Review: Logitech TV Cam HD

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of trying to squeeze your entire family in front of a computer screen while trying to SKYPE a loved one from afar, then you will LOVE Logitech’s new product: the Logitech TV Cam HD.

Logitech invited me to check out their latest and greatest invention over appetizers at the Bryant Park Hotel. The presentation started with a brief explanation of the TV Cam HD – a camera that hooks up to your television so that you can keep in touch with friends and family through SKYPE. Cool! But what caught my attention was the low-profile camera that wouldn’t scream “AFTERMARKET!” if mounted on my TV. Slim, sleek, and stylish – but does it perform?

Coming in crystal clear!

The camera powered up and a crystal clear image of who else but Dee Wallace flickered on to the screen sitting in the comfort of what I imagine is her living room. (Extra points if you knew that Dee Wallace starred as the Mom from ET. I had to Google it!) It’s amazing to see that Logitech has re-imaged the SKYPE experience in HD. I could already imagine SKYPE-ing my kids in college, from the comfort of my living room instead of the crammed space in my office – oh the possibilities!

I was a bit concerned about the potential for fuzzy sounding audio since the room was filled with 12 of us and was quite echo-y. However, the four noise-canceling microphones on the camera came through in flying colors, and it sounded like I was listening to someone speaking right next to me!

Easy installation

Now the final test: The installation. Oh yes, the ever-feared installation. Not to fret! Logitech knocked this one out of the park. Thanks to the preloaded software that comes on the camera and intuitive step-by-step directions, the process was very straightforward. The icing on the cake was the remote with on/off, zoom and camera tilting features. Thanks to these features and their ease-of-use, I can definitely see myself keeping in touch with friends and family this way rather than the conventional crouched, computer screen method.

Big thanks to Logitech and SKYPE for putting their heads together on this one!

Some extra features on the TV Cam HD with SKYPE:

Doesn’t require a smart TV or PC.
The box comes with HDMI cables and everything needed for set up.
You’re notified of incoming calls even when the TV is off!

Disclosure: I received a Logitech gift bag at the event. The views expressed in this post are solely my own.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.

Stacy DeBroff