Webcam - General Discussion

[Robert]

When posting technical related questions, it’s best to provide as much information as possible about your hardware, resources, operating system, and current software version.

Identifying Your Logitech Hardware

At times it may be difficult to remember the exact name of your camera, especially if you have disposed of the box and documentation. For reference you can always verify your camera by locating the part number printed on the black tag which is attached to the USB cable… Please see the following articles for specific instructions

How to Find your cameras part number

How to verify your camera by name or part number

Identifying Your OS and Basic Computer Resources

To obtain your operating system information and basic computer resources please follow these simple steps

• Right Click “My Computer” 
• Select “Properties”
• Note the information listed under “System”
• Note the information listed under “Computer”

Verifying Your Logitech Camera Software Version

You can verify your camera software a couple of ways

1. If the software is installed, launch your application and take note of the version listed on the “Launcher” or “Main Menu”
2. If you have the media that came with your camera, the software version will be listed on the face of the CD
3. If options 1 & 2 are not available and you know what camera you have, you can reference this chart for the last software/driver release available for your camera.

This should give you a good understanding as to what type of information is good to share in your first post.

Hint: In your Personal Profile you can enter this information as a signature, and every time you post it will automatically display…

Message Edited by Robert on 05-26-2006 02:13 AM

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

IMPORTANT!!!

Please continue reading this thread until the end...specific information regarding your posts/assistance to follow.

Not correctly providing the information requested *may* delay the resolution of your issue!!!

Thanks.

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IMPORTANT!!!

PLEASE DO NOT POST THE "Identifying Your OS and Basic Computer Resources" INFORMATION THAT FORUM ADMINISTRATOR ROBERT SUGGESTS ABOVE.

Please see this post for further information on what is more useful to mention.

Thanks.

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IMPORTANT!!!

Please make sure that your Forum Viewing Preferences are set to -

• Display Settings - "Linear Format" (Use Default)
• General Settings - "Sort Threads by Newest Message Time" - checked
• Linear Format Settings - "Oldest to Newest / Date Ascending" (Use Default)

This will ensure that you are reading and responding to the latest information possible on a particular subject.

Thanks.

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IMPORTANT!!!

THE 8xxxxx (or 860-xxxxxx) SERIES NUMBER FROM THE CAMERA TAG AND/OR USB\VID ID IS MANDATORY FOR ALL TROUBLESHOOTING QUESTIONS, AND SHOULD BE MENTIONED IN YOUR INITIAL POSTING!!!

Please DO NOT post the V-Uxxxx number or the 9xxxxx (or 960-xxxxxx) series number of your camera...as Logitech no longer references these in the FAQ.

Thanks.

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Alternate method for Software Identification (FAQ #5105) -

Software Version:

The easiest way to find the version of the Logitech software you are running is to go to the Windows Control Panel and find Add/Remove Programs. To do this, click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs. Once this window appears, then you will then scroll though all the installed programs until you have located the Logitech software for your device (Logitech QuickCam for Cameras, SetPoint, MouseWare or iTouch for keyboards/mice, and Logitech Gaming Software/Logitech G-Series Keyboard Software for controllers or the G-series gaming keyboards. You will then click on the 'Click Here for Support Information' link and the version of your Logitech software should immediately display.

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Great tips Robert!

As to camera identification, if no other means of identification is available, please include the USB\VID_PID ID number that the camera reports to the Device Manager.

You can also get the USB\VID_PID ID number from the setupapi.log (W2K, XP, and higher OS), as it is written there during the initial camera setup and enumeration.

This unique number will POSITIVELY IDENTIFY the exact camera model you have connected to your PC. Note that this number verifies the electronics...not the packaging.

For example - USB\VID_046D&PID_xxxx, where 046D identifies Logitech as the product manufacturer, and xxxx denotes the camera's unique PID (Product Identification Number).

For specific information on how to find the camera's USB\VID_ID, please see the following tutorial -

http://www.quickcamteam.net/documentation/faq/how-do-i-find-the-vendor-and-product-id-of-my-camera

Thanks.

