The upper portion of the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect is a soft touch metallic material. There is an oval running vertically with the Logitech name placed predominantly, but not obnoxiously, below it.
The oval is the removable remote. It is held in place by magnets and is easily slid off the device when you are ready to use it.
The remote has some controls built into it. There are volume controls, a large mute button that is easy to access, separate zoom in and zoom out buttons, a button to initiate a call and a separate one to disconnect the call and a four-way toggle for controlling media while using the device. The remote has a range of ten feet so you can pace back and forth while using it. You can also sit politely at the other end of the table and still control the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect, but I like the image of wandering back and forth while sharing one’s wisdom with others.
Removing the remote reveals the business center of the device. There’s an HD 1080P camera with 4X optical zoom. And, as you might expect on something of this quality, Logitech used a Zeiss lens. Just below that is a focus wheel, so you get a crisp a picture as possible. There is an opening for the microphone and some icons that illuminate to let you know what is going on at any given moment.
On the back, there is an indicator for the NFC touchpoint. (Yes, the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect is ready for those of you seeking to connect an NFC-enabled device!) There is a Kensington lock slot, so this little gem won’t walk, a micro-USB connection port, a charging port, and a full HDMI port. That means you can connect the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect via HMDI, USB or Bluetooth. How’s that for flexibility?!?
Setup:
Setting up the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect is a breeze thanks to its Plug and Play design. That’s not entirely accurate and is better put this way… Setting up the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect is a breeze thanks to its Plug and Play OR Unplug and Play design. That minor change in wording is rather important since the device can be used in Plug and Play mode using either the USB port or the full HDMI port or you can go wireless over Bluetooth. When you do go over Bluetooth pairing is either done with a tap of the content device to the nicely indicated NFC touch spot or, if you use a device that is not NFC-enabled such as an iPhone or iPad you can pair it the old-fashioned way by going to the Bluetooth Settings and selecting Logitech ConferenceCam Connect from the menu. In other words, you can either use a simple physical connection or create a wireless one. That kind of flexibility alone makes this a device worth consideration.
I’ve alluded to the portability of the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect, and it is worth detailed mention. Too often your choices when it comes to teleconferencing options include either installing a pricey, permanent system in a conference room or resorting to using a small, crappy-sounding mobile device. The Logitech ConferenceCam Connect sits smack dab in the middle. It offers a huge number of the same features you would find in a fixed-infall system but the portability of a mobile conferencing tool. The internal rechargeable battery lets you use the device as a speakerphone for up to 15 hours, or you can get up to three hours if you are using for a video conference. (And, after all, if you need more than three hours for a video conference someone is talking way too much!) Of course, you can also plug it in using the included wall adapter, and it will run as long as you like.
The flexibility of the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect also extended to the range of apps and services that are compatible with it. You can use it with Skype for Business, Cisco Jabber, WebEx, Microsoft Lync, and a host of other video conferencing software applications. (This is accomplished through the Logitech Collaboration Program). An add-on kit expands this flexibility even further.
Ready to amp up your video meetings? The Logitech Connect Kit with Intel NUC meeting room bundle adds Intel NUC, Intel Unite, Iluminari QuickLaunch SE, and Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch Keyboard. This is high-performance video conferencing for up to 6 people.
Technical Specifications
Camera:
- Full HD 1080p video calling (up to 1920 x 1080 pixels);
- 720p HD video calling (up to 1280 x 720 pixels) with supported clients
- H.264 UVC 1.5 with Scalable Video Coding (SVC)
- Supports H.264 SVC 1080p, along with optimizations for best call performance in single or multiparty HD video
- 90-degree field of view with autofocus
- 4X digital zoom in Full HD
- Rightlight 2 Technology for clear image in various lighting environments (even low light)
- Digital pan, tilt, and zoom from remote control or optional downloadable app
- Mechanical tilt
- ZEISS lens certification
- Camera LED for active streaming indication
Speakerphone:
- Integrated full duplex speakerphone with echo and noise cancellation
- 360-degree wideband audio with 12-foot (3.6 m) diameter range
- Bluetooth® and NFC enabled
- LEDs for speakerphone streaming, mute, hold, and Bluetooth pairing
- Controls for call answer/end, volume mute
- Microphones (Tx):
- Two omnidirectional microphones supporting 3.6 m diameter range
- Frequency response: 100Hz – 16KHz
- Sensitivity: -34dB +/-3dB
- Distortion: <1% @ 1KHz at 65dB
- Speakers (Rx):
- Frequency response: 140Hz – 16KHz
- Sensitivity: 89dBSPL +/-3dB at 1W/0.5M
- Max output: 91.5dBSPL at 0.5M
- Distortion: <5% from 200Hz
Remote control:
- Dockable remote control for camera/speakerphone functions
- 10-foot (3 meters) range
Range:
- 12-foot diameter range (3.7 meters)
- 360-degree sound
Use Experience:
So what about actually using the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect? In a word it is … great. I’ve primarily used it as a speakerphone but have occasion to try our the video conferencing. Both work as promised with a clear picture and superb sound. My Board of Trustees meets monthly, and there is an increasing number of people who end up calling in. We don’t need the video conferencing abilities, but the speakerphone aspect works like a charm. (We’ve tried a few different devices and this is the best I’ve used!) I plan to start doing some remote teaching and will be using this. I’ll write an update to this review when I do. By any standard, it is an excellent telecommunications device but, when you add in its portability and the ability for it to work without the need to plug it into an outlet, it goes from excellent to downright awesome. At just under $500 it is more than a bit of a splurge if you only need a speakerphone that will allow an entire room full of people to be part of the conversation.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Easy to take anywhere; Decent but not amazing battery life; Connects physically or over Bluetooth; Works with most conferencing services; Easy to set up 360º sound; Excellent camera; Remote is part of the system but easily removable
What Needs Improvement: At $499 it is a bit of an investment
