Looking for an alternative to Logitech's software for my C920 webcam

I may be jumping the gun here but I'm having trouble with the webcam software that cam with my Logitech C920 WebCam. I'm currently working with Logitech Support on this issue but I'm not optimistic about finding a solution.

To make a long story short the microphone in the C920 is functional as I use it to access Cortana. I can also go out to Webcam Toy - Take photos online with over 80 fun effects and after I grant the online app permission, the camera will activate and I can see myself in front of my PC. However, when I open up the Quick Capture feature in Logitech's webcam application that they provides with the camera it will not activate the camera and will not display and image in the frame provided.

If can assume that the camera is functioning correctly and I Logitech cannot resolve this issue with their software are there paid, freeware or open source alternatives that I might use as an alternative? If so are there any packages that fellow users of this site can recommend? If so, please let me know their names. Thanks.

I don't have an answer for you but I am wondering if you are getting the same problem I am, I have the C920 too but the software is crashing C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\LWS\Webcam Software\Launcher_Main.exe

I noticed a few others on their site with that crashing too, no real response from Logitech that I could see though. This just happened after installing 1607 so I assume they weren't testing builds.

All that being said, I'd be interested in what others might suggest as well.

derekimo said:

I don't have an answer for you but I am wondering if you are getting the same problem I am, I have the C920 too but the software is crashing C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\LWS\Webcam Software\Launcher_Main.exe

I noticed a few others on their site with that crashing too, no real response from Logitech that I could see though. This just happened after installing 1607 so I assume they weren't testing builds.

All that being said, I'd be interested in what others might suggest as well.

Actually, there has been a change in my problem since my original post. Initially when I posted the problem my PC had not been upgraded to the Anniversary Edition but I did get upgraded to the newer version a day or two later. After the upgrade I launched the current version of the Logitech Webcam software and initially when I went into Quick Capture it was defaulting into video mode instead of the photo mode and the camera turned on and I could see myself in the application frame. However, when I attempted to switch from video mode to photo mode I consistently received the Launcher_Main error and the application would terminate. Strangely after my system was shutdown and restarted the software now defaults into photo mode and the Launcher_Main error occurs every time I open the Quick Capture.

Note that I had opened a problem ticket with Logitech on my original problem and I have since updated the problem report to reflect the change in behavior based on my upgrade of my PC to the Anniversary edition. The most recent reply that I've received from Logitech is that they are seeing similar results and that the first level support tech was turning the problem over to a second level tech and they asked me to provide them with a system information report, a DXDIAG report and a Webcan diagnostic report which I have provided. Note that I have also seen a large number of reports of C920 failures with the Launcher_Main error occurring so I'm pretty sure that this has become a hot problem with Logitech although I have not had an update of my problem report since Wednesday August 10 so stay tuned.

Yeah, that's basically the same issue I'm having. I wonder if I started a support ticket if it would help.

I got that failure just trying to open capture and also on the motion. They should be working on it with all the other ones I saw on their forums.

It may be worth a shot. I'm sure that if you specifically state that your getting the Launcher_Main error after your PC was upgraded to the 1607 Anniversary edition of Windows 1st level support probably won't spend any time on your problem but they may ask you to provide them with a system information report a DXDIAG report and a Webcam diagnostic report to help their analysis.

Just a quick update. I just went out on Logitech's Community Forum and did a search on Launcher_Main and there are some really angry folks out there asking Logitech what they are doing to resolve this issue, why it's taking so long and why Logitech won't post a progress report. Many of these people indicate that they use the WebCam software as part of their business and that they are loosing money as a result of this Launcher_Main problem.

moondoggy said:

It may be worth a shot. I'm sure that if you specifically state that your getting the Launcher_Main error after your PC was upgraded to the 1607 Anniversary edition of Windows 1st level support probably won't spend any time on your problem but they may ask you to provide them with a system information report a DXDIAG report and a Webcam diagnostic report to help their analysis.

Yeah, I wasn't expecting to get a lot of help, but I'll give them the reports they want if it will help fix the issue.

moondoggy said:

Just a quick update. I just went out on Logitech's Community Forum and did a search on Launcher_Main and there are some really angry folks out there asking Logitech what they are doing to resolve this issue, why it's taking so long and why Logitech won't post a progress report. Many of these people indicate that they use the WebCam software as part of their business and that they are loosing money as a result of this Launcher_Main problem.

That's all the ones I saw when searching earlier. No replies from Logitech either, they could be a little more proactive.

Alright, I just started a support ticket so I guess we'll both wait and see now.

Still haven't had a response on mine but I did see this posted on their forum,

Windows 10 Anniversary Edition Update Issue and Logitech Webcams

Dear Community Members,

Thank you for your inquiry. We are sorry that you’re experiencing an issue with your Logitech webcam.*

We have discovered that this is linked to a change Microsoft made in the Windows 10 Anniversary Edition where support of compressed MJPG and H.264 streams for webcams was dropped.

Microsoft is working on an update to address the issue, but at this time we do not have an estimate for when it will be available. We will provide updates on this forum page as we learn more.

Source

So it looks like they have tossed it in Microsoft's lap.

Funny how it's always someone else's fault when you have a bunch of owners hopping mad.