Apple QuickTime Conferencing Camera
| Apple QuickTime Conferencing Camera 100 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Apple's drawing of the camera and its focus dial, from the VideoPhone Kit manual | |
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Colour video camera for videoconferencing |
| Release date | 1995 |
| Interface | NTSC composite video (RCA); 12 V DC input; integrated cable to the computer's S-video input port |
| Compatible | Macintosh Quadra 660AV and 840AV; Power Macintosh AV models; Power Macintosh 5400, 5500, 6400 and 6500 with the Video-In card |
| Dimensions | 75 × 75 × 124 mm |
| Weight | About 200 g |
| Power | 11 to 16 V DC, about 1.9 W |
| Part number | 661-0977 (service part) |
The Apple QuickTime Conferencing Camera 100 is a small colour video camera that Apple supplied for desktop videoconferencing with the QuickTime Conferencing Kit, the QuickTime Conferencing ISDN Kit and the Apple VideoPhone Kit.[1][2] It is a CCD camera with an NTSC composite output, a manual focus ring and an iris knob, and it sits on a tilt-and-swivel base. On most Power Macintosh AV models a single cable carries the camera's video into the computer's S-video input port and brings 12 V back from that port to power the camera.[1][3]
Kits
[edit | edit source]Apple sold the camera only as part of a kit:
- The QuickTime Conferencing Kit, M4490LL/B, held the camera and cables, the QuickTime Conferencing system extension, the Apple Media Conference application, Farallon Timbuktu Pro and a System 7.5.3 installer. It ran over Ethernet, AppleTalk or TCP/IP.[4]
- The QuickTime Conferencing ISDN Kit added an H.320 NuBus card and a telephone handset for ISDN calls; Apple gave order numbers M4585LL/A for the NuBus version and M4616LL/A for a PCI version.[1][4]
- The Apple VideoPhone Kit, M5673LL/A, replaced Apple Media Conference with the Apple VideoPhone application and could also run over a 28.8 kbps modem connection to the Internet.[5][6] Apple's Apple Facts of November 1996 names its camera as the QuickTime Conferencing Camera 100.[2] The camera was already part of the QuickTime Conferencing Kit in Apple's QuickTime Conferencing data sheet of October 1995.[7]
Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Image sensor | 1/3-inch CCD |
| Pixels | Effective 250,000 (512 × 492); total 270,000 |
| Lens | 6.0 mm, f/2.8 |
| Focus | Manual, 2 in to infinity |
| Sensitivity | Standard 1,500 lux; minimum 5 lux (60 Hz mode) or 10 lux (50 Hz mode); maximum 100,000 lux |
| Video output | NTSC composite, 1.0 V p-p ±20 % into 75 Ω, RCA jack |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 46 dB (weighted) |
| Horizontal resolution | 320 TV lines (centre) |
| White balance | Automatic, 2,700 to 6,500 K |
| Exposure | Automatic; iris knob for manual adjustment |
| Power | 11 to 16 V DC, about 1.9 W; 5.5 mm DC input |
| Size and weight | 75 × 75 × 124 mm, about 200 g |
| Operating environment | 0 to 40 °C, 10 to 70 per cent humidity[1] |
Figures are from the camera technical information in the VideoPhone Kit manual except where marked.[8]
Apple's documents differ on some figures. The Service Source gives the supply as 12 to 16 V, total pixels as 542 × 492 and the cable as 6 feet long; the VideoPhone Kit manual gives 11 to 16 V, 542 × 497 and an 8-foot integrated cable.[1][8] The QuickTime Conferencing Kit data sheet lists "automatic focusing" as well as manual focusing for close-ups, while both manuals describe manual focus only.[4][8]
Controls
[edit | edit source]
The camera has four controls.[8]
- The power switch opens the lens cover and switches the camera on; a green light beside the lens shows that it is on.
- The manual focus dial on the side of the lens housing focuses from 2 inches to infinity.
- The iris knob on the back, next to the DC In socket, adjusts the brightness of the picture.
