Webcams

[C910User1956]

Hello PedroC:

Picked up a new C910 yesterday on sale at BestBuy, and was a bit worried that it might not work because the receipts are misplaced, but it works okay on both my Mac Mini and my wife’s MacBook (unibody), so I’ll be keeping it. My report here concerns the system/software support I’ve experienced, which I’ll relate in order that it happened.

I elected for convenience to set the 910 up on my wife’s MacBook (currently running OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.6, the current version as of this writing). All advertised features of the C910 with the downloaded Mac OS support software worked immediately, including HD 1080p recording (on a just 2.0GHz processor!). It records/saves video in all the available formats that LWS offers. Great news. So far so good.

I’m very happy to report that at least on my wife’s 2.0 GHz MacBook running the current Snow Leopard, I captured full 1080p video (albeit at only 15fps, but that is still acceptable)

The issues began once I tried it out on my Mac Mini (from last spring, this is a MacMini3,1, 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, with 4GB RAM installed also running OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.6). This Mini is around 18 months newer than the MacBook.

The webcam works okay natively without any support software installed (as it does with the MacBook, as long as the built-in iSight is overridden), but after running the Mac software install, LWS would not load. Vid did load okay, but I have yet to register for that service.

I guessed that there might be a hardware/software conflict with my OS on the Mini. Fortunately, I have an alternate Mac OS boot partition to try out on the Mini, which runs Snow Leopard 10.6.2. So I rebooted with that system.

I downloaded and installed the current Mac support package under 10.6.2, and a different result occurred. This time LWS loaded successfully, but I cannot capture/save playable video in any format higher than Optimized 720p. This on a faster processor!

In any case, I’m sure that the Mac issues will get ironed out eventually. Still images are fine (though we have a Canon PowerShot A590 that handles that job).

ECS (veteran Mac user)

[C910User1956]

UPDATE: Got HD 1080p throughput (as well as all other available formats [record, compress and save, and play back]) running LWS under 10.6.4 after a reboot to a separate hard disk/partition. On the 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mac Mini (4GB RAM) from early last year. Only a MILD inconvenience, but now we confirm it’s a software issue, not a hardware issue (on this platform at least). 1080p played back just fine in Quicktime Player, on a VGA (crt) display set to 1600 by 1200. FYI, I’m running in a dual-display config (the other is the original Apple Cinema Display @ 1600 by 1024).

Hoping this is informative.   ---ECS

[roylong]

It seems that I have a problem with my C910.  The application installed ok but when I use the cam with Skype it initially shows a high quality image then seem to change at the receiving end to very low quality - worse in fact than my built in iSight camera.  What is going on here?  Any ideas?

Also, how do I change the sample/refresh rate on the camera?  There seems to be a lot better control on windows with this and other cams - why can I not get the same control on a mac?  After all, is it not Logitech software that does this on Windows?  What's occurring?  I have banding caused by incorrect refresh.

Thanks
Roy.

[paull12]

I have a quad core i5 Mac Pro and I can't get the C910 software to show a video picture! When I start the software the screen is blank even though the activity light is on. If I snap a photo the software counts down to 1 and then locks up, still not photo or live video feed. I am running 10.6.7 and v2.2 of LWS. Help please?

[jjaazzmman]

[Moderator Edit: Per our community terms of use, please refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations/ libelous statements against any companies or individuals]

My question to Logitech is where is your company's integrity with this product?

Lots of your Mac customers have wasted money on the C910 only to find that your support staff continues to point to outdated information all of which appears to be bandaid patches that don't really work.

Disappointed doesn't cover it.  

Forget the "we understand your concerns.." speach and take care of this issue the right way.  With a proper driver that WORKS !  Or else come clean and admit you either never intended to support it to begin with or else ran into an unexpected snag and decided to move engineering resources on to the the next hardware development.

[AntonC]

Hi jjaazzmman,

I am sorry to hear about your negative experience with the C910. Please post specific details regarding the technical issues you are experiencing, and our community members may be able to help you investigate. In addition, we can also have one of our support agents here open a ticket for you, and walk through diagnostic steps with you in real time on the phone.

It is our goal to help our customers resolve all technical issues, and we want to make sure that we can help you reach a satisfactory resolution.  I realize our customers may feel very frustrated when running into technical difficulties. However, I would like to ask you to please refrain from making emotionally charged blanket statements and accusations as a courtesy for other community members. Thank you for your understanding.

Regards,

[HTD]

I agree with Jazzman.  Just admit it........  the 910 will not work FULLY on a macbook ( state it in the literature  that comes with it ).  When you skirt around the issue and pretend it is not a real problem you PISS off your customers. Take the high road for a change and come clean.  Sure you made a sale but ............. never again unless I get answers. Or I will simply take it back and make a big scene. 

       I have a macbook pro and the cam works fine with I-chat or photo Booth.... but it is not recognized by I-Movie either on my macbook pro or on my Mac pro.  I have the latest updates to your software as well as all current software from apples.   It also is not seen as an optional camera substitute for the built in I-sight camera when using it on the web with sites like chatroulette ( though it does on the mac pro ).  It is clearly a conflict with the installed I-Sight camera on macbooks .  

      I bought this cam at a mac store.  Yet it does not work as advertised.  I want it to replace the I-Sight cam on my macbook so I can record tutorial videos straight into I-Movie.  Don't tell me to troubleshoot the problem because everyone who owns this cam has the same problem.  FIX THE PROBLEM !  The problem is with you and apple ( maybe more on apples side but still your problem ) .  Work together and get it fixed and don't even think of asking for more info from me.  You know of the problem... and if you don't then you really didn't test the cam properly before releasing it .. admit it ..... state you are aware of the problem......... and should have a fix shortly....... or something to that effect.  If there is a workaround to get it to work,  please let me know because I have spent hours searching to no avail.   This is my last try.  Give me a update as to what is being done and I won't have to go viral with rants on Facebook and twitter .......  thank you

[AntonC]

Unfortunately, iMovie does not currently support external USB webcam capture. Please take a look at the thread below for more information regarding this:

http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Webcams/HD-Pro-C910-and-iMovie/m-p/612944#M88459

Regards,

[ivan0589]

Every time I use the Software on my Mac (MacBook Pro 15" Intel core 2 duo MacOS X 10.6.6 and 10.7) it crashes after a short while and for being able to be used again, I have tu uninstall and then re-install the software. And of course it crashes again making it a non-stop and very tedious loop. 

Camera is great, but the software is made with no effort I guess.

Is ther going to be an update of the SW soon???

[pedroc]

Hi ivan0589,

There will be a new software update soon but unfortunately I don't have the release date. I will keep everybody posted as soon as I get some more information.

Thanks,

-PedroC