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Damnit. I was planning to get one and now they're $300? Apple better roll out the next version soon. This sucks.

I have one you can buy.

anton55x55 wrote:

Something tells me that they aren't planning for a "next version". I'm pretty sure that if they were, it would have been out right when they ended the previous version. On the other hand, I'm getting a Mac Pro, and I'm going to need an iSight, but even if they decide to build it into their displays, it's still bad. Not everyone can afford a new Apple Display just for the built in iSight... So let's just wait and hope that they release a new version, although it doesn't seem likely.

What if they build it into their monitors like this?  That might make it it pretty lucrative to want an Apple monitor with the web cam built in.  It might also explain why there is no new iSight.

Do third party webcams not work with iChat AV and whatever else people use iSight's for?

tF

tomfoolery wrote:

Do third party webcams not work with iChat AV and whatever else people use iSight's for?

tF

iChat will work with a 3rd party DV cam.

PC guys think that USB 2.0 webcams are just as good as Firewire because they sat the throughput is faster. Please tell me why they are wrong.
Also, if iChat AV is going to be a huge selling point for Leopard, what camera does Apple think people are going to use with it if they can't buy an iSight and don't have a built-in iSight? Is this just poor timing for Apple to discontinue the iSight without an immediate replacement?

knobtwirler wrote:

Also, if iChat AV is going to be a huge selling point for Leopard, what camera does Apple think people are going to use with it if they can't buy an iSight and don't have a built-in iSight? Is this just poor timing for Apple to discontinue the iSight without an immediate replacement?

I told you, its going to be that camera in the monitor thing..... 

You've got to do the "look into the camera" thing to keep the sight lines right.  Becomes second nature in short order.

Otherwise, I just keep working while talking.  Since I rarely look at the person I am talking with it is no problemo.

Dunkin' wrote:

You've got to do the "look into the camera" thing to keep the sight lines right.  Becomes second nature in short order.

Otherwise, I just keep working while talking.  Since I rarely look at the person I am talking with it is no problemo.

Which is why I can't wait for that new patented camera-inside-the-screen technology. Especially if it is ( I wish) available as an upgrade for existing lcds (DIY or Genius Bar).

Last edited by anton55x55 (2007-01-28 12:34 pm)

I don't mind the idea of a cheap used old camcorder, but, a) they're huge, b) you need a stand or tripod to get placement and angle right, c) they need external or battery power. I would even buy a new Mini DV camera for $300, but I can't easily find one with firewire. They all seem to be USB.

knobtwirler wrote:

PC guys think that USB 2.0 webcams are just as good as Firewire because they sat the throughput is faster. Please tell me why they are wrong.
Also, if iChat AV is going to be a huge selling point for Leopard, what camera does Apple think people are going to use with it if they can't buy an iSight and don't have a built-in iSight? Is this just poor timing for Apple to discontinue the iSight without an immediate replacement?

It wasn't really a matter of Firewire vs. USB when it came to the iSight (though Firewire is the technically superior product), more the better quality CCD Apple used in their camera.  Your average Logitech cam has terrible image quality, the fact that it's also USB is just a coincidence.

I would love an iSight, but still don't see myself as being the type who has a frequent need to video conference.

Czachorski wrote:

anton55x55 wrote:

lieven wrote:

What's wrong with just connecting your camcorder?

Not all of us have camcorders . And I'd rather spend an extra $80-$150 on a webcam to get with my new mac, than spend $500+ for a decent camcorder.

It doesn't have to be a "decent" camcorder of $500.  I bet that any digital camcorder with firewire on ebay for $150 would give similar quality as an isight.

You have to be careful of this since even if a camcorder has Firewire that does not mean that it can work with iChat. I have a Sony camcorder that works just fine in this manner but my sister has a Panasonic and while it has Firewire for sending info from the tape to her Mac the webcam abilities of the camcorder are routed through a USB port. So it does not work. I haven't had a chance to try that third party plugin with it yet but the Firewire port will not send anything to iChat.

Later, Frank