80+ home automation applications for your iPhone and iPod Touch.iPhone photo

With many developers flocking to the iPhone platform, it's time to publish a new guide showcasing all home automation applications available, allowing you to control every aspect of your home.  We'll do our best to keep this list updated, but if you find an application which hasn't been listed yet, please let us know.  Read More


ZigBee 101: Learn more about ZigBee and what it means for Home Automation.
Review: Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Print E-mail
Written by Squintz   
Tuesday, 07 September 2004 20:16
Rank: 9 (Best Cam in that price range)

If you have ever bought a cheap USB web cam than you can probably relate to the frustration that I have faced for the last few years. I have bought 2 WebCams in the pass year and none of them were even worth a dollar in my opinion. Those cams were the (Logitech ClickSmart 310) and (Logitech QuickCam Express).

At last a cam that works as expected and it only cost $55 on eBay. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 sells in retail stored for $99. But a quick search on www.ebay.com and you can find these cams as low as $50 each. Right now you’re probably wondering why they are half the price on e-bay. The answer is simple... It doesn't come in a fancy box. The package that it is shipped in is a simple plastic bag. In the bag are the Stand, Camera, Lens Cam, User Manual, and Logitech Software Suite.

Who did you buy from?
I bought mine though e-bay from reforger but you can contact reforger directly for this cam by visiting http://reforger.com/qc4k_details.html

What can it do?
  • Add video to your favorite instant messenger: Yahoo!® Messenger, AOL Instant MessengerSM (AIM), MSN® Messenger
  • Shoot 1.3 megapixel photos and high-quality videos
  • Edit movies and photos with studio-quality software
  • Make live video calls
  • Email video and photos easily
  • Get closer with a digital zoom
  • Conduct online video conferences and calls using Windows® Messenger or Microsoft® NetMeeting
  • Speak your mind with the built-in microphone
  • Add video to your eBay® auctions with SpotLife™ VideoSnap
  • Create fun animated films
  • Create web albums, broadcast live video and audio, and set up a web cam
Product Specifications
  • Video capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA CCD)
  • Still image capture: Up to 1280 x 960 pixels, 1.3 megapixels
  • Frame rate: Up to 30 frames per second (with recommended system)
The big problem that I have always had with previous cameras is not being able to get the lighting bright enough to display a clear image without washing out the color of the image. "Pictures are worth a thousand words" so that’s why I used the Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 to take all the images featured in this review including the images of the camera its self. But for your enjoyment here are three more.

Keep in mind that all of these pictures were taken with my recessed basement lights dimmed to 50% with my z-wave switches and HomeSeer. The bulbs I am using are 60watt Philip's soft white flood bulbs and the closest one to the camera was more than 6 feet away. Since they are recessed bulbs they focus most of the light straight down and not towards the cam.

Included Software
  • FREE Logitech® IM Video Companion™
  • Live video-enabled Yahoo! Messenger
  • One-click video e-mail software
  • Video broadcasting software
  • Web album creator software
  • Web camera software
  • Motion detection software
  • Animation software
Minimum System Requirements (PC)
  • Windows® 98, Windows® 2000, Windows® Me, Windows® XP
  • Pentium® II 400, Celeron™, AMD Athlon® processor, or higher (Pentium III 500, Celeron™, AMD Athlon® processor recommended).
  • 64 MB RAM (or minimum OS requirement whichever is higher).
  • 200 MB free hard drive space
  • CD-ROM drive
  • 16-bit color display adapter
  • Windows®-compatible sound card and speakers (full duplex sound card recommended)
Forum Thread
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 April 2009 20:45