Editing QuickCam

{{Short description|Line of webcam products by Logitech}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2024}}[[File:FirstQuickCam.GIF|thumb|320px|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 ==
The original QuickCam was developed by [[Connectix]] in 1994 for [[United States|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|USB connection]].

The initial model was available only for the [[Apple Macintosh]], connecting to it via the serial port. It produced 16 [[grayscale|shades of gray]] at a [[Display resolution|resolution]] of 320×240 [[pixel]]s, and could record video at about 15 [[frame rate|frames]] per second; it cost [[USD|$]]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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Logitech Buys QuickCam Unit Of Connectix |url=http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19980811S0003 |website=techweb.com |access-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203040113/http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19980811S0003 |archive-date=3 Feb 1999 |date=11 August 1998}}</ref> The company has gradually decreased support for the Macintosh platform, with only one model as of 2010 officially supporting Mac or including Mac drivers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Webcams |url=https://www.logitech.com/en-us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413080900/http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/&cl=us,en |archive-date=April 13, 2010 |access-date= |website=[[Logitech]]'s official website |language=en}}</ref> 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|reason=Apple first integrated iSight in CoreDuo Macs in the fall of 2005; Logitech dropped OS X support for the cameras in question back in the fall of 2003.  The fall 2003 was also when USB-Video-Class (AKA UVC) was released as a standard.  It is far more likely that the reason Logitech dropped support for non-UVC compliant cameras, was because those products were legacy.  Logitech's roadmap was to sell and support USB UVC cameras.|date=August 2019}}.  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)|Time Magazine]]'s Top 100 Gadgets of all Time.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite magazine |last=Peter Ha |first= |date=25 October 2010 |title=Connectix QuickCam — All-TIME 100 Gadgets |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023689_2023703_2023628,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126163729/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023689_2023703_2023628,00.html |archive-date=26 January 2011 |access-date=2024-10-28 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}</ref>

