Logitech's 720p TV Cam review |Logitech has outed its latest webcam, the Logitech TV Cam for Skype, a $149.99 peripheral that turns your Skype-supporting HDTV into a video conferencing system. Initially only supporting certain Panasonic 2011 sets, Logitech says it is working with other TV manufacturers to broaden support for the 720p HD video camera.
Forget chatting over the PC; that's totally 2010. With this, you'll be able to have the whole family gather 'round in order to speak to whoever is on the other end. You'll find Carl Zeiss optics, Logitech's Fluid Crystal technology, a 78-degree wide-angle lens and a pair of directional microphones. Once the Logitech TV Cam for Skype is plugged in, you can make TV-to-TV Skype calls, as well as TV-to-PC or Mac calls and vice versa. You can also make video calls from the Logitech TV Cam for Skype to select iPhone and smartphones with Skype mobile, but you'll need a broadband connection in your home to really take advantage.The accessory should ship this month for $149.99; definitely not cheap, but at least it's 720p.
“You shouldn’t have to wait for the holidays, a special occasion or summer vacation to see distant friends and family,” said Joerg Tewes, vice president and general manager of Logitech’s consumer video division. “We believe making a video call to loved ones should be easy and natural. We welcomed the opportunity to work closely with respected brands such as Panasonic and Skype to make it possible for more people in more households to connect with one another from the comfort of their living room.”
Logitech Vid HD takes on Skype The camera will work with a new calling client called Logitech Vid HD which will be featured as a channel on the new Revue set-top box, but will work with any Mac and PC running the program.
The camera, judging from pictures shot at the event, appears to be much larger than your average webcam and also has a neat little LED light which will inform users when they have missed a call.