Message Edited by KachiWachi on 08-02-2008 07:39 AM

[Robert]

Thanks KachiWachi,

Yes, verifying USB\VID in Device Manager is a great resource, however I was gearing this specific post more towards the "non technical" and sharing suggestions for simple tasks and basic information that would make a first post more efficient using easily available resources. A more "advanced" post is planned...

Message Edited by Robert on 05-26-2006 12:55 PM

[BuddGreen]

Nice suggestions, should make for better first post information...

I agree Robert, nice touch to create deticated posts on skill level and perhaps advanced troubleshooting resources, easier and cleaner to link to if needed

As it seems we already have an advanced preview from the information KachiWachi provided. May I suggest another tool that's a nice addition to any technical arsenal...

Especially useful if Windows cannot detect PnP information from the camera (or any usb device) and... USB/VID information is not available in Device Manager. This MS tool is a great resource...

UVCView

Just select your CPU architecture x86 / x64 and download the tool. When executed you'll see a USB device viewer displaying information in regards to all USB host controllers you have available and if device enumeration is sucessful. Each connected device (highlighted with red accent) will have information displayed in the left hand pane. From here you can retrieve the USB/PID information under the "Device Descriptor" section...

Message Edited by BuddGreen on 05-26-200612:57 PM

Message Edited by Pegasus on 02-09-2008 09:27 PM

[Robert]

Thanks BuddGreen

This is a very handy tool, I use it frequently and it does provide a great resource for collecting PnP information when troubleshooting driver issues etc… As with KachiWachi, I appreciate the advanced suggestions and will consider moving both posts into an advanced thread once created…

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

I would like to add that you should mention if your camera works properly in the QuickCam/ImageStudio environment...even if you only intend to use your camera with a third-party Instant Messenger program.

This is vital to assure that your camera was installed properly, and that all hardware functions are fully operational.

You should mention if you can take/save/view still images, and if you can take/save/view a video (with audio) successfully.

If you have no image (or a "black" image) in the preview window...and a TV Tuner card installed...please mention this as well.

If you can provide a sample image or video file showing us what you see on your screen, that can be of great help as well. Specific instructions for posting samples to the forum can be found here.

Additionally, you should also mention if you can access the camera via TWAIN (scanner interface), and via Windows WIA...if your OS and version of QuickCam supports these features. 

You should verify that your camera is being properly recognized in the Device Manager. It should show up as an Imaging Device, a Sound Device (Logitech Microphone, if available), and as a USB Device. If any of these do not show up as being installed properly, you need to uninstall, then re-install QuickCam "clean". Please mention if you have done so in your post.

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"Clean" Boot and Install

A "clean" boot and install is referenced the following FAQ -

Tutorial: Booting Clean in Windows 98, ME, XP and Vista (FAQ #228)

Tutorial: Booting Clean in Windows 2000 (FAQ #229)

Tutorial: Clean install of Logitech camera software (FAQ #620)

Tutorial: Uninstalling and Reinstalling QuickCam Software (FAQ #2202)

CleanupQC Tools

Please reference FAQ #5336 for further information on the use of these tools.

You can run the CleanupQC10 tool and/or the CleanupQC9 tool (if this version of QuickCam was ever installed on the PC) if you are having problems with your installation.

There are no Cleanup Tools available for QuickCam 11.x.

Reverting to an earlier System Restore Point (if supported by your OS) may also be required in certain "troublesome" situations.

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To properly test the Logitech Microphone (if available), make a test recording using Windows Sound Recorder. If you can perform this test successfully, the problem lies elsewhere. Please see FAQ #125 and FAQ #8527 for more information.

When I ask about "QuickCam", I am ALWAYS referring to the software...not the camera hardware.

When mentioning the version of QuickCam/ImageStudio that you are using, please do not say "I'm running the latest software for my camera". Please state the EXACT numerical version of the software. The term "latest" means nothing to me, since Logitech updates their software all the time.

