Since I have been struggling with Skype, various Logitech Quickcams, Windows XP and Windows Vista, for some time now, perhaps I can offer a little bit of information and advice that others might find useful.

First, and foremost, Logitech is currently having major problems with their Quickcam drivers, and they are getting raked over the coals about it in their user forums. The consequences of those problems are particularly severe when you try to use a Logitech Quickcam with Skype; it can hang, disconnect, make very loud and very rude noises, give choppy sound and jumpy video, and occasionally produce a BSOD system crash. These problems seem to be more prevalent with Vista, but they also occur with XP.

Unfortunately, the problems are MUCH worse with newer Quickcams than older ones, and with older/slower computers. From what has been said in the Logitech forums, there are two reasons for this. First, the new cameras, what they call the PRO3 line, which includes the UltraVision, Pro 5000 and some others, they have shifted some of the video processing from the camera to the driver, which increases the load on the system CPU. They have tried to ward about this by stating in the specifications that they "recommend" a Pentium 4 2.4GHz CPU. I can say from experience that this is a real issue; I have an UltraVision, which is the latest and greatest from Logitech, and when I try to use it my CPU load goes way up; I also have a Pro 4000, which is several years old, and when I use it the load increase is obviously much less. Second, some of the newest cameras from Logitech have much higher resolution sensors, they are advertised as "True 1.3 Megapixel", whereas the older cameras were "High Quality VGA (640x480)". This then ties back into the previous issue, some or all of the additional processing for this higher resolution sensor has been shifted to the driver, and that is apparently why the system load is dramatically higher with these cameras, and why Logitech recommends at least a P4 2.4GHz cpu.

There is a simple way to make a limited work-around for these problems, and a complicated way that might get almost everything working - but might not, and requires a lot more work.

The simple solution is to use a headset or microphone connected to the audio jacks on the computer. I have done this with both Skype 3.0.0.217 and 3.1.0.112, and it works ok on both XP and Vista. Of course, this means that you are giving up video, and you have to have some kind of microphone other than the one in the Quickcam, but at least it works. I believe pretty strongly that even a headset connected via USB might cause a problem, but I have no direct experience with this yet.

The more complicated solution is to use a Logitech Quickcam without the Communication Helper software. There have been a couple of notes in this forum about blocking Communication Helper through the Skype Options/Privacy/Access setup, but in my experience this does not entirely solve the problem. After you install the Quickcam Web Driver package, you will find two items in the Windows Add/Remove Programs list, one for Logitech Quickcam Software, and one for Logitech Camera Driver. You can uninstall the Quickcam software without uninstalling the drivers, and this seems to produce much better results.

I hope this information is of use to someone. I don't guarantee it, and I still don't even claim to understand most of what is going on here. But I can say that I am now able to use Skype, with video, on a laptop that I have upgraded to Vista, using a Pro 4000 camera (works pretty well), a Notebook Deluxe camera (works ok, but the load is noticeably higher than the Pro 4000), and an UltraVision camera (works, barely, but there is significant blurring and video delay). In NONE of these cases, however, am I able to use the microphone in the camera. I'm still working on that...

jw

The simple solution is to use a headset or microphone connected to the audio jacks on the computer....
Of course, this means that you are giving up video

Why?
Just disable Logitech WebCam mic through Windows Device manager and enjoy video call via Skype.

I have more than two month of positive experience with PRO 5000.

Save yourself some trouble: Buy a Microsoft LifeCam Web cam. They are outstanding. There are LifeCam drivers for Vista and XP -- and the cameras work very very well with Skype, Windows Life Messenger and others.

Why?
Just disable Logitech WebCam mic through Windows Device manager and enjoy video call via Skype.

I have more than two month of positive experience with PRO 5000.

Jamie Watson Thank you for a very helpful and informative post.

This was very helpful. The Skype test call always was ok, but on real Skype call it would go to static on the other end, but I could hear them fine. It did not matter who I called always the same.

I have a Logitech Communicate STX QuickCam and I have experianced a very odd problem. For a while the sound and the video is fine but after few minutes (or even seconds - there is no rule) I can hear and see the person I am talking to, he can see me but he can NOT hear me, actually he can NOT hear my voice but he can hear the sounds of me typing on my keyboard?!?!?!?!?
It might have something to do with those advanced audio settings like "Echo cancel". I have tried all combinations, with those settings off and on but the PROBLEM is still there.
Any ideas?

Skype and Logitech Cameras

Please read this information regarding the Logitech Camera problems

If you have a Logitech webcam, this might be the cause of the problem.

Please try the following, to see if our assumption is correct:
Go to Tools > Options > Privacy and click on the link "Manage other
programs' access to Skype". Select "Communications_Helper.exe" from the
list and click "Change". There from the 3 available options select the
last one (Do not allow this program to use Skype) and click "Ok".

Afterwards try the conference call again to see if it works now.

If this solves the problem, please contact the Logitech support for a
permanent solution for this problem, as disabling of the program access
can only be considered a workaround, which probably disables some
features of your webcam in Skype.

