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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.

History

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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

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See also: List of Logitech products

This list is non-exhaustive.

Camera Model # Part # Image Year Category Sensor resolution Focus RRP (USD) Notes
Connectix QuickCam 1994 General 320 × 240 4bpp Greyscale $100 Sold over 500,000 units from 1994 to 1997.[4] Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.[5]
Connectix Color QuickCam 1996 General 320 × 240 24bpp $199 Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.[5]
Connectix Color QuickCam 2 1997 General 320 × 240 24bpp $199 Improved sensor and optical system, optimised for indoor use[4] Parallel model only.[5]
Connectix QuickCam VC 1998 General 320 × 240 $99 – $129 VC for "Video Conferencing". First USB QuickCam; also supports parallel ports.[6]
Connectix QuickCam Home 1998 General 320 × 240[7] $130 Only USB.[8]
Connectix QuickCam Pro 1998 High-End 640 × 480 $150 USB and Parallel.[8]
Logitech USB QuickCam Home 1998 General 352x288[9]
Logitech QuickCam Express 1999 General 320 × 240 @ 30 frame/s,[10] 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s $49 .[8]
Logitech QuickCam Web 1999 High-End 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s[11] Only USB.[12] With built-in microphone.[13]
Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000 2000 High-End 640 × 480
Logitech QuickCam 3000 2001 Business 640 × 480 [14]
Logitech QuickCam Traveler 2001 Notebook 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s[15] $99 – $149 First "laptop" QuickCam.[16]
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks 961404-0403 2001 Notebook 640 × 480 video, 640 × 480 still photo Manual
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro 961398-0403 2001 Notebook 1.3 Mpixel resolution RealLight lighting correction. f=3.85 mm
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 2002 High-End 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s[17] 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 MP 997-000078

960-000240

2004 General 960 × 720 video, 4.0 Mpixel still photo Fixed 183 cm USB cord. Adjusts lighting in dim light.
Logitech QuickCam Cordless 2004 Speciality
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe V-UBU49 860-000070

960-000095

2005 Notebook 640 × 480 video, 1.3 Mpixel still photo Manual 78 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 Flagship 640 × 480 Motorized pan/tilt. Known as the "QuickCam Orbit MP" in North America
Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision 2005 High-End 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s
Logitech QuickCam Connect 2006 General 640 × 480[18] video, 640 × 480 still photo
Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX V-UBK45

V-UAM14A

961410-0403

961443-0403

961464-0403

961687-0403

2006 General 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s, 1.3 Mpixel still photo Fixed
Logitech 720p Webcam C905 V-UBU48 860-000108 2007 Notebook/General 1600 × 1200 video, 8.0 Mpixel still photo Auto 78 cm USB cord. Comes with 30 weighted base and mounting stalk. RightLight2 lighting correction.
Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 V-UBM46 860-000109

960-000313

2007 High-End 1600 × 1200 @ 30 frame/s video, 8.0 Mpixel still photo Auto 210 cm cord
Logitech QuickCam IM 2007 General 640 × 480
Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF 2007 Flagship 1600 × 1200 Known as "QuickCam Orbit AF" in North America.
Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro 960-000254 2008 Macintosh 1600 × 1200 Auto

See also

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References

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  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c 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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