QuickCam

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A picture taken with the original Connectix QuickCam. FirstQuickCam.GIF
A picture taken with the original Connectix QuickCam.

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.

Contents

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. [1] The company has gradually decreased support for the Macintosh platform, with only one model as of 2010 officially supporting Mac or including Mac drivers. [2] This could largely be the result of Apple building webcams into their laptop and desktop computers, negating the need for external third party devices [ dubious – discuss ]. 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. [3]

Cameras

This list is non-exhaustive.

CameraModel #Part #ImageYearCategorySensor resolutionFocusRRP (USD)Notes
Connectix QuickCam1994General320 × 240 4bpp Greyscale$100Sold over 500,000 units from 1994 to 1997. [4] Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model. [5]
Connectix Color QuickCam1996General320 × 240 24bpp$199Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model. [5]
Connectix Color QuickCam 21997General320 × 240 24bpp$199Improved sensor and optical system, optimised for indoor use [4] Parallel model only. [5]
Connectix QuickCam VC QuickCam VC.jpg 1998General320 × 240$99 – $129VC for "Video Conferencing". First USB QuickCam; also supports parallel ports. [6]
Connectix QuickCam Home1998General320 × 240 [7] $130Only USB. [8]
Connectix QuickCam Pro1998High-End640 × 480$150USB and Parallel. [8]
Logitech USB QuickCam Home Logitech USB QuickCam Home.png 1998General352x288 [9]
Logitech QuickCam Express Logitech QuickCam Express -8477.jpg 1999General320 × 240 @ 30 frame/s, [10] 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s$49. [8]
Logitech QuickCam Web1999High-End640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s [11] Only USB. [12] With built-in microphone. [13]
Logitech QuickCam Pro 30002000High-End640 × 480
Logitech QuickCam 30002001Business640 × 480 [14]
Logitech QuickCam Traveler Logitech QuickCam Traveller-P4191212-white.jpg 2001Notebook640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s [15] $99 – $149First "laptop" QuickCam. [16]
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks961404-04032001Notebook640 × 480 video, 640 × 480 still photoManual
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro961398-04032001Notebook1.3 Mpixel resolutionRealLight lighting correction. f=3.85 mm
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000.jpg 2002High-End640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s [17] Can take interpolated 1280 × 960 stills.
Logitech QuickCam Zoom2002General640 × 480$99Features 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 Sphere2003Flagship640 × 480First motorised pan/tilt QuickCam. Known as "QuickCam Orbit" in North America
Logitech QuickCam Messenger2004General
Logitech QuickCam Express 22004General
Logitech QuickCam Communicate MP997-000078

960-000240

2004General960 × 720 video, 4.0 Mpixel still photoFixed183 cm USB cord. Adjusts lighting in dim light.
Logitech QuickCam Cordless2004Speciality
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks DeluxeV-UBU49860-000070

960-000095

 Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe with label.jpg 2005Notebook640 × 480 video, 1.3 Mpixel still photoManual78 cm USB cord
Logitech QuickCam Chat2005GeneralManual
Logitech QuickCam Fusion2005General
Logitech QuickCam Pro 50002005High-End
Logitech QuickCam Sphere MP2005Flagship640 × 480Motorized pan/tilt. Known as the "QuickCam Orbit MP" in North America
Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision2005High-End640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s
Logitech QuickCam Connect2006General640 × 480 [18] video, 640 × 480 still photo
Logitech QuickCam Communicate STXV-UBK45

V-UAM14A

961410-0403

961443-0403

961464-0403

961687-0403

2006General640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s, 1.3 Mpixel still photoFixed
Logitech 720p Webcam C905V-UBU48860-000108 Logitech 720p Webcam C905 with label.jpg 2007Notebook/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

 Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 with label.jpg 2007High-End1600 × 1200 @ 30 frame/s video, 8.0 Mpixel still photoAuto210 cm cord
Logitech QuickCam IM2007General640 × 480
Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF2007Flagship1600 × 1200Known as "QuickCam Orbit AF" in North America.
Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro960-0002542008Macintosh1600 × 1200Auto

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Logitech Buys QuickCam Unit Of Connectix". techweb.com. 11 August 1998. Archived from the original on 3 Feb 1999. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "Webcams". Logitech's official website. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010.
  3. ↑ Peter Ha (25 October 2010). "Connectix QuickCam — All-TIME 100 Gadgets". TIME . ISSN   0040-781X. Archived from the original on 26 January 2011. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  4. 1 2 Connectix Ships Color QuickCam 2 for Windows: Next Generation of Best-Selling Digital Camera; Connectix QuickCam 2 Delivers Sharper Images, Enhanced Software, and Easy Applica... Archived November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. 1 2 3 QuickCam Technical FAQ
  6. ↑ JSOnline.com News Archives Archived August 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Review: Logitech USB QuickCam Home Archived January 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 3 Pioneer Press: Search Results Archived August 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "Logitech Quickcam Home Webcam Specs". CNET. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  10. ↑ QUICKCAM EXPRESS USB 50PK - WebCams - CNET Archive Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ QUICKCAM WEB DIGTLCAM USB 640X480 PC 30FPS S/W 5PK - WebCams - CNET Archive Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ JSOnline.com News Archives Archived August 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources Archived August 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Logitech QuickCam 3000 Reviews Archived October 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Tech cool for back to school Archived June 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ↑ Newsweek Archives Archived August 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Review - WebCams - CNET Reviews Archived January 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "QuickCam Connect (E2500) Technical Specifications - Logitech FAQ". logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
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