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MacRumors just posted that a reader has found references to “iSight HD” in QuickTime system files.

For those who don’t know, the iSight, which is currently the branding of the camera integrated into all Macs with displays, used to be the name used for an external Firewire camera sold by Apple from 2003-2006. It was released to coincide with iChat AV, Apple’s next-generation video/audio chat application. In 2006, they stopped selling it, presumably because most Macs would have one built in, but seemingly overlooked the fact that if you bought a Mac Mini or Mac Pro, there was now no Apple option for a webcam. The Cinema Displays also do not contain an integrated iSight.

Back to QuickTime now, the reference, located in /System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeUSBVDCDigitizer.component
/Contents/Resources/English.iproj/Localizeable.strings, is part of a string’s files determining what to display depending on the type of attached camera. For instance, it tells the computer that when the model is “unknown/generic” to call it a “USB Video Device.” The string of interest says that if the type is a “Next generation USB iSight” then name it “iSight HD.” (All this can be seen in the image above.)

MacRumors says that while they cannot verify if the reference is new, they have not been able to find any related discussion on the internet.

It’s long past time Apple put out a standalone camera. With any luck, iSight HD will be in widescreen (I’ve wondered why they haven’t done this with the built in cameras, as the screens themselves are wide), HD (of course), and a whole lot cheaper and smaller than the original iSight.

What do you want in a new iSight if one comes out? Tell us below in the comments.