Product Description

Ramp up your video communication with QuickCam Communicate STX's high performance VGA optics and integrated microphone. Whether you want to improve your video IM or upgrade to video calling, STX will make your online chats, conversations, and friendships far more compelling!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.Ready for the next level in Internet communication? The Communicate STX will take you there in style. Make live video calls and share photos seamlessly with Logitech's VideoCall for broadband. Communicate STX even lets you "go big" by taking your video full-screen, and makes it a snap to attach videos and 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Logitech
• Model: 961464-0403
• Platforms: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 8.00" h x 3.00" w x 8.00" l, .80 pounds
• Native resolution: 640x480

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

Amazon.com Product Description
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

Customer Reviews

Mac compatible
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.

Twisted Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX Review
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1LXA7QN699U81 This is my experience with the Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX. Maybe I got a bad one, but nothing helps. Settings, lighting, tried all suggestions. Time for a trip back to the store. I've always like Logitech, but this one didn't impress me.

Blurry Motion
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.