- A 50 Hz/60 Hz switch underneath stops flicker under lighting on 50 Hz mains.
The base lets the camera pan 40 degrees either way and tilt 10 degrees up or 20 degrees down. The camera usually sits on top of the monitor, and the base has a tripod socket.[8]
Connecting the camera
[edit | edit source]Three cables came with the camera: a combination cable (A) from the S-video plug to the DC power plug and an RCA plug, an RCA to RCA video cable (B), and an S-video to DC power cable (C).[3] Apple's service part numbers are 922-1521 for the integrated power and video cable, 922-2019 for the 6-foot RCA cable and 922-2020 for the 6-foot S-video to power cable.[1]
The camera's output is composite video. Most Power Macintosh AV models accept composite video on their S-video input port and also supply 12 V from it, so cable A is all they need. The Power Macintosh 7500 and 8500 cannot take composite video on the S-video port: fed that way the picture comes out in black and white, so they take video through the RCA input with cable B and power from the S-video port with cable C. The Quadra 660AV and 840AV have no S-video port to supply power.[3]
| Computer | Cables | Video through | Camera power from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macintosh Quadra 660AV, Macintosh Quadra 840AV | B | Cable B | Separate 12 V adapter |
| Power Macintosh 6100AV, Power Macintosh 7100AV, Power Macintosh 8100AV | A | Cable A | Cable A |
| Power Macintosh 7500, Power Macintosh 7600 | B and C | Cable B | Cable C |
| Power Macintosh 8500, Power Macintosh 8600 | B and C | Cable B | Cable C |
| Power Macintosh 5400, Power Macintosh 5500, Power Macintosh 6400, 6500 (with the Video-In card) | B and C | Cable B | Cable C |
For the 660AV and 840AV Apple's note asks for a 12 V, 1.9 W adapter, and says a standard 12 V or "variable voltage" adapter from Radio Shack would do.[3] The VideoPhone Kit manual gives the DC input as a 5.5 mm connector and prints its polarity as a symbol beside it; check a replacement adapter against that symbol before connecting it.[8]
In the conferencing software select the built-in AV digitiser, the S-video input and NTSC. On a Power Macintosh 7100AV or 8100AV, conferencing runs better with the monitor on the AV card's port than on the built-in high-density port.[8]
Care
[edit | edit source]Keep the camera away from liquids and damp. To clean it, disconnect it from the computer, wipe the plastic lightly with a soft cloth dampened with water, and clean the lens only with tissue made for camera lenses.[8]
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Self View picture in black and white | Screen resolution above 832 × 624; the computer cannot redraw a colour Self View fast enough[9] | Set the monitor to 832 × 624 or lower |
| Self View in black and white on a Power Macintosh 7500 or 8500 | Video fed through the S-video port[3] | Use cable B to the RCA input and cable C for power |
| No picture in Self View | Self View window closed; camera in the wrong port; lens cover or aperture closed; not enough VRAM[1] | Open Self View from the Windows menu. Check the AV port. Open the lens cover and the aperture. Try a lower resolution or fewer colours; if that gives a picture, the computer needs more VRAM |
| Picture distorted | Wrong video format selected; on a 6100AV, 7100AV or 8100AV, display on the high-density port[1] | Choose NTSC in the video source settings. Move the display to the standard monitor port |
| Picture flickers | Lighting on 50 Hz mains[8] | Set the camera's switch to 50 Hz |
| Picture too dark or too bright | Lighting; a bright window behind the subject[8] | Adjust the iris knob; do not point the camera at a bright light source |
| Error after plugging or unplugging cables | Cables changed during a call or broadcast[1] | Do not plug or unplug the camera or audio cables while connected |
Documentation