== Cameras ==
{{See also|List of Logitech products}}
This list is non-exhaustive.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! 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.<ref name="highbeam1">[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19185327.html 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...]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105164130/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19185327.html |date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref> Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.<ref name="FAQ">[http://piki.org/patrick/quickcam/Quickcam_Technical_FAQ.txt QuickCam Technical FAQ]</ref>
|-
| Connectix Color QuickCam
|
|
|
| 1996
| General
| 320 × 240 24bpp
|
| $199
| Serial model with built-in microphone and Parallel model.<ref name="FAQ"/>
|-
| Connectix Color QuickCam 2
|
|
|
| 1997
| General
| 320 × 240 24bpp
|
| $199
| Improved sensor and optical system, optimised for indoor use<ref name="highbeam1"/> Parallel model only.<ref name="FAQ"/>
|-
| Connectix QuickCam VC
|
|
|[[File:QuickCam VC.jpg|100px]]
| 1998
| General
| 320 × 240
|
| $99 – $129
| VC for "Video Conferencing". First USB QuickCam; also supports parallel ports.<ref>[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MWSB/lib00253,0EB82B0AD0603C12.html JSOnline.com News Archives]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806162117/http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MWSB/lib00253,0EB82B0AD0603C12.html |date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| Connectix QuickCam Home
|
|
|
| 1998
| General
| 320 × 240<ref>[http://www.dansdata.com/quickcam.htm Review: Logitech USB QuickCam Home]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126083703/http://www.dansdata.com/quickcam.htm |date=January 26, 2011 }}</ref>
|
| $130
| Only USB.<ref name="newsbank1">[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/SP/lib00249,0EB5E38B38570DED.html Pioneer Press: Search Results]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806162141/http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/SP/lib00249,0EB5E38B38570DED.html |date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| Connectix QuickCam Pro
|
|
|
| 1998
| High-End
| 640 × 480
|
| $150
| USB and Parallel.<ref name="newsbank1"/>
|-
|Logitech USB QuickCam Home
|
|
|[[File:Logitech USB QuickCam Home.png|100px]]
|1998
|General
|352x288<ref>{{Cite web|title=Logitech Quickcam Home Webcam Specs|url=https://www.cnet.com/products/logitech-quickcam-home-webcam/|access-date=2020-06-28|website=CNET|language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Express
|
|
|[[File:Logitech QuickCam Express -8477.jpg|100px]]
| 1999
| General
| 320 × 240 @ 30 frame/s,<ref>[http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/quickcam-express-usb-50pk/1707-6502_7-3709309.html QUICKCAM EXPRESS USB 50PK - WebCams - CNET Archive]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013144301/http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/quickcam-express-usb-50pk/1707-6502_7-3709309.html |date=October 13, 2012 }}</ref> 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s
|
| $49
|.<ref name="newsbank1"/>
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Web
|
|
|
| 1999
| High-End
| 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s<ref>[http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/quickcam-web-digtlcam-usb/1707-6502_7-3709490.html QUICKCAM WEB DIGTLCAM USB 640X480 PC 30FPS S/W 5PK - WebCams - CNET Archive]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013144552/http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/quickcam-web-digtlcam-usb/1707-6502_7-3709490.html |date=October 13, 2012 }}</ref>
|
|
| Only USB.<ref>[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MWSB/lib00253,0EB82D487664F0EB.html JSOnline.com News Archives]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806162153/http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MWSB/lib00253,0EB82D487664F0EB.html |date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref> With built-in microphone.<ref>[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/DSNB/lib00496,0F365868C945E002.html NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806162204/http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/DSNB/lib00496,0F365868C945E002.html |date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000
|
|
|
| 2000
| High-End
| 640 × 480
|
|
|
|-
| Logitech QuickCam 3000
|
|
|
| 2001
| Business
|640 × 480
|
| <ref>[http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/webcameras/logitech-quickcam-3000/ Logitech QuickCam 3000 Reviews]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001115009/http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/webcameras/logitech-quickcam-3000/ |date=October 1, 2010 }}</ref>
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Traveler
|
|
| [[File:Logitech QuickCam Traveller-P4191212-white.jpg|100px]]
| 2001
| Notebook
| 640 × 480 @ 30 frame/s<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/2001-08-13-komando.htm Tech cool for back to school]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628210054/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/2001-08-13-komando.htm |date=June 28, 2011 }}</ref>
|
| $99 – $149
| First "laptop" QuickCam.<ref>[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/NWEC/lib00284,0EC930194A66D62F.html Newsweek Archives]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806162612/http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/NWEC/lib00284,0EC930194A66D62F.html |date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| 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&nbsp;mm
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
|
|
|[[File:Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000.jpg|100px]]
| 2002
| High-End
| 640 × 480 @ 15 frame/s<ref>[http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/logitech-quickcam-pro-4000/4505-6502_7-20276742.html#reviewPage1 Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 Review - WebCams - CNET Reviews]   {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116172433/http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/logitech-quickcam-pro-4000/4505-6502_7-20276742.html |date=January 16, 2011 }}</ref>
|
|
| 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
|
|
| [[File:Logitech QuickCam Sphere.jpg|100px]]
| 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&nbsp;cm USB cord.  Adjusts lighting in dim light.
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Cordless
|
|
|
| 2004
| Speciality
|
|
|
|
|-
| Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe
|V-UBU49
|860-000070
960-000095
|[[File:Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe with label.jpg|100px]]
| 2005
| Notebook
|640 × 480 video, 1.3 Mpixel still photo
|Manual
|
|78&nbsp;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<ref>{{cite web |url=http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16625/~/quickcam-connect-(e2500)-technical-specifications |title=QuickCam Connect (E2500) Technical Specifications - Logitech FAQ |website=logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131124020409/http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16625/~/quickcam-connect-(e2500)-technical-specifications |archive-date=24 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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
|[[File:Logitech_720p_Webcam_C905_with_label.jpg|100px]]
|2007
|Notebook/General
|1600 × 1200 video, 8.0 Mpixel still photo
|Auto
|
|78&nbsp;cm USB cord.  Comes with 30 weighted base and mounting stalk. RightLight2 lighting correction.
|-
| Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
|V-UBM46
|860-000109
960-000313
|[[File:Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 with label.jpg|100px]]
| 2007
| High-End
|1600 × 1200 @ 30 frame/s video, 8.0 Mpixel still photo
|Auto
|
|210&nbsp;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 ==
* [[History of videotelephony]]
* [[List of video telecommunication services and product brands]]
* [[Videoconferencing]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.logitech.com/ Logitech's home page]
* [http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/ Macam project at SourceForge.net]
* [http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023689_2023703_2023628,00.html Connectix QuickCam - All-TIME 100 Gadgets - TIME] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120104554/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2023689_2023703_2023628,00.html |date=2011-01-20 }}
* [http://www.stevesantfarm.com/ Steves Ant Farm Cam home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127074744/http://www.stevesantfarm.com/ |date=2021-01-27 }}
* [https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023206274#os Logitech product numbers and driver support]

{{Logitech}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Quickcam}}
[[Category:Webcams]]
[[Category:Teleconferencing]]
[[Category:Videotelephony]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1994]]
[[Category:Logitech products]]