HD webcam 3-way shootout: SkypeHD's best take on Logitech
By Tim Stevens 
posted June 28th 2010 11:11AM
posted June 28th 2010 11:11AM
Freetalk Everyman HD
Its relative low cost leaves this with the simplest design, overall, offering a simple stand hinged in two places and rubberized on one side to hold it up, plus a lip on the front to keep it from falling down the back of your LCD. Simple, yes, but no less effective than the other two. Also, this low cost means there is actually no built in microphone, which seems like something of an oversight. (Audio in the video below was captured through the host laptop's built-in mic.)
The Everyman HD maxes out at 720p at 22fps through SkypeHD (the camera identified a maximum of 11fps through our recording software) and, compared to the competition, offers a relatively limited field of view. Video quality is a bit chunky and, while it's not bad, it's also not considerably better than your average integrated unit.
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910
And that brings us to something of a major point here: this camera does not have an onboard video encoder and so is not compatible with SkypeHD. This means if you're worried about bothering your CPU too much, or exclusively do video chat on Skype, you won't be able to take advantage of the extra pixels here. That said, CPU utilization wasn't too major (about 30 to 40 percent on our 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo laptop) and, so long as you're not using Logitech's recording software (we used Sony Vegas) the resulting video quality is quite good. It's a bit dark, but good, and with a wealth of manual controls here including aperture settings and focus, you can tweak it just how you like.
It is the most sophisticated looking of the three, with a good bit of heft in its swiveling stand and an attractive mix of gloss and matte surfaces. It also offers stereo microphones that capture great sound.
FaceVsion TouchCam N1
That's a shame, because at $120 it is the most expensive model here. Of course, that extra cash does get you SkypeHD compatibility again, and all the benefits of an onboard video encoder. Its stand is not significantly different than the other two, but it is the most stable when standing free on a flat surface. It's also the only one that has a miniUSB port on the back rather than a non-removable cable, which makes it easy to pack and, if your name is Edward Scissorhands, easy to replace.
Testing
We won't say too much here, as really everything you need to know is in the video above, which shows the same situation shot with all three cameras. We intentionally picked a tricky situation, a somewhat dimly-lit room with a window behind, to see which would fare the best. Also, we intentionally left each camera in automatic mode, though each allows modification of various exposure settings. The TouchCam N1 gave the brightest image, while the C910 offered the best overall quality, though it did suffer from some periodic focus hunting. The Everyman HD, meanwhile, was still the cheapest.
Well, next-cheapest anyway compared to the integrated cam in the Lenovo T400s that we used as something of a benchmark. That camera is capable of higher resolutions, but we knocked it back to good 'ol 640 x 480 to give you a taste of how these cameras compare to your average integrated webcam. The difference is noticeable, particularly when it came to handling the dimness of the room, but is it worth the extra cash?
We'd also like to point out that both the Freetalk and the TouchCam N1 are rated at a maximum of 22fps when filming at 720p. However, when capturing through Sony Vegas both managed a maximum of 11fps. We don't think this really had any impact on the resulting quality of the footage, but we're passing that info along just the same.
Wrap-up
So, between the two SkypeHD cams, is the N1 worth the 100 percent premium over the other? In terms of sheer video quality we'd have to say no, that the brighter image and wider field of view is let down by similarly murky overall quality. But, with no integrated microphone we're not sure the Everyman HD necessarily fits into our lifestyle either. That said, the beauty of these things is you don't have to take it from us. Just watch that video above, look at the prices, and decide for yourself which one of these you want to take online -- if, that is, you want to work with any of them.
Update: As of September 1st, Logitech's HD webcams are now compatible with SkypeHD. Curiously that brand seems to be the only one that has been given an exemption of the hardware encoding requirement at this time, but if Skyping in high-def is a major thing for you, this camera just got a little more appealing.
Update: Another enhancement to the Logitech C910: as of December 14th they are now Mac compatible. So, go get your HD chat on!
Tell those web-cams to stop looking skywards... the lunar eclipse is already over. Plus, it's daytime anyway.
@who said what Also, they're clearly not connected to anything.
@TimStevens
Ah, I was just trying to save them time, but you clearly are out to break their hearts! :P
@who said what You can't be too nice to these things, else they get really cocky.
Missed opportunity for Logitech - for such a webcam oriented company, you would think they would know better.
The C910 looked great. Why it's not compatible with SkypeHD, is just depressing.
@Plazmic Flame Actually, it and any other HD camera is compatible with Skype if you have a powerful enough CPU and the right software, which is Nodewave's "Force Skype HQ/HD Webcam Video" (free). It's Windows-only, but likely something similar is also possible on Mac.