[edit | edit source]- Apple QuickTime Conferencing Camera Documentation: the Video Conferencing Service Source, the VideoPhone Kit Installation Manual and the QuickTime Conferencing Kit data sheet.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Apple Computer, Video Conferencing Service Source (QuickTime Conferencing Kit and QuickTime Conferencing ISDN Kit), 44 pages, revised February 1996, hosted as File:Apple Video Conferencing Service Source.pdf. Basics: Requirements p. 2, QuickTime Conferencing Kit p. 3, ISDN Kit p. 4, QTC Camera 100 General Description p. 5, Connections p. 6; Specifications: camera pp. 1-7; Troubleshooting: video problems pp. 9-12, miscellaneous p. 13; Parts: camera 661-0977, integrated power/video cable 922-1521, RCA to RCA cable 922-2019, S-video to power cable 922-2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Apple Computer, Apple Facts, November 1996, "Apple QuickTime Products", https://vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9611_11.96_November_1996.pdf (retrieved 2026-10-02). Source for: the Apple VideoPhone Kit consisting of the QuickTime Conferencing extension, the QuickTime Conferencing Camera 100 and the Apple Media Conference application; the QuickTime Conferencing ISDN Kit.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Apple Computer, "QuickTime Conferencing Camera: Which Cables Do I Use?", Tech Info Library article 18775 (TA37176), in the archive.org collection Apple's Technical Information Library Articles, https://archive.org/details/APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES, file TA30000-TA39999. Source for: the three cables supplied with the camera (A, a combination cable from S-video to DC power and RCA; B, RCA to RCA; C, S-video to DC power); the camera's NTSC composite output; AV Power Macintosh computers other than the 7500 and 8500 accepting composite video through the S-video port; the S-video port supplying 12 V to the camera; the 7500 and 8500 needing cable B for video and cable C for power, and showing black and white if fed through the S-video port; the Quadra and Centris 660AV and 840AV needing cable B and a separate 12 V, 1.9 W adapter; the table of computers and cables; the Video-In card needed on the 5400, 5500, 6400 and 6500.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Apple Computer, QuickTime Conferencing Kit data sheet, August 1996, L01519B, hosted as File:Apple QuickTime Conferencing Kit Data Sheet 1996.pdf. Source for: kit contents and order number M4490LL/B; the QuickTime Conferencing ISDN Kit order numbers M4585LL/A (NuBus) and M4616LL/A (PCI); the camera's 320-line resolution, automatic focusing, manual focusing for extreme close-ups, tilt adjustment and built-in stand; NTSC, PAL and SECAM video input formats; the compatible computers; network requirements.
- ↑ Apple Computer, Apple VideoPhone Kit data sheet, December 1996, L01519C, archive.org item ads_VidPhone (retrieved 2026-10-02). Source for: order number M5673LL/A; the colour analogue video camera with cables; focus down to 3 inches; the compatible Power Macintosh models; built-in video input and output required.
- ↑ Apple Computer, "QuickTime Conferencing: Can't Upgrade to Apple VideoPhone", Tech Info Library article 20868 (TA36416), APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA30000-TA39999. Source for: Apple VideoPhone replacing Apple Media Conference as the conferencing application.
- ↑ Apple Computer, Apple Media Conference and QuickTime Conferencing data sheet, October 1995, L01663A, archive.org item ads_QTConf (retrieved 2026-10-02). Source for: the Apple QuickTime Conferencing Camera 100 included in the QuickTime Conferencing Kit (order number M4490); the ISDN Kit M4585LL/A.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 Apple Computer, Apple VideoPhone Kit Installation Manual, 1996, hosted as File:Apple VideoPhone Kit Installation Manual 1996.pdf. System requirements p. 2; care and cleaning p. 3; connecting the camera p. 3; positioning the camera, pan and tilt p. 4; software settings p. 5; power switch and lens cover p. 5; manual focus dial p. 6; iris adjustment knob p. 6; 50 Hz/60 Hz switch p. 7; monitor port and VRAM notes p. 7; camera technical information p. 17-18.
- ↑ Apple Computer, "QuickTime Conferencing: Reasons for B&W Self View Image", Tech Info Library article 18845 (TA34644), APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA30000-TA39999. Source for: black-and-white Self View at resolutions above 832 × 624; the cable reasons; the three cables.