Here is the link for the updated logitech driver (in case anyone else needs it)

I would also suggest that you try this:

1- Uninstall logitech webcam
2- Go to microsoft.com
3- Under popular downloads
4- Select DirectX (Feb. 2007 update)
5- Download program (dxwebsetup.exe)
6 - Reboot
7- Install logitech webcam software

You were right rocketman. Everything went right when I disabled Communications_Helper.exe. Thnx.

You are welcome.

This fix did not solve my QCP 5000 problem although it did improve it slightly.

It's impressive to see my P4-3.4GHz pinned on 100 percent CPU utilization, that is until you look at your CPU temperature and realize that it's being literally cooked (82° C).

My two QCP 5000s are going back to the store later this week, and I'm glad they are still within the 30 day return period at Fry's.

Bad move Logitech. You just fell off my list of reliable manufacturers. My business will go to your strongest competitor.

Save yourself some trouble: Buy a Microsoft LifeCam Web cam. They are outstanding. There are LifeCam drivers for Vista and XP -- and the cameras work very very well with Skype, Windows Life Messenger and others.

Do you mean the Webcam LifeCam NX-6000? Is it good? I desperately need a Vista ready webcam for my laptop...

"If you have a Logitech webcam, this might be the cause of the problem.

Please try the following, to see if our assumption is correct:
Go to Tools > Options > Privacy and click on the link "Manage other
programs' access to Skype". Select "Communications_Helper.exe" from the
list and click "Change". There from the 3 available options select the
last one (Do not allow this program to use Skype) and click "Ok". "


Hi rocketman,
When I tried to implement the suggestion above, I have nothing at all in the window that appears after clicking "Manage other programs' access to Skype".
Does this mean that I don't have a problem related to this?

I have had my Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX for 2 weeks and am having an awful time with sound on Skype calls. I have read the forum replies extensively. I have also returned my original Logitech unit to the retailer (who said that he also uses the same unit and has had no problems with it.......!! ) and took another replacement Logitech unit. I uninstalled the original Logitech programs,installed the Direct X from Windows, and then installed from the CD that came with the replacement unit. Nothing has been resolved.
My next option is to again return the Logitech unit and pay even more money to get an equivalent Microsoft unit(not to mention travelling some distance to do so- but if that will solve the problem, I'll do it).
Could you comment on my options,please? TIA

First of all can you advise me if you have your audio settings set as below please.

Subject: Audio Setup

1. Audio settings all versions

For Windows Sounds & Audio Devices Properties:

Audio > Sound Playback: Your on board sound/Sound Card.
Audio > Sound Recording: Your on board sound/Sound Card.

Voice > Sound Playback: Your on board sound/Sound Card.
Voice > Sound Recording: Your on board sound/Sound Card.

For Skype Sound Devices:

Audio In: Your headset/mic or USB device or Web cam mic.
Audio Out: Your headset/mic or USB device.
Ringing: VoIPVoice USB Phone or on board sound/Sound Card also tick Ring PC speaker.

Your installed audio device must be present there.
If not, reinstall audio device

2)Check if your micro (pink) and speaker (lime) jacks are really correct and fully inserted!
They sometimes stuck.
For test only you can use earphone instead of microphone for Line In.
Standard micro in Line In will NOT work.
Go to:
Start
Programs
Accessories
Entertainment or go to
Volume Control; right click on loudspeaker icon in Task Tray
Options
Microphone
Scroll down
Check "Microphone"
If the bar "Microphone" is available, the microphone is detected by Windows now go on
(If not, Windows has a problem with your microphone)
Just to check if your microphone is broken or bad, you can use your headphones instead. They really work!
Which one L or R is microphone now, I think it's L
Check "Advanced properties"

Check Micro "Advanced"
Open
Check "20db boost" or "1.MIC boost" depending on language version
Volume level can be left in any position.
Mute microphone!!!

3. Check audio now on windows base.
Start
Programs
Accessories
Entertainment
Soundrecorder

4. Once done, test with Skype Test Call echo123.

Vista Users

I just set up Skype 3.1.0.147 on Vista and initially couldn't get my microphone (plug) to work. After a quick Google search I found that under Control Panel --> Sound --> Recording Tab, you need to make sure your microphone is shown as "Working". To do this make it the default recording device. For me I also have found (even on XP) that I need to edit the Microphone properties and enable the +20dB boost.

Once I did this Skype worked right off the bat on Vista. No problem.

Grrr. What a nightmare. i've been battling with my logitech and skype for a long time. I finally read this and some other sites and just removed all the logitech installations except the logitech drivers and that did the trick. It works now. the only problem I still have is background noise, but it seems it is interference between my speakers and the logitech microphone in the camera. If I turn off the speakers it goes away (for a while).

I have exactly same sound input problem on vista with logitech webcam communicate stx. Call is dropped, indicating there is no microphone and suggesting to buy USB microphone. Skype version 4. Logitech webcam has only USB plug.

Then I uninstalled quickcam software and left only drivers. That helped to call once. But next time problem start to happen randomly.
Tried suggestion written above. Then did not help. How to solve the problem?

I wonder if Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 (Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000), works for sure with skype version 4 and above on vista system?

Thanks.

This post has been edited by nicolas19: Thu Sep 3 2009, 12:31