I started taking PC cameras seriously only post-pandemic when they became powerful enough to decide the fate of your professional lives. Personally, they became an important feature after I started recording the video version of my podcasts.
While I tried a host of podcast mics to see which gave the best experience, I haven’t really experimented with web cameras, also due to the fact that most of the recording is done on a MacBook or iMac which offers a pretty good video quality. And this is why the Logitech MX Brio 4K UHD webcam was a review I was looking forward to.
The Logitech MX Brio has a simple design with a foldable base that helps it easily perch on top of your monitor or even laptop. In my case, I used it mostly with the iMac and it stayed stable through long video calls and recordings. It connects to the computer via a USB-C port.
The camera comes with a lens ring that operates a privacy shutter which you can keep locked when the camera is not in use. Also, the camera can tilt towards the front in case you want to share something on your table with your audience. Both very good features to have, especially if you are a video streamer.
The Logitech MX Brio 4K webcam features dual beam-forming, noise-reducing microphones that significantly reduce background noise, although not quite to podcast quality. (Image: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)
My first few attempts were on Zoom recordings of my podcasts and I have to say the frame did not work well for me. I usually record my podcasts with a virtual background and the 4K video of the MX Brio made my image much smaller on the screen.
This is when I realised that the camera is supposed to be used with the Logitech Option+ app that lets you control all aspects from the zoom to colour and exposure settings. The app lets you change the field of view between 65, 78, and 90 degrees. And the zoom itself can be up to 395% using the slider in the app, though after 200% some lack of clarity sets in.
After getting the hang of this, I upped my Zoom game and tried everything from better brightness and a warm colour profile while on calls. Sadly, I could not record any more podcasts during the review period, but it was clear that with this camera and a more presentable background, I would be able to get rid of the virtual backgrounds that I use for my recordings.
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The Logitech MX Brio 4K webcam, paired with the Logitech Option+ app, allows users to adjust color settings, enhancing the visual appeal of backgrounds during video calls and recordings. (Image: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)
The MX Brio also comes with dual beam-forming noise-reducing mics which cut out a lot of background noise when you are on calls. However, it is not podcast quality and I would rather continue using a podcast mic for that. Still, what the Brio offers is way better than the mics on your laptops.
At Rs 24,595, the MX Brio is a good addition for those who spend a lot of time on video calls and conferences or streaming their ideas to the world. In fact, I think this is a good cost-effective option to connect many conference rooms as well. Buy this if you want to be seen and heard in a cluttered video environment.
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