Logitech has pulled back the curtain on a new business webcam that's claimed to deliver the widest field of view in its class. The full HD-capable C930e can also process video in-camera to help reduce computer processor and network strain, and comes with the company's own RightLight 2 technology that automatically adjusts the image for improved visual quality in low-lighting situations.
The C930e offers an extra-wide 90-degree field of view at full 1080p resolution (30 frames per second) and sports a Carl Zeiss-certified lens that's been engineered to nip fish-eye distortion in the bud – giving users the chance to move around and animate distance collaborations instead of standing statue-like in the center of the frame. Additionally, digital pan-tilt-zoom feature is claimed capable of maintaining a high definition image at up to 4x magnification.
Support for the H.264 SVC and UVC 1.5 video encoding standards means that processing can be undertaken within the webcam, leaving the PC free to get on with other tasks, and the webcam can dynamically scale HD video streams to make the best use of available bandwidth.
Though the USB 2.0-certified (USB 3.0-ready) C930e has been specially optimized for Microsoft's Lync communications platform, it is reportedly compatible with most unified comms and video conferencing applications, including Skype. Minus the included tripod-ready universal clip, the webcam measures 3.7 x 1.14 x 0.95-inches (94 x 29 x 24 mm) and benefits from autofocus, an external privacy shutter and built-in dual stereo microphones.
Compatible with Windows 7 and 8, and Mac OS X 10.7 or higher, the C930e will ship globally in May for a suggested retail of US$109.99.
Product page: Logitech Webcam C930e