Logitech and Skype used a seasoned card magician this morning to show a roomful of reporters what they're calling "high-quality video." Here, that's defined as VGA resolution (640x480) at up to 30 fps. The setup will require three components: First, a new Logitech High Quality webcam with new drivers. Current choices are the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 ($99.99), the QuickCam Pro for Notebooks ($99.99), and the QuickCam Orbit/Sphere AF ($129.99). These use glass, Zeiss-branded lenses, and specially tuned firmware; next, the new Skype client software, version 3.6, currently in beta; and finally, a dual-core Intel-based PC—no Macs need apply yet, though the Logitech spokeswoman did say that the Mac was a terrific platform.

The picture did look pretty impressive, despite distractions from the magician Jonathan Blair's cooing pigeon and a Scientific American reporter's persistent sniffles. I do have to wonder how often regular Skypers will experience the magical moments of achieving this video quality, with everyone running the right hardware and software and everyone's broadband connection behaving well.

Also, I've heard from other Web video vendors that laptops with built-in webcams are a big impetus to the growing popularity of videocalling. But Logitech's Gina Clark, Vice President and General Manager Internet Communications North America, said no, it's the increase in broadband access that's the real driver. When asked whether this technology will become available in laptops, she answered that there's not enough room in the laptop bezel to use glass lenses and autofocus. I dunno--laptops with built-in VGA cameras already are available, including Mac iSight ones. And for most laptop screens, I can't imaging a glass lens making a noticeable difference.

The event featured case studies of a young girl using Skype to attend school virtually and a drippy-nosed infant being watched on his mother's PC screen. Real feel-good stuff like that makes Skype and Logitech employees thrilled to go to work every morning. A couple statistics we were given: 25% of Skype called use video, and 65% of interpersonal communication is nonverbal.

When asked whether the Skype platform had changed at all to accommodate the higher video quality, which will require more and faster throughput, a Skype's Don Albert, General Manager and Vice President Skype North America, stated that it was the same underlying platform with all its Supernode issues; only the client software is different. New video codecs will help deliver the better picture at faster frame rates, but latency and other networks are sure to prevent all your Skype video calls from looking just like your friend or loved one is on TV.