The iSight Saga
Written by PaulDear Apple. Where is our webcam?
Yes, Apple does now have built in webcams on many models,
however, several models have been left behind. Abandoned.
With Apple discarding the iSight camera, the Mac Pro and Mac Mini
have been left behind without a replacement by Apple.
What is Apple’s strategy here? To get customers to buy other models?
Who cares? I do! I have a Mac Mini and would like to buy another, but can not
understand why Apple would stop production of the one camera they make,
without making a new replacement. Well Apple, where is it?
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April 2nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Wow, I didn’t even know the iSight was no longer being manufactured by Apple. Wikipedia says they stopped making them December 16, 2006. I must be really out of it. Although, I have a built-in iSight in my MacBook, so I never thought to purchase one. I spoke with one of my Apple guys and he told me they stopped manufacturing them for “environmental concerns”. I should probably just Google it. I was also told Apple suggests people purchase an external webcam from ecamm.com and to make sure it’s Firewire. Not sure that’s helpful, but regardless, it’s a shame they discontinued the iSight.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Yes, notice how Apple passes the buck to another vendor, rather then supporting their own customers.
Pretty sad. Come on Apple, show some customer support here, after all, we pay top dollar for your products.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Haha! I felt the same way about the Newton.
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Macs without built-in iSights, at least those running 10.4.9 or better, have access to more webcams than you think. Any USB webcam labeled as Microsoft Windows Vista-compatible or UVC (USB Video Class) will work with OS X. I installed a Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 on my kids’ PowerMac G5 Dual so I could talk to them when I’m away from the house. This cam has a built-in microphone, Zeiss optics, USB 2.0, 2-megapixel image sensor, auto-focus, etc. Works with iChat, Yahoo Messenger, Skype. Found one at Amazon with a rebate, too. HTH
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:24 am
I like flea markets. I dumpster dive and am proud to say so. One mans garbage can truly be another man’s ghetto iSight.
While rummaging around in a pile of some strangers clutter, I happened upon an older Sharp MiniDV cam. Apparently, their
child decided that there’s no place better for a half-eaten PB & Honey sandwich than the miniDV tape drive compartment.
Obviously these are doting parents because I could see the crust was neatly cut from top end of the PB/Honey/toddler slobber
lump so thoroughly jammed and hardened inside the cassette loader.
“FIVE BUCKS! Comes with carrying case. MAY need some repair!” shouted Poppa bear as he sat on his weathered ice chest.
I smiled and responded, “MAY need repair?” He shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head toawrds baby bear, who was in the process
of blowing into a tube that appeared attached to some sort of enema bag circa 1962. I laughed and said, “ya gotta love ‘em! I’ll give you a buck
and you keep the case.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out what amounted to 84 cents and 3 Chuck E. Cheese game tokens. It was a deal!
I dug out the now petrified mess just enough to close the compartment. I plugged in a firewire cable into my wife’s Mac mini and then the
dvcam, switched it to camera mode and BAM! Ghetto isight! For the cost of a blue iced 7-11 donut and 3 rounds of Virtua Fighter 3 at Chuck E. Cheese
I am Good To Go!!
Too bad it works so well….
Now I have to think, Who on Earth wants to look at MY Ugly mug??
I always thought I resembled former wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin. Guess what? I was wrong!
Be good to each other!
Regards,
[Uncle Fester]
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
So far as I’m aware ANY camera that conforms to the UVC spec should work natively without need for an extra driver on Leopard (Or late versions of Tiger).
Video chats require an iSight camera (built-in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera, or FireWire DV camcorder.
From apple.com/macosx/techspecs/
There are a few compliant cameras available, the logitech with the glass Zeiss would probably work well.