MAC WEBCAM NEWS

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June 15th, 2010

HD WEBCAMS - NOT FOR MAC?

HD web cameras are all the rage -- IF you've got the CPU horsepower to drive one. High resolution HD video capture demands at least a Dual-Core Intel processor as far above 2Ghz as you can get. Otherwise HD web cams on slower Macs tend to give sluggish, slow, disappointing response.



So, what makes a webcam High-Def HD? It's a function of both marketing - and resolution. In many aspects any Mac compatible webcam that is 2MP - 2 megapixels or up is 'HD' - or capable of 720p - 720 pixels of vertical resolution. (In contrast 1.3MP webcams are 640x40 VGA quality, and as such, are somewhat less demanding of CPU resources.)

Look for webcam manufacturers to start marketing branding webcams for Mac as HD - and introducing new models with even higher 3MP to 5MPresolution sensors to get us all the way to 1080p true HD resolution. Note: it's impossible to transmit true HD video in videochat over typical home Cable and DSL transmission speeds. But for those who make webcam videos and for YouTube capture at very high quality, etc -- these HD webcams will deliver.

As for Mac OSX compatibility? Stay tuned: Logitech's new line of HD web cameras will be tested on the Mac soon -- It's still UNKNOWN which, if any, of thier new 1020p C910 - and 720p C510 C310 series cams will be UVC compliant and Mac compatible. And the sad reality is that most Mac video apps simply are NOT programmed to recognize or handle Wide-Screen 16:9 aspect ratio of these new HD webcams from Logitech.

July 14th, 2009

ADULT XXX VIDEO WEBCAM CHAT MAC OPTIONS:

Let's talk about sex, webcams, adult sexual behavior, Gay video chat and Straight video conferencing on Macintosh, shall we? Cuz it's a HUGE part of what drives the webcam market. In fact, connecting on-cam and the need for human sexual expression probably drove a majority of web camera sales in the early days. Webcam voyeurs, webcam exhibitionists are just an extension of the 'naughty' phone-call even married couples might exchange with each other. It's safe, it's normal, it's human, it's expressive - and it's very popular!



For Adult fun, there's several good choices in Macintosh chat apps. ISPQ VideoChat for Apple or Windows is a top pick because its well-written, has a built-in COMMUNITY to browse online profiles & member pics, text message with still images and audio clips - then optionally video chat 1:1 or multi-party. ISPQ ("Eye Speak") offers both 'Nice' Social as well as Frisky Adult chat rooms you can browse. Give the free 21-day trial a test drive. FYI: For those using Boot Camp, VMware or Parallels: Mac users on Intel might try ISPQ's long-lost Windows-Only cousin: iCUii ("I See You Too") is a VERY popular and busy place.

Alot like ISPQ crossed with MSN Messenger, try CamFrog for a video trip to exotic or erotic US or International destinations. Look for 18+ Rooms. Cam Frog ofers a free 'Lite' version that's highly usable with an option to upgrade to a more full-featured, multi-party enabled version. For Mac OS X or Windows PC.

Skype's huge popularity keeps growing. It works cross platform well and best of all it's FREE. For Adult xxx needs, it's best for DIRECT 1:1 connections to people you already know - whether it's lovers, partners, or those you meet elsewhere on the internet. Remember, only the 2.7x version of Mac Skype for OS X supports Video functions - so get current at the Skype website and upload your address book contacts to get started.

iChat is ubiquitously preinstalled on every Mac. Great video quality and features - including multi-party, Everybody-Loves-A-3-Way support on high-end setups, but LACKS a built-in community. You're on your own to find and build a Pal/Buddy list from friends @aol.com and @mac.com accounts. Get a free AOL ScreenName to get started. Looking for new Adult iChat Pals to grow your list? For Straight and general "Upscale Social & Professional Networking" as they call it, try www.iChatFinder.com - Horny Gay Boyz should check out www.iChatters.com for finding adult video iChat pals from the Gay, Lesbian & Alternative GLBT communities.

April 22nd, 2009

CONVERT APPLE ISIGHT FIREWIRE 400 TO 800

iSight owners may find this handy when they get a new Mac only having Fire-Wire 800 ports:
Adapter Plug For Webcams, Drives, DV Camcorders

6-pin 1394 Firewire 400 to 9-pin Firewire 800 can preserve your iSight web cam investment

December 20th, 2008

MSN MESSENGER MAC : CROSS-PLATFORM WEBCAM - VIDEO CHAT SUPPORT DUE IN 2009

Long overdue, leading up to MacWorld Expo - Microsoft is talking up MSN Messenger and an upcoming beta to FINALLY allow Mac and PC video webcam chat between Mac and PC users. Currently only 'Corporate' accounts have supported this in the Apple version of Messenger for Mac v7, but in 2009 we'll see that rolled out to Mac users with personal @hotmail and @msn accounts. It's nice to have _official_ news of web camera support coming to Messenger, in the meantime aMSN and Mercury Messenger are so-so 3rd party alternatives to try.

December 8th, 2008

AIR CAM : REMOTE iPHONE-iPOD TOUCH SURVEILLANCE WEBCAM APP FROM SENSTIC

An interesting new iPhone - iPod Touch app available at the iTunes app store is the Senstic AIR CAM live video remote webcam monