $16.00
Rating:  102 reviews
Sales Rank: 583
Format: Cd
Platform: Windows
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Windows
Native Resolution: 640x480
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 8 x 3 x 8
Warranty: 2 years warranty
MPN: 961464-0403
Model: 961464-0403
UPC: 097855039491
EAN: 0840356610009
ASIN: B000GP845M
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Free, high quality video calls with synchronized audio | | • | Works with Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, and AIM | | • | Integrated microphone with RightSound technology | | • | RightLight technology provides bright images in low light situations |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Video communication made easy. QuickCam Communicate STX takes your video communications to the next level. Clearer video with 640 x 480 VGA quality and RightLight technology provides improved image clarity even in low light, and your calls are always echo-free with the integrated microphone and RightSound technology. - Enjoy free, high quality video calls with synchronized audio via Skype?full-screen with Windows Live Messenger.
- Make live video calls to friends and family! Enjoy two-way, real-time video calls with integrated audio?the perfect way to stay in touch with friends and family.
Works with these applications (not all services available in all areas):      Features:  | |  | |  | | | | | | | VGA video sensor with RightLight technology
Sharper images and video performance even in dim lighting. | | Integrated Microphone with RightSound technology
Logitech's exclusive RightSound technology ensures your voice comes through clearly and echo-free. | | Switched privacy shade
Makes launching, muting and closing video sessions easy. | - Free HP Photosmart Essentials software - Edit and print your photos (web download required).
- Set-up is in 3 quick steps - Logitech software walks you through the process.
- Snapshot button - Taking stills is fast and easy.
- Flexible clip - Attaches to any monitor or notebook, and stands on a tabletop.
System Requirements: - Pentium II 500, Celeron, Athlon processor or higher
- Microsoft Windows 98SE, 2000, Me or XP
- Available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port
- Windows compatible soundcard and speakers
- 16-bit color display adapter
- CD-ROM drive
- 200 MB free hard drive space
- 64 MB RAM minimum
Hardware: - Sensor: High quality VGA
- Video Capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels
- Still Image Capture: 1.3 mexapixels (interpolated)
- Video File Type: AVI
- Still Image File Types: BMP, JPEG
- Frame Rate: Up to 30 frames per second (with recommended system)
- Field of View: 42 degrees horizontal
- Optics: Fixed focus
- USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant
- Cable length: 6 ft. USB cable
Applications for Windows - Live video calls with free trial of Logitech VideoCall for broadband
- Live video integrated with MSN Messenger
- Live video on AIM/AOL Instant Messenger
- Works with Yahoo! Messenger
- Works with Windows Messenger (XP only)
- Includes Logitech QuickCam software for capturing stills and videos
- Web camming software
Package Contents: - Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX camera
- 6 ft. USB cable
- Round desktop base
- Adjustable monitor clip
- Installation CD, including user guide
- Quick-start guide
- Bundled software
- 2-year warranty
Product Description
STX will make your online chats, conversations and friendships far more compelling whether you want to improve your video IM or upgrade to video calling. The Communicate STX works with all popular Instant Messenger services, including AIM, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Messenger (on XP). You'll get ultra sharp video IM and the STX will let you know you're live with its vivid blue activity light. Get ready for the next level in Internet communication. Make live video calls and share photos seamlessly with Logitech's VideoCall for broadband. Communicate STX even lets you go full-screen and make it a snap to attach videos & photos to email. The STX is easy to set up, includes a free clip to fit virtually any CRT monitor, flat panel display or notebook PC, and comes complete with all of the software you need for an outstanding video communication experience. Talk face-to-face online with this Web camera that features RightLight technology to ensure image clarity even in dim lighting and RightSound technology for echo-free voice transmission. Compatible with all major online messaging applications such as Windows Live, Yahoo, AOL, Skype and others Snapshot button for capturing still images Activity light works like the on-air indicator at a radio station PC compatible, USB 1.1 or 2.0 System Requirements - Windows 2000 or XP, Pentium 4 (1.4GHz) or AMD Athlon Processor 1GHz, 128MB RAM, 200MB free hard drive space, available USB port, CD-ROM drive
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| Customer Reviews: Read 97 more reviews...
Mac compatible April 20, 2007
red_ber (St. Louis, MO USA)
55 out of 57 found this review helpful
I just want to confirm that this camera is indeed compatible with a Mac, and works reasonably well with Skype. My set up: 1.5 GHz Powerbook G4, Mac OS X 10.4.8, Skype 2.5.0.85, macam 0.9.1 driver. The refresh rate is not that high, subjectively at about 10 fps. Mic on the camera does not work, but the Powerbook built-in mic works very well. Headphones are not necessary but desirable to eliminate echo. The camera produces good focus and depth of field, and auto adjusts to different lighting conditions. Overall, video quality is not outstanding, but pretty decent and quite usable with Skype.