"That camera is capable of higher"
Higher what? Resolution? Might wanna fix that Tim.
@Jukah Bah, thanks.
Hmm definitely higher quality.
Why isn't Windows Live Messenger HD video chat mentioned at all in this article? I searched engadget for an article anywhere of the new beta of WLM and I found one, it was shared with a texting while driving article...
I switched to Skype because WLM sucked, but this new beta is reeeeally nice.
I thought a WLM article would appeal to mostly everybody out there, because (correct me if I'm wrong) it's the most popular instant messenger client out there. I'm sure a huge chunk of peoples computer usage is taken up by using this software. So no article about it, is just plain ol' silly.
@Ross McLean : I agree, but Engadget is probably more likely to post about a new Gtalk (they love Google!) or AIM (b/c they're owned by AOL and lots of Americans still use it for some reason).
Though Windows Live Messenger has a better shot of getting a mention then Yahoo! Messenger or 3rd party clients because Microsoft actually makes gadgets too and not just software so you can always hope.
I too hope to see Windows Live Messenger get on par with Skype's capabilities because I'd prefer to use Messenger for the social and personal plugins to my Live ID.
is it bad that when i first scrolled to the "FaceVsion TouchCam N1" i almost jumped out of my seat thinking it said FaceTime...guess reading really IS fundamental.
@TimStevens, When you used Sony Vegas, how many fps were you able to capture @1080p using the Logitech C910?
@Bala That cam maxes out at 15fps at 1080p.
And the other two can do 22fps at 720p in SkypeHD, but I couldn't find a way to get 'em to manage the same feat outside of it.
GRAPH please
apparently my tubes are clogged (with oil most likely) here in south louisiana. I cannot get a regular standard def skype video call out without any hiccups, and I have a 10 mbps fiber connection...
@kastonie Try changing the port settings to something less used. The port I used was 65535, and Skype works much, much better there than on port 80. If that does not clear things up, your friends on the other end may want to change their ports to the same one. Beware, however, that your ISP may block certain ports. Cox (my provider here in Vegas) does not.
So all Logitech needs to do is put a hardware encoder inside their products. Is compatibility with Skype HD is a good indicator whether a webcam has hardware encoder in it or not?
@pika2000 At this point, yes. I'm not aware of any that offer onboard encoding and aren't SkypeHD compatible.
What, no love for the Lifecam Cinema?
Why isn't the Microsoft LifeCam HD mentioned here? I didn't hear about HD webcams before that came out.
Extra resolution isn't worth a crummy framerate nor drop in overall quality.
there are other logitech and microsoft hd cameras, you should have tried those, why you didn't try the microsoft is beyond me!
@hajj3 They are not SkypeHD compatible as they do not have an on-board video encoder.
@aschettler Neither is the Logitech tested above.
So basically, there's nothing on the market that offers 1080p with onboard encoding? I think I'll keep my wallet in my pocket, thanks.
I like the parking lot photo booth!
Surely Engadget can afford a descent photo booth?
@jbseymour Actually, that's my driveway. Lots of places to shoot but the weather was too good that day to stay inside.
@TimStevens
Nice shots though, I will have to use that technique sometime soon!
@jbseymour Thanks!
I love the new generation of Logitech webcams, but they did NOT update the orb which pisses me off.
Its the only one thats motorized and so can pan and tilt.
Anyone else have a recommendation on something affordable thats available that can compete with that? I would like to upgrade the security camera in the great room, its awesome to be able to pan around the room and really zoom in....
plus, I just like watching my cats at home while I'm at work. :3
@Ducman69
can't believe they didn't update the orb, what fracktards
Oh, and not only is it great doubling for home security being able to pan and tilt 360o, but with a WiMax connection on your netbook can be a cool remote controlled stream for track days hehe:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4747601296_80a5ebbcdc_o.jpg
Put it on the dash and watch the road and look through the turns and cars passing, and swing right around and see the drivers O-faces! :D
Does anybody know if your average pocket camera out there today can be hooked to a computer to use its video capability for chat, etc?
Only the Logitech had a decent mic.
So basically there's no ideal or "video-chat bliss" for people at the moment. The Logitech looks far better image quality but a total fail for lack of skype support, what a fail. Give that an on-board decoder and skype-compatibility then we're talking, until then I'm not interested because it still feels like hd webcammery is in in the birthing stages.
agreed: total missed opportunity for Logitech as well.
So the Logitech works with Skype, just not Skype HD? Is that correct?