Labs

Like the Microsoft LifeCam, the distinctively bulbous QuickCam promised to give Creative's Optia models a run for their money. Its sensor has a reasonable 1.3 megapixel resolution and can theoretically capture video at HD quality. It also uses something called RightLight 2, Logitech software that automatically

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adjusts light settings to make sure the centre of the picture (usually the subject's face) is well illuminated. In theory, this should all add up to cracking videos and still pictures.

Well, sort of. The video picture was large, with plenty of detail visible. But it was still quite grainy, and contrast wasn't all that good, giving everything a rather flat, ill-defined appearance. Colours also appeared warmer than they were in reality, which probably isn't as bad as looking colder, but true to life would have been best.

A comprehensive suite of software is supplied, allowing you to capture video, sound and photos. The camera itself has a fairly basic design - yep, it's a ball on a stand - but it looks quite smart and works fine. The stand fits more or less stably over the top of a flat-panel monitor.

This is a good webcam, but the competition has a bit more to offer these days.