Apple to Release an 'iSight HD'?

MacRumors · 07:27 PM

One reader has found references to an unreleased High Definition USB iSight in Apple's QuickTime system files. The line is specifically labeled "Next Generation USB iSight" in QuickTime's localizable.strings and also carries a reference of 'iSight HD'. We're not sure how old this reference is, but a quick Google search shows no previous discussion of it. Still, it remains possible that this could be an old reference to a project that is no longer planned.

The iSight was an external Firewire webcam that Apple sold between 2003 and 2006. Apple stopped selling the stand-alone iSight in December of 2006. Apple has since integrated iSight cameras into their laptops and iMac, but their external displays remain camera-less.

Article Link

rockos · Jun 15, 2008, 06:40 PM

nice...

how sweet would that be to have a new isight with new displays for mac pros.

or even higher res in macbook, air , pro and imac

airjuggernaut · 10:55 PM

Cam girls in HD, here I come!

kissmyaxe · Jun 15, 2008, 06:43 PM

Now this, I would LOVE to see!

...literally, haha.

ventro · Jun 15, 2008, 06:45 PM

I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.

lilstewart · Jun 15, 2008, 06:48 PM

This has been there since atleast September 10th, 2007 and 10.4.10.

http://techslaves.org/index.php?PHPS...pmod;dl=item16

I installed this exact file onto my system previously because I actually deleted it by accident when I was installing a plugin for Quicktime.

Here's a screenshot.

techlover828 · Jun 15, 2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ventro

I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.

all to go along with new acds

BiikeMike · Jun 15, 2008, 06:50 PM

seriously, who FINDS this stuff?!

techlover828 · Jun 15, 2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiikeMike

seriously, who FINDS this stuff?!

I know really, it took me 3 minutes just to go through all the subfolders to get to it.

zephead · Jun 15, 2008, 06:51 PM

It's about time. The 640x480 resolution on the current iSights is pathetic.

razorianfly · 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ventro

I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.

It's plausible, but why would Apple go back rather than forward? As the article states Apple discontinued the line of standalone USB iSight cameras in 2006, and seeing as though this would be the only logical way they could bring iSight to PC, I just can't see it.

However Apple just loves building eco-systems and interconnectivity between it's products. We can see this with iPod, Mac and iTunes ...
so the iChat integration you are depicting could happen.

R-Fly

GGJstudios · Jun 15, 2008, 06:53 PM

I'd love to see an updated 30" ACD with a built-in iSight HD!

Padaung · Jun 15, 2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorianfly

It's plausible, but why would Apple go back rather than forward? As the article states Apple discontinued the line of standalone USB iSight cameras in 2006, and seeing as though this would be the only logical way they could bring iSight to PC, I just can't see it.

However Apple just loves building eco-systems and interconnectivity between it's products. We can see this with iPod, Mac and iTunes ...
so the iChat integration you are depicting could happen.

R-Fly

I would love it if they could get iChat to work easily beween Macs first before theyconsider expanding the service to the iPhone and Windows...

techlover828 · Jun 15, 2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggjstudios

I'd love to see an updated 30" ACD with a built-in iSight HD!

that would be nice, but it seems as if this string is referencing usb.

El Carbonite · Jun 15, 2008, 07:03 PM

All of the built-in iSights appear as "USB Class Video" or something similar in other applications since they use a USB connection.

Chundles · Jun 15, 2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zephead

It's about time. The 640x480 resolution on the current iSights is pathetic.

The iSight in most Macs now has a higher resolution than that, iChat caps it to 640x480 for video chat. If you select it as a source in iMovie you can see the full res.

mrrydogg · 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zephead

It's about time. The 640x480 resolution on the current iSights is pathetic.

I would say thats a little overkill. That is pretty much the standard right now.

Oh and the built in iSights have a max resolution of 1280x1024.

rckstwrz · Jun 15, 2008, 07:15 PM

maybe if they dropped an HD iSight into their cinema displays, they'd actually be worth their cost.

SimonTheSoundMa · Jun 15, 2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chundles

The iSight in most Macs now has a higher resolution than that, iChat caps it to 640x480 for video chat. If you select it as a source in iMovie you can see the full res.

Current iSights are 1280x1024. For clarity on the matter.

Chundles · Jun 15, 2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonTheSoundMa

Current iSights are 1440×900. For clarity on the matter.

There we go - all sorted.

Cheers mate.

D4F · Jun 15, 2008, 07:21 PM

I have the iSight and I really like it. Everybody I video chat with loves the quality.
I still wonder why they discontinued them.

mrrydogg · Jun 15, 2008, 07:21 PM

I'd be happy with an update to ACD. This was "rumored" a long time ago and then fizzled out. The ACD are still gorgeous, but a built-in camera and some higher res options would be sick.

Alas, as the previous poster stated, this reference has been around for over a year......no rumor here.

swingerofbirch · Jun 15, 2008, 07:26 PM

Since Apple stopped selling iSight, they have recommended the Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision which has a resolution of 960 x 720. It's the only web-cam that Apple sells in its online store.

I believe the sensors in Apple's newer Macs are close to that resolution.

Regarding the USB references, the current built-in iSight cameras use an internal USB 2 connection.

As I recall, the EU forced Apple to take iSight off the market because of heavy lead concentrations. I'm not sure if this is why they took it out of all markets. Anyone know?

Edit: Forgot to make my point. Based on the fact that the internal iSights are USB 2 and that the newer ones probably could be said to have "HD" resolution (whether or not they use that resolution), the references may be to already existing built-in iSights.

Westsider 4 Mac · Jun 15, 2008, 07:29 PM

an independent isightHD camera...

meagain · Jun 15, 2008, 07:34 PM

As long as it has a 'soft-focus' (like for ageing movie stars) - I'll be fine with it.

