We've started to use several QuickCam-based CCD cameras for the RHUL astronomy programme. I'll try to gather together some of the relevant info here.

We've had the most success with the Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000, which now (June 2002) costs around 80 pounds at PC World. It has 640 x 480 pixels and a proper CCD chip, which is more sensitive than a CMOS based sensor. The chip is 3 x 4 mm, which is twice the size of the CCD in the QuickCam VC.

The software that comes with the QuickCam was in fact reasonably good for astronomical purposes, but the "live" view is always confined to a small window. For displaying the view to groups we wanted a full-screen view, and we also wanted to be able to manipulate the data in a more flexible way. By splicing various bits of code (especially from here) I managed to cobble together a java program based on the Java Media Framework (JMF) that does this. (If it ever stabilizes I'll put it on the web.) In the process of writing this, I realized that the program JMStudio, which comes with JMF, does everything my program can except a bit better.

Googling for "QuickCam astronomy" gives over 2000 links. Here are some that I found useful:

The QuickCam and Unconventional Imaging Astronomy Group (QCUIAG).

Le site des WebCams Astro, AstroCam (French and English).

Useful info on the QuickCam Pro 3000 (with photos of the insides).

Geoff Chester's Adventure in QuickCam Astronomy illustrates the film-can-adapter technique.

Some QuickCam articles, including studies on QuickCam cooling.

Hanno Mueller's How to disassemble a b&w Quickcam (for an older model but shows the basic idea).

Antonio Cidadao's QuickCam Astrophotography Site.

Andreas Otte's Astrowebcam site (German).

Pedro Re's QuickCam astro images.

Steve Chamber's site on modifyig webcams to allow for long exposures (looks challenging).