QuickCam is a line of webcam video camera products originally produced by Connectix in 1994 and acquired by Logitech in 1998. Although its picture quality would today be considered primitive, it was the first widespread used webcam-like device.
History The original QuickCam was developed by Connectix in 1994 for US-wide commercial sale and was the first widely marketed webcam-like device, although its original advertising did not use the term "webcam" or refer to the World Wide Web, then in its infancy. Video conferencing via computers already existed at the time, and client-server based video conferencing software such as CU-SeeMe was gaining popularity. Eventually, it evolved from an RS-422 connector to a parallel connector then eventually to a USB connection.
The initial model was available only for the Apple Macintosh, connecting to it via the serial port. It produced 16 shades of gray at a resolution of 320×240 pixels, and could record video at about 15 frames per second; it cost $100.
The software that originally shipped with the camera included QuickMovie for recording motion pictures and QuickPICT for capturing still images.
The QuickCam product line was acquired by Logitech in August 1998. The company has gradually decreased support for the Macintosh platform, with only one model as of 2010 officially supporting Mac or including Mac drivers. This could largely be the result of Apple building webcams into their laptop and desktop computers, negating the need for external third party devices . Many recent models implement the USB video device class standard and work under Mac OS without additional drivers.
In October 2010, QuickCam was elected to Time Magazine's Top 100 Gadgets of all Time.
Cameras
This list is non-exhaustive.
+ CameraModel #Part # Image Year Category Sensor resolutionFocus RRP (USD) Notes Connectix QuickCam 1994 General 320 × 240 4bpp Greyscale $100 Sold over 500,000 units from 1994 to 1997. Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.QuickCam Technical FAQ Connectix Color QuickCam 1996 General 320 × 240 24bpp $199 Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model. Connectix Color QuickCam 2 1997 General 320 × 240 24bpp $199 Improved sensor and optical system, optimised for indoor use Parallel model only. Connectix QuickCam VC 1998 General 320 × 240 $99 – $129 VC for "Video Conferencing". First USB QuickCam; also supports parallel ports.JSOnline.com News Archives Connectix QuickCam Home 1998 General 320 × 240Review: Logitech USB QuickCam Home $130 Only USB.Pioneer Press: Search Results Connectix QuickCam Pro 1998 High-End 640 × 480 $150 USB and Parallel.Logitech USB QuickCam Home1998General352x288 Logitech QuickCam Express 1999 General 320 × 240 @ 30 frame/s,QUICKCAM EXPRESS USB 50PK - WebCams - CNET Archive 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s $49. Logitech QuickCam Web 1999 High-End 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/sQUICKCAM WEB DIGTLCAM USB 640X480 PC 30FPS S/W 5PK - WebCams - CNET Archive Only USB.JSOnline.com News Archives With built-in microphone.NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000 2000 High-End 640 × 480 Logitech QuickCam 3000 2001 Business640 × 480 Logitech QuickCam 3000 Reviews Logitech QuickCam Traveler 2001 Notebook 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/sTech cool for back to school $99 – $149 First "laptop" QuickCam.Newsweek Archives Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks961404-0403 2001 Notebook640 × 480 video, 640 × 480 still photoManual Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro961398-0403 2001 Notebook1.3 Mpixel resolutionRealLight lighting correction. f=3.85 mm Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 2002 High-End 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/sLogitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Review - WebCams - CNET Reviews Can take interpolated 1280 × 960 stills. Logitech QuickCam Zoom 2002 General 640 × 480 $99 Features a digital zoom that focuses on the user's face. Re-released as "QuickCam Zoom Silver" in 2003, then "QuickCam Zoom Refresh" in 2004. Logitech QuickCam Sphere 2003 Flagship 640 × 480 First motorised pan/tilt QuickCam. Known as "QuickCam Orbit" in North America Logitech QuickCam Messenger 2004 General Logitech QuickCam Express 2 2004 General Logitech QuickCam Communicate MP997-000078 960-000240 2004 General960 × 720 video, 4.0 Mpixel still photoFixed183 cm USB cord. Adjusts lighting in dim light. Logitech QuickCam Cordless 2004 Speciality Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks DeluxeV-UBU49860-000070 960-000095 2005 Notebook640 × 480 video, 1.3 Mpixel still photoManual78 cm USB cord Logitech QuickCam Chat 2005 General Manual Logitech QuickCam Fusion 2005 General Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 2005 High-End Logitech QuickCam Sphere MP 2005 Flagship640 × 480 Motorized pan/tilt. Known as the "QuickCam Orbit MP" in North America Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision 2005 High-End640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s Logitech QuickCam Connect 2006 General 640 × 480 video, 640 × 480 still photo Logitech QuickCam Communicate STXV-UBK45 V-UAM14A961410-0403 961443-0403
961464-0403
961687-0403 2006 General640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s, 1.3 Mpixel still photoFixedLogitech 720p Webcam C905V-UBU48860-0001082007Notebook/General1600 × 1200 video, 8.0 Mpixel still photoAuto78 cm USB cord. Comes with 30 weighted base and mounting stalk. RightLight2 lighting correction. Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000V-UBM46860-000109 960-000313 2007 High-End1600 × 1200 @ 30 frame/s video, 8.0 Mpixel still photoAuto210 cm cord Logitech QuickCam IM 2007 General640 × 480 Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF 2007 Flagship1600 × 1200 Known as "QuickCam Orbit AF" in North America. Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro960-000254 2008 Macintosh1600 × 1200Auto
See also History of videotelephony List of video telecommunication services and product brands Videoconferencing
References
External links Logitech's home page Macam project at SourceForge.net Connectix QuickCam - All-TIME 100 Gadgets - TIME Steves Ant Farm Cam home page Logitech product numbers and driver support