QuickCam

This 1996 picture was taken with the original Connectix QuickCam for Macintosh. Although its picture quality is today considered primitive, it was the first widespread webcam-like device

QuickCam is a line of webcam video camera products by Logitech.

The original QuickCam was developed by Connectix in 1994 for nationwide 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. It is now considered one of the top gadgets of all time.[1]

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 1998. The company has gradually decreased support for the Macintosh platform, with only one current model 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. Many recent models implement the USB video device class standard and work under Mac OS without additional drivers.

Today, Logitech QuickCam is one of the world's most recognized webcam brands.

StevesAntFarm.com is the longest continuously running webcam using a QuickCam. Started in January 1995 and continues to this day.

In October 2010, QuickCam was elected to Time Magazine's Top 100 Gadgets of all Time[1]

Cameras

This list is non-exhaustive.

Camera Image Year Category Sensor resolution RRP (USD) Notes
Connectix QuickCam 1994 General 320x240 4bpp Greyscale $100 Sold over 500,000 units from 1994 to 1997.[3] Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.[4]
Connectix Color QuickCam 1996 General 320x240 24bpp $199 Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.[4]
Connectix Color QuickCam 2 1997 General 320x240 24bpp $199 Improved sensor and optical system, optimised for indoor use[3] Parallel model only.[4]
Connectix QuickCam VC 1998 General 320x240 $99 – $129 VC for "Video Conferencing". First USB QuickCam; also supports parallel ports.[5]
Connectix QuickCam Home 1998 General 320x240[6] $130 Only USB.[7]
Connectix QuickCam Pro 1998 High-End 640x480 $150 USB and Parallel.[7]
Logitech QuickCam Express 1999 General 320x240 @ 30 frame/s,[8] 640x480 @ 15 frame/s $49 .[7]
Logitech QuickCam Web 1999 High-End 640x480 @ 30 frame/s[9] Only USB.[10] With built-in microphone.[11]
Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000 2000 High-End 640x480
Logitech QuickCam 3000 2001 Business [12]
Logitech QuickCam Traveler 2001 Notebook 640x480 @ 30 frame/s[13] $99–$149 First "laptop" QuickCam.[14]
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 2002 High-End 640x480 @ 15 frame/s[15] Can take interpolated 1280x960 stills.
Logitech QuickCam Zoom 2002 General 640x480 $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 for Notebooks 2002 Notebook
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro 2002 Notebook
Logitech QuickCam Sphere 2003 Flagship 640x480 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 2004 General
Logitech QuickCam Cordless 2004 Speciality
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe 2005 Notebook
Logitech QuickCam Chat 2005 General
Logitech QuickCam Fusion 2005 General
Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 2005 High-End
Logitech QuickCam Sphere MP 2005 Flagship Motorized pan/tilt. Known as the "QuickCam Orbit MP" in North America
Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision 2005 High-End
Logitech QuickCam Connect 2006 General 640x480[16]
Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX 2006 General
Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 2007 High-End
Logitech QuickCam IM 2007 General
Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF 2007 Flagship Known as "QuickCam Orbit AF" in North America.
Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro 2008 Macintosh

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Connectix QuickCam - All-TIME 100 Gadgets - TIME Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  2. ↑ Webcams Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  3. 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 January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  4. 1 2 3 QuickCam Technical FAQ
  5. ↑ JSOnline.com News Archives Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  6. ↑ Review: Logitech USB QuickCam Home Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  7. 1 2 3 Pioneer Press: Search Results Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  8. ↑ QUICKCAM EXPRESS USB 50PK - WebCams - CNET Archive Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  9. ↑ QUICKCAM WEB DIGTLCAM USB 640X480 PC 30FPS S/W 5PK - WebCams - CNET Archive Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  10. ↑ JSOnline.com News Archives Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  11. ↑ NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  12. ↑ Logitech QuickCam 3000 Reviews Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  13. ↑ Tech cool for back to school Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  14. ↑ Newsweek Archives Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  15. ↑ Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Review - WebCams - CNET Reviews Archived January 24, 2011, at WebCite
  16. ↑ http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16625/~/quickcam-connect-(e2500)-technical-specifications[]
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