As for your OS, please state if you installed it from a Microsoft CD yourself, or if it came pre-installed on your machine (OEM install). If OEM, please state who the OEM is...Dell, Gateway, HP,  etc...

MOST IMPORTANT!!!

Please use the forum search feature before submitting your question. We are at a point now where most of the common issues have already been posted, so your question may have already been asked...and answered.

Also...if you have not done so already, please read the various "floated" threads on where to properly post your question. Otherwise, you *might* find that the Moderators have moved your post to the correct section when you next return to the forum.

Thanks.

Message Edited by KachiWachi on 09-21-2008 04:55 PM

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

"Everything Macintosh"

This post contains all of the site information and links relating to the use of Logitech cameras on the Macintosh.

For Macintosh support, please submit all* questions to the Webcam - General Discussion forum.

(*Note* - this does not include topics that are IM related...please use the Webcam - IM Clients & Services for these topics.)

Before posting your question, please see FAQ #51 and this thread.

*Note* - FAQ #51 is currently out for review. (June, 2008)

Please note that the last "officially supported" OS for the Macintosh is 10.2.6.

Later versions of OSX are not supported by QuickCam.

UPDATE (04/04/2007):

Since some of the newer Logitech camera models are UVC compliant (Ref: FAQ #5336 and FAQ #6797), Logitech has released this preliminary announcement concerning their use on *any* Mac OS that supports this feature (OS 10.4.9 and up).

UPDATE (04/09/2007):

Please see FAQ #6471 which officially references the above announcement.

UPDATE (06/20/2008):

Support for the QuickCam® Vision Pro for Mac (FAQ #8578)

UPDATE (07/07/2008):

Manuals for QuickCam® Vision Pro for Mac (FAQ #8687)

Third-party support:

Please visit the SourceForge.net website for more information about the macam software (USB webcam support for Mac OS X).

Please visit the Ecamm Network website for more information about the iUSBCam video conferencing software and the iGlasses video settings software.

Apple iChat Support:

Only iChat for OSX 10.5 offers USB camera compatibility. For OSX 10.4 and earlier, USB cameras are not supported.

Note - Information concerning the Internal iSight (USB) to follow. KW

Please remember that the use of third-party software is not supported by Logitech.

Thanks.

Message Edited by KachiWachi on 07-31-2008 09:33 AM

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

Please do not post personal contact information in your threads (e-mail addresses, IM handles, etc...).

They will be removed by the Forum Moderators (to prevent SPAM, etc...).

On a personal note, please do not PM me for individualized assistance. Please post your questions to the forum...I will answer you there.

Thank you's, etc... in a PM are always welcome!

Thanks.

Message Edited by KachiWachi on 07-23-2008 08:23 AM

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

For all issues concerning image clarity, brightness, focus, frame rate, sync, no sound, distorted sound, video will not play on my PC, etc..., YOU MUST PROVIDE A SAMPLE IMAGE OR VIDEO for evaluation.

The problem *may* be local to your system.

Please reference FAQ #54 (Troubleshooting: Improving Image Quality for Web Cams) for more information.

Also...you did try to adjust the focus ring...if one is available on your particular model camera...right?

Thanks.

(NOTE - Specific instructions on how to post your files to the forum can be found here.)

Message Edited by KachiWachi on 07-23-2008 08:12 AM

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

Please post all topics having to do with an Instant Messenger program to the Webcam - IM Clients & Services forum. This includes all questions pertaining to the Logitech VideoCall service as well.

(**Update 1/2008** - As I understand it, VideoCall has reached EOL and is no longer being supported by Logitech. More information to follow. Thanks.)

Please read FAQ #905 before posting.

Also, please read this thread for more information about IM's and networking issues before posting.

All of the problems that you *may* encounter are associated with the IM program* in use...they are not Logitech Software problems...so please do not post your topic to that forum.

Only post problems associated with the Logitech QuickCam Software itself to the Software forum.

Thanks.

(*Note* - I'm also including here any other "networking components" such as firewalls, routers, "security center" issues, ISP issues, etc...).

Message Edited by KachiWachi on 02-09-2008 11:14 PM