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As Internet connections have matured to faster and faster broadband pipelines, webcam manufacturers have been keeping pace with higher resolutions and improved optics to take advantage of the larger bandwidth. And more than just communicating over chat and VoIP, webcams are increasingly used to broadcast Truman Show-esque live video feeds of one's every move (such as at Justin.tv) as well as high-quality mini-movies uploaded to sharing sites. And that's where the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 really shines, with its 2-megapixel image sensor, smooth-tracking autofocus, high-end Carl Zeiss optics, and HD video capabilities (with the capability of recording video at 960 by 720 pixels). 
The combination of Logitech's RightLight technology and 2-megapixel Carl Zeiss optics produce improved clarity and lighting (Pro 9000 on the left, MacBook integrated camera on right--both captured in the same lighting conditions). | 
Add a variety of special effects from filters (above) to facial accessories (below). |  | First, a little about Logitech's touted technological and optical advantages. Designed by Carl Zeiss (known for high-end film and digital camera lenses), the Pro 9000's optics use a five-element lens arranged into four optical elements. As a result, the lens focuses the light onto the sensor with maximum detail and minimal aberrations. The 2-megapixel lens also offers an autofocus mechanism that automatically adjusts as your face moves about. It also incorporates Logitech's RightLight and RightSound technologies, which improves the webcam's image quality under difficult lighting conditions and provides noise cancellation, respectively. We found the autofocus feature to be much smoother than another similarly specced webcam from Creative that we previously reviewed (which felt stuttery to our video chat partners), and the RightLight feature was able to render an image of our face in both highly backlit and low-light situations--something that other webcams we've tested have completely failed at. And the combination of RightLight, Carl Zeiss optics, and the two-megapixel sensor helped to enrich both the clarity and the color of our images. While it's true that broadband Internet has gained speed, unfortunately none of the major chat or VoIP programs are can stream the high-definition video (960 by 720 pixels) that the Pro 9000 can capture. Thus, this feature is really only usable for recording video to your hard drive and either uploading to a video sharing service like YouTube or for inclusion into a movie project to be burned to disc. The Pro 9000 also enables you to take still images at larger than its native 2-megapixel sensor via software interpolation (up to an 8-megapixel resolution). Note, however, that shooting at a higher resolution causes a lengthier shutter lag. The Pro 9000 offers easy plug-and-play operability on either a Windows PC or a Mac--just slide in the USB 2.0 plug, select the camera from your chosen video chatting program (it works seamlessly with Skype, Yahoo!, Windows Live, SightSpeed, and iChat), and you're good to go. While the Pro 9000 works brilliantly right out of the box, you'll only be able to take advantage of software add-ons such using the included QuickCam software (which is for Windows users only). The QuickCam Control Panel is where you can select from a host of special effect add-ons that range from a selection of avatars (such as a dinosaur or cat) to facial accessories (including a crown and Borg hardware), and a variety of filter effects. The avatars didn't seem especially responsive unless we were overly hyperactive, but the limited face add-ons and filters were more successful (with our favorite being the rotoscope animation effect). The double-hinged clip on the back of the lightweight Pro 9000 can be articulated to fit both the thinnest notebook screens to thicker LCD TV/monitors. A rubberized is placed right below the camera housing to help prevent slippage, and the camera itself can smoothly tilt up and down about 90 degrees. The Pro 9000 has a single microphone on its right side, and while the left side has a control button that automatically opens the Logitech QuickCam software. And in the middle is a Logitech logo, which is given a red glowing halo when the camera is recording. It uses a single USB connection that does not require external power. With its arsenal of optical advancements combined with an invitingly affordable price tag and easy portability, the QuickCam Pro 9000 is a great alternative to the standard VGA/1.3-megapixel cams built into notebooks. --Agen G.N. Schmitz Pros: - 2-megapixel sensor helps to improve both clarity and color
- Automatic autofocus smoothly readjusts as you move around the screen
- Double-hinged clip easily fit on a variety of laptop and monitor surfaces
Cons: - While capable of capturing HD-quality video, you can only utilize this for video saved to hard drive
 Customer Reviews 
Excellent product but compability issues
Rating: 4
The product was simple to install. The photo quality is superb in any kind of light. My problem has been compatibility. I am a Windows XP user here in my office trying to have video chats with overseas business contacts. I can get Windows Messenger running but none of my contacts use this. I can't seem to find an AIM with video capability. That leaves Skype or similar, which requires a "phone call" vs "online all the time." This is no knock on an excellent product, more a question of support which I have yet to find despite best efforts.
Great picture quality and sound is good.
Rating: 5
I was surprised at the picture quality of this thing. it was so much better than the laptop's built-in one. It does help to get some really bright lights. regular incandescent bulbs make things look a little yellow. 6500k fluorescent bulbs make things look a little bluish, and the 5000k bulbs give a great bright white look. The camera has a lot of auto-adjusting feature and having a good 5000k bulb will allow you to turn it off for even better video motion and larger size if you want those. but the auto-adjusting works great. just plug and go!
EXCELLENT WebCam - Saved Our infant from Nanny Torture
Rating: 5
I purchased this Logitech 9000 Pro. It was one of the best purchases... honestly!!I I had initially got Creative IM Pro Webcam for $50... It sucked... soon we figured that it had lots of issues while setting it up.
This is what we did. After getting slightly suspicious on our kid's nanny irratic behavior, we wanted to monitor her activity while we were out. This was the best device. I also had hidden spy camera in another room with Sharp CCD lens but very interestingly the quality of the picture from CMOS lens in 9000 Pro was much better then CCD (which is supposed to to much higher quality)!!
Setup was Easy. I setup to record the HD Video from Webcam on the hardisk. I had to cover the front of the webcam with small plastic as it glows red light when recording. I did not not want anyone to notice that.
I was amazed by the microphone sensitivity on this device. I could listen to our nanny talking from even 20 feet away. Also could listen our infant crying from even farther distance.
The low light visibility of this camera was AMAZING!! It lit up the picture very well with "Perfect Light 2". We loved the crstal clear video. Also the Video was extra wide and covers larger area than most webcams.
From what we saw (and heard) astornished us. He caught her (on camera) mistreating our baby and stealing stuff from our home!! Everything had voice recorded with clarity. When we asked her she lied/denied everything. We threw out the nanny immediately and she had no clue what had hit her.
Something that could have been slightly better
1. The Software included is excellent but could easily have had few more options like timestamp on the video. Most Video software have this option.
2. The front light looks cool but should have option to disable it. I had to cover it discreetly with plastic and tape. Not very elegant!
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