Logitech’s new webcam has a neat built-in privateness shutter

Logitech’s Brio 500 is a brand new webcam with a compact design that includes a neatly built-in bodily privateness shutter and a “Present Mode” designed to broadcast what’s in your desk. It’s 1080p somewhat than 4K, the identical as Logitech’s traditional C920 webcam. It’s happening sale this month for $129 alongside a brand new Bluetooth headset referred to as the Zone Vibe 100, which is able to retail for $99.99.

The Brio 500 has a cylindrical design, with its 4-megapixel digital camera flanked by a pair of beamforming microphones which can be designed to scale back background noise throughout calls. The privateness shutter design is fairly slick and might be introduced down by turning a dial on the correct facet of the webcam. Exhibiting off your desk is achieved by “tilting the digital camera angle in the direction of the desk,” based on Logitech.

By way of picture high quality, the Brio 500 is a 1080p webcam, and it’s important to drop its decision right down to 720p in order for you 60fps somewhat than 30fps. Though that’s the identical on paper because the C920, Logitech spokesperson Wendy Spander tells me it options an upgraded sensor, which ought to hopefully make for higher picture high quality. (I noticed the webcam briefly in individual, however not for lengthy sufficient to make any remaining judgments on picture high quality.) Its subject of view is 90 levels, however the webcam can digitally crop in to 78 or 60 levels for a tighter view. Logitech advertises that it’s in a position to robotically middle the digital camera on the individual talking and alter lighting for those who’re in a dimly lit or backlit surroundings. 

Lastly, the Brio 500 has an fascinating magnetized mounting mechanism for displays. It’s shaped of two components. There’s the usual plastic mount that’s designed to clamp onto the highest of your monitor like regular, after which the webcam itself is magnetically hooked up to this plastic mount. It’s a design meaning you possibly can rotate the webcam 360 levels for those who so select. Should you’re not into magnets, then you possibly can unscrew the magnetic mount from the underside of the webcam to disclose an ordinary tripod mount. 

Alongside the Brio 500, Logitech can be asserting a brand new headset right now, the Zone Vibe 100. It’s a Bluetooth-only model of the beforehand launched Zone Vibe 125 headset, which may additionally join through a wi-fi USB-A receiver. The brand new Vibe 100 has as much as 20 hours of battery life whereas listening to music, or 18 hours for those who’re utilizing it for calls. Its mic arm is flip-to-mute, and the headset is out there in grey, off-white, and light-weight pink (similar because the Brio 500).