Jun 15, 2008, 06:37 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple to Release an 'iSight HD'? One reader has found references to an unreleased High Definition USB iSight in Apple's QuickTime system files. The line is specifically labeled "Next Generation USB iSight" in QuickTime's localizable.strings and also carries a reference of 'iSight HD'. We're not sure how old this reference is, but a quick Google search shows no previous discussion of it. Still, it remains possible that this could be an old reference to a project that is no longer planned. The iSight was an external Firewire webcam that Apple sold between 2003 and 2006. Apple stopped selling the stand-alone iSight in December of 2006. Apple has since integrated iSight cameras into their laptops and iMac, but their external displays remain camera-less. Article Link Last edited by WildCowboy : Jun 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM. Reason: minor typo fix

Jun 15, 2008, 06:41 PM	#3
airjuggernaut macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2007	Cam girls in HD, here I come! __________________ 15" Unibody MacBook Pro 20" Alu iMac iPod Touch 16gb Last edited by airjuggernaut : Jun 15, 2008 at 10:55 PM.

Jun 15, 2008, 06:48 PM	#6
lilstewart macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois	This has been there since atleast September 10th, 2007 and 10.4.10. http://techslaves.org/index.php?PHPS...pmod;dl=item16 I installed this exact file onto my system previously because I actually deleted it by accident when I was installing a plugin for Quicktime. Here's a screenshot. Attached Thumbnails __________________ macbookpro 17" unibody antiglare Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? St. Gerard Majella

Jun 15, 2008, 06:50 PM	#8
BiikeMike macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2005	seriously, who FINDS this stuff?! __________________ Mac Pro 2.66, x1900, 5GB RAM; 30" ACD; MBP CD 2.16, 2GB RAM; MB CD 512MB RAM; PowerMac G3, 704MB RAM; 30GB 5.5G iPod, 16GB iPod Touch; 8,2GB nano

Jun 15, 2008, 06:51 PM	#10
zephead macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SoCalifornia	It's about time. The 640x480 resolution on the current iSights is pathetic. __________________ California sunlight, Sweet Calcutta rain, Honolulu starbright, The Song Remains the Same.... MacBook CD 2GHz/250/2/10.6.1/white~iPhone 3G/16/3.1.2

Jun 15, 2008, 06:40 PM	#2
rockos macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007	nice... how sweet would that be to have a new isight with new displays for mac pros. or even higher res in macbook, air , pro and imac

Jun 15, 2008, 06:43 PM	#4
kissmyaxe macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2006	Now this, I would LOVE to see! ...literally, haha.

Jun 15, 2008, 06:45 PM	#5
ventro macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006	I predict a iSight HD (Mac + PC) rollout next June to coincide with the new iPhone with video chat. Also iChat for Windows. That way both Windows PCs and Macs can video call each other as well as call iPhones, and iPhones can call both Macs and PCs with the service installed.

Jun 15, 2008, 06:53 PM	#12
GGJstudios macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas!	I'd love to see an updated 30" ACD with a built-in iSight HD! __________________ ǝlƃooᴚШ ɥʇıʍ ɥɔɹɐǝs sɹǝʇsod ʇɹɐɯS

Jun 15, 2008, 07:03 PM	#15
El Carbonite macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2006	All of the built-in iSights appear as "USB Class Video" or something similar in other applications since they use a USB connection.

Jun 15, 2008, 07:15 PM	#18
rckstwrz macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2005	maybe if they dropped an HD iSight into their cinema displays, they'd actually be worth their cost.

Jun 15, 2008, 07:21 PM	#21
D4F macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Planet Earth	I have the iSight and I really like it. Everybody I video chat with loves the quality. I still wonder why they discontinued them. __________________ 13" Macbook Pro

Jun 15, 2008, 07:21 PM	#22
mrrydogg macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2007	I'd be happy with an update to ACD. This was "rumored" a long time ago and then fizzled out. The ACD are still gorgeous, but a built-in camera and some higher res options would be sick. Alas, as the previous poster stated, this reference has been around for over a year......no rumor here. __________________ 2.2GHz MacBook Mac Pro Desktop w/30 inch CD 16GB 3G iPhone 8GB iPhone 3rd Gen iPod Nano 2nd Gen iPod Mini

Jun 15, 2008, 07:26 PM	#23
swingerofbirch macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Amalgamated States of Central North America	Since Apple stopped selling iSight, they have recommended the Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision which has a resolution of 960 x 720. It's the only web-cam that Apple sells in its online store. I believe the sensors in Apple's newer Macs are close to that resolution. Regarding the USB references, the current built-in iSight cameras use an internal USB 2 connection. As I recall, the EU forced Apple to take iSight off the market because of heavy lead concentrations. I'm not sure if this is why they took it out of all markets. Anyone know? Edit: Forgot to make my point. Based on the fact that the internal iSights are USB 2 and that the newer ones probably could be said to have "HD" resolution (whether or not they use that resolution), the references may be to already existing built-in iSights. __________________ Blog of Failure After using a PC all day, coming home to my Mac is like a tall, cold glass of peach iced tea.

Jun 15, 2008, 07:29 PM	#24
Westsider 4 Mac macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: On the West Side	I would love to have... an independent isightHD camera... __________________ Westsider4Mac 17 inch MBP 2.16 17 inch PBG4 1.67 15 inch MBP 2.4 Penryn 15 inch MBP 2.16 and many, many more...

Jun 15, 2008, 07:34 PM	#25
meagain macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2006	As long as it has a 'soft-focus' (like for ageing movie stars) - I'll be fine with it. __________________ 27" Quad i7 iMac, 24" 2.16ghz 2.5gb White, 32gb 3GS iPhone, 1st gen Air

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