Logitech video technology

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With One Click on a Logitech Webcam, Users Have Easy Access to Windows Live Messenger Features

Logitech is powering the Video Call feature in the new
Windows Live Messenger platform, unveiled by Microsoft Corp. Logitech worked with Microsoft to design the client technology that delivers high-quality, full-screen, fully synchronized voice and video calls. Logitech provided the same audio and video technology for Microsoft's Video Conversation feature, part of MSN Messenger since April 2005, and the company has supported the popular webcam feature in MSN Messenger since March 2003.

In addition, Logitech plans for many of its future
QuickCamR webcams to feature one-click access to Windows Live Messenger capabilities.

By using a webcam with Video Call, people can see and talk to friends and family around the world for free. Since the original introduction of Video Conversation, MSN Messenger users have conducted more than 500 million video calls. In fact, video usage on MSN Messenger is currently growing faster than voice-only usage - in January 2006, users p

articipated in video calls that lasted a total of nearly 1.1 billion minutes.

"We're very excited about our continuing work with Microsoft, and the momentum that we've established with MSN," said senior vice president of Logitech's Entertainment and Communications Business Unit, Junien Labrousse

"Video calling, with Microsoft's extensive customer base, has proven to be a breakthrough application for live video communications. Microsoft's new integrated Live interface makes it easy for people to see friends and family members online and spontaneously engage in a video call. We expect this will help personal video communications to become even more popular."

Logitech, with a rich history and expertise in video and audio delivery over IP networks, provides technology that synchronizes audio and video streams and allows these communications to traverse firewalls and Network Address Translation (NAT) devices, which have often blocked video communications and frustrat

ed consumers in the past. Logitech also operates the servers that support Video Call.

Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together, in one place, all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features, across their PC, devices and the Web.

"The mission of Windows Live is to deepen our customers' relationships with the people and the information that are most important to them - and live video communications is an important piece of that," said corporate vice president, Windows Live and MSN ,Microsoft, Martin Taylor. "Logitech's industry-leading video and audio technology is integral to the success of this application."

All of Logitech's QuickCamR webcams are fully compatible with Windows LiveT Messenger. Logitech, which has sold more than 30 million of its award-winning QuickCam webcams worldwide, has developed advanced hardware and software technolo

gy for many of its webcams that optimize the live audio and video communications experience. Some of these innovations include:

LogitechR RightLightT technology - A system of hardware and software technologies, RightLight technology vastly improves webcam image quality in a wide variety of lighting conditions. The technology combines advanced sensor technology, sophisticated firmware and high-quality lenses that together deliver greater sensitivity to light (especially in low light), optimized skin tones, and minimized distortion of images.

LogitechR RightSoundT technology - By combining a webcam's microphone with acoustic echo-cancellation software, RightSound technology provides people the flexibility of conducting video calls without wearing a headset. Integrated with the webcam's software drivers, advanced software algorithms eliminate echoes created by a webcam microphone and speakers in close proximity.

LogitechR Video Effects software - The first-of-its-k

ind
software allows people to completely transform themselves into three-dimensional animated characters (avatars) that precisely mimic facial movements, or to add accessories to their on-screen image, such as glasses or a crown.