Super easy setup August 26, 2006
P. Conley (United States)
29 out of 31 found this review helpful
I bought this webcam after first trying an older one (a different brand) I had laying around the house. The older one was difficult to install & get working properly, & required a registry edit to get the IM program to see it, & also the use of a separate microphone. I went to a local retailer (sorry Amazon, but you don't sell this one yet) to see what options were out there, & figured I'd give this one a try. Cost was a little under $60 before tax. There were others that appear to have the same or very similar specs & cost a little less, but I chose this one because I've been happy with every Logitech product I've used in the past. Setup was quick, easy, & completely painless. Installation was done in about 5 minutes & it worked flawlessly right away. I'm now going back out to buy another one to send to my son, who's out of the country. I can hardly wait until he gets it so we can talk to each other face to face.
 Good CAM October 18, 2006
M. Taylor (Virginia - USA)
25 out of 27 found this review helpful
Overall I like the device. The sound quality is not as good as a headset, but it's clear enough for what I'm using it for (Skype). The mount is really geared to flat panels or laptops, I had to tape in down to my monitor. Other than that it's a good CAM, works well enough.
Blurry Motion April 5, 2007
Liquid Sky
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
This camera definitely has crisp picture, but the images are way too blurry during movement with low frame rate. I wasn't sure if this was due to the computer I was running it on (above minimum but slightly below recommended specs) or the camera itself.
I happened upon a Logitech UltraVision (which is Logitech's top-of-the-line webcam) for only $79. On the box, both the Communicate STX & UltraVision have the SAME minimum & recommended system requirements. But the UltraVision when installed on the same computer had no blurry images during movement, with obviously better frame rate, and better performance overall. Very odd, I thought, since UltraVision is at least 3 steps above Communicate STX in the model level, and is assumed to require greater system resources.
So my conclusion is that the Communicate STX, for whatever reason, does indeed have an unacceptable blurry motion image and ridiculously low frame rate (well below the 30 fps that's advertised on the box & elsewhere). The picture itself is crisp and handles low light well, but there is lag time in the movement, and the audio and video do not sync well. Be warned if that's a concern. Some people are more forgiving of this than others, but I personally can't stand it, and if you've ever experienced a webcam that actually responds to you instantaneously, it's really hard to settle for anything less. The built-in microphone, by the way, is excellent and very sensitive, and the unit itself is quite attractive in its silver & black.
As for the UltraVision, I believe the Rightlight2 technology (for this particular model) does not work well in low light (definitely too dark), but it can be corrected manually by increasing the gain. Hopefully, this flaw will be corrected permanently with a software fix at some future date (how hard can it be to write code that would kick the gain up a few notches when the light level falls below a certain point?). The picture on the other hand is the sharpest I've ever seen in a webcam. As for the concerns of it being a resource hog, I didn't experience that, and I don't see how people can say that when the system requirements are the same for the Communicate STX, Pro 5000, & Fusion. They may just be assuming this, since it is the most expensive camera in the line. All four of them basically use the same software as well. UltraVision is no more a resource hog than the others mentioned, in my opinion.
On a side note, I noticed a blue tinge in the skin tone when using the UltraVison in lower light. I realized that this was due to the blue illuminated ring around the Logitech logo while the camera was on. Since there was little light, the blue ring actually served as a lighting source, thus making the skin tone somewhat blue. Now if they'd just make that ring a little brighter & white in color......
Hope this helps if you were wondering about the Communicate STX's blurry motion video, or the UltraVison's capabilities. I would not buy the Communicate STX. If I had to get a Logitech, I would spend the extra money and step up to the Pro 5000 (or any of the other models with 'true high-speed' USB 2.0), which must have better frame rate and smoother video, just as the UltraVision did.
 Great Cam for the Money April 11, 2007
J. Lee (San Jose, CA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
I'm very happy with this web cam. It rests fine on my laptop's LCD or on my CRT monitor. The software gets installed first, and the first thing it does is call home to do a new download of all the software and drivers. This took some time (using DSL, maybe 20 minutes), but I was glad to have the "latest and greatest". The camera image is very clear and the software gives you control over things like white balance. I keep most things under automatic control, but I do find I have to adjust the white balance so images don't look too bluish. Still, this is a quibble. I really like the integrated microphone! With the echo canceling software, I can talk without a headset and neither end of the connection hears echos. There are also some "filters" that can distort your image for fun. They are good for a few laughs, especially with kids. I don't see any negatives to this product at all unless you are trying to take really good pictures with it. Use the right tool for the job; if you want fine still pictures, use a real digital camera. If you want to video conference via Skype (or whatever), this web camera works quite well.
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