After four years, Logitech has released the latest in its line of popular webcams: the C922 Pro Stream ($99 from Logitech). The gadget represents a new version of Logitech’s hugely popular C920, an affordable, quality piece of periphery equipment that is a standard for many webcam models and vloggers.
According to the Logitech blog, the C922 offers some interesting features aimed primarily at gamers and heavy cam users. The cam is equipped with built-in noise-cancelling dual microphones, auto low-light adjustment, and a tripod right out of the box, so you’re literally good to go. Models should make a couple of test runs, though, and adjust image settings accordingly, to make sure they’re getting the best picture.
On Windows, the C922 uses Personify software to integrate “digital dynamic background replacement… so you can easily integrate your live image into the game on Twitch or YouTube without a complicated green screen setup,” clearly with gamers and vloggers in mind.
Image and streaming quality features also have been optimized, again for gaming:
You can stream and record video in your choice of sharp, true-to-life 1080p at 30fps (frames per second) or a fluid 720p at 60fps to match the speed of your game. Uploads are fast and smooth thanks to built-in advanced H.264 video compression, freeing up processing power and network bandwidth to keep you in the game while you broadcast.
Finally, the set-up comes with a free three-month license for live-streaming and recording software XSplit, which also is integrated with the C922.
With cameras in phones getting better and better, editing and streaming apps enabling production tools on the fly, and consumers becoming more and more mobile, desktop peripherals like webcams are no longer necessary for the casual user. For FaceTime-ing, Snapchatting or even producing guerilla-style videos for their own online purposes, most people use their phones. So, loading the camera with features that appeal to online gamers makes sense.
If you love online games or have fans who do, the C922 is an economical upgrade at less than $100. Or, if you really love your C920, maybe you could add one to your Wish List or get one to back up the cam you’re using now. Since it is such a popular model, Logitech is unlikely to phase out the C920. At less than $70, it’s still a great option, especially for new models.
