Hi Guyz,
I need a webcam for my powerbook G4. The question i want to ask is:
Do i have to use Apple's iSight(bloody expensive) or can i use any other webacm and if yes can u suggest any perticular webcam.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

amzy

You can just about use any USB or FireWire webcam, I cannot however direct you to one, but someone on here can probably help !

Although Apple's iSight cameras are expensive compared to some USB models, they are pretty hard to beat for quality and features. I have no regrets at all about spending the extra money to get one.

I've only ever tried one - an intel one, and it didn't work.

I like the Logitech Quickcam Orbit

luke_in_tas is right

If your not in a hurry hang off until WWDC to see if new isights appear

Until I got my PB I never had a webcam - and didn't think I'd use it.
Once I got my PB though and saw iChat - I knew I wanted one.

I did my homework, and sure there is a huge market out there...
but now I have my PB I'm very fussy about what I attach to it...

iSight has good features, good build quality, oh yeah and it looks great!
Most of the webcams I saw didn't look good - especially as I wanted it to look good like my PB.

I'd also like to add some support for the iSight as it leaves the other webcams for dead in terms of quality. The reasons?

It works flawlessly with everything Apple (iSight, QTime, etc...),
It records in stereo sound,
It has a much, much better lens element than other webcams, and
It uses a Firewire connection.

The latter is important because USB connected webcams (software) compress the video feed prior to sending which explains why they usually offer washed out pictures that invariably suffer from painfully noticeable lags. If you are looking at a webcam, 'you get what you pay for' couldn't be more true. Hold out to WWDC if need be and go from there - you won't be disappointed.

since some msn clients are starting to implement video chat i'm now starting to think about getting an isight, it all seemed a bit pointless before when i only really had one or two aim contacts. just as soon as adium gets video chat i think i'll be sold.

isights should get an update or a price drop sometime sooner or later right?

Not necessarily. Have a look at rumour sites like ThinkSecret or AppleInsider to see if there is any news. If not, and if nothing is announced at WWDC, then don't expect anything for a while.

Yea if Adium got video support that would be great. But until then I have no need for a webcam.

What about the iSweet?

http://www.harmonicinversion.com/cs/index.html

Not sure if you can get them locally though.

Regards,
Shane.

hey guys, do all webcams work with mac? my logitech webcam express doesnt seem to function with iChat..

just wondering if theres a way to set it up or anything.

thanks!

gene

gene no not all webcams work with the OS X they need a device driver to work (lots of drivers are included for various devices in OS X). If you know what model your Logitech webcam is there maybe a driver on Logitechs website. Alternatively I believe there was a third party shareware usb webcam driver floating around but I don't remember what its called.