Digital Trends

Logitech ClickSmart 510 April 10th, 2003 | by Brian Bordenave

Features and Performance Continued...

Using the ClickSmart as a video camera, provided acceptable video.  It makes possible the capture of special moments to send to friends and family if a true video camera is not available.  As a portable video capture device, the ClickSmart takes 15 frames per second, while it takes 30 frames per second when plugged in as a webcam.  This yields rather choppy video, especially if the subject of the video is moving. 

When the camera is plugged into the PC via the USB cable, the system is quick to recognize it for what it is regardless of whether you are running Win98, Win2K or WinXP. The camera will produce an audible chime and the kidney-shaped button on the front of the camera will light up green.  By pressing this once, the camera will begin downloading your photos and/or video.  The software will then ask you where and how you wish to store the images and will provide you automatically with choices.

Second only to its capabilities, the next greatest feature of this device is the QuickCam software that comes with the device.  I found the software to be thoughtfully laid out and extremely easy to operate.  When the QuickCam interface opens, you are presented with all the options of the ClickSmart 510 laid out in a tab format.  Open the video tab, and in one or two clicks, the camera will begin recording.  Click on the Gallery Tab and you can view or organize all the stored and downloaded photos. With a couple of clicks, you can instantly download pictures and/or video and send them out via email.  It is also possible to produce live web video to stream across the net.  The QuickCam suite even goes so far as to incorporate controls that compensate for color contrast, brightness, etc of the camera for video and even photos that have already been taken. Finally, another pleasant surprise, was the ability to set up the ClickSmart through the QuickCam suite to be used as a motion detector that takes photos when movement exceeds an adjustable threshold.  A nice security feature if you want to monitor your home when you are away.

The QuickCam suite is bundled with other software that truly makes this purchase worth its higher than average price.  In particular, if the user is not familiar with photo and video editing software the included MGI PhotoSuite and MGI VideoWave are great entry-level tools for the beginner up through intermediate user.  However, there is no comparison of these tools to Adobe's venerable Photoshop. . . except that MGI's programs comes with the camera, compared to the $700 list price of the latter. 

Conclusion

There truly is no other webcam that offers as much as the ClickSmart 510, especially for around $130 US.  Though Logitech manufactures a couple different versions of the camera, namely the ClickSmart 310 and the 420, the differences in capability and price make these less desirable.  It is important to keep in mind that though this device is not without problems, the majority of the problems are not unique to this device.  To a certain extent, they can be experienced with almost every other webcam out there. What can't be experienced with other webcams is the versatility and capability that makes the ClickSmart 510 so great.   Webcams have come a long way, and no doubt will continue to advance.  This device should not be judged strictly on its ability to do any one of its functions exceptionally, but rather on its ability to provide the user with a host of functions that it does remarkably well for being a single device in this price range.

Score

Style & Design:          9

Ease of Use:              9

Features:                   9

Performance:              8

Price:                         7

Overall:                       8.4

The Good

3 devices in one, Loaded with Features, portability, great value,

Lots of software capability, built-in flash and mic

The Bad

Audio Sensitivity, Video sensitivity, lack of a zoom lens