Mac-compatible webcams

On Jan 16, 2007, at 8:11 AM, p.young wrote:

> So can anyone offer advice on a good Mac-compatible webcam
> available in the UK?

I'd suggest that you check out iChatUSBCam from Ecamm Network.

<http://www.ecamm.com/mac/ichatusbcam/>

It's basically a driver that supports a whole bunch of USB webcams
that are otherwise PC-only. They have a long list of support cameras.
Then check reviews on your favorite tech review site (or Amazon) and
find one that works for you.

You could also check eBay for an iSight. International shipping can
be a little pricey, but with the advent of integrated cameras on
Macs, a number of people are liquidating their old cameras.

--Nik

My first thought was to get some sort of 3rd party driver to connect
any digital camera with video capability to your computer as a
webcam. I've seen lots of discussion of this sort of thing on windows-
centric sites, and I'm pretty sure something is available for Mac OS
X. But there are also devices like the iMage USB Webcam from Ecamm,
reviewed here: <http://www.macobserver.com/review/2007/01/08.1.shtml>.

Jeffrey

At 7:11 AM -0800 1/16/07, p.young wrote:
>I have been looking around for a good, Mac-compatible webcam to
>attach to my computers (Dual 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5 and Powerbook G4)
>that do not have integrated iSight. This is not so easy in the UK.
>For one thing, the EU rules prevent Apple selling iSight and the
>Apple store is remarkably unhelpful in this regard. If you search
>for iSight, you are directed to the Griffin Sightlight - not much
>good if you cannot now buy an iSight (except second hand on eBay
>etc.). Based on this experience, one could gets the impression that
>Apple has forgotten that there are an awful lot of the Mac-faithful
>who do not have pre-integrated iSight and need advice on webcams.

For what it's worth, Apple has discontinued the iSight in the US and
they are no longer available at any of the usual suspect retailers.

On 16/01/2007, at 16:11, p.young wrote:

> I have been looking around for a good, Mac-compatible webcam to
> attach to my computers (Dual 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5 and Powerbook G4)
> that do not have integrated iSight.

I would recommend Unibrain's Fire-I and, although I don't know if it
is available in the UK, if you can find it in Spain I am sure you
will be able to find it in the UK.
I have one older model and I really like it. It is FireWire, so it's
fast and good quality, but look at the specs by yourself:

<tp://www.unibrain.com/Products/VisionImg/Fire_i_DC.htm>

I also have an external i-Sight and an integrated one in my latest
MacBook Pro. The i-Sight is great for autofocus and it's pretty, but
the Fire-I has a FireWire passthrough that allows me to have other
peripherals. Judge by yourself and see if it fits your needs.

Cheers from Spain,
Victor Bottacco victorskios.es

> So can anyone offer advice on a good Mac-compatible webcam
> available in the UK?

http://www.ioxperts.com/ have a driver that supports a range of
firewire & USB cameras.

http://www.ioxperts.com/devices/supportedvideo.html has the list.

        f

Take a look at iChatUSBCam. Their web site has a list of compatible cameras.

<http://www.ecamm.com/mac/ichatusbcam/>

Many hanks to all those who have given me advice on Mac-compatible webcams. I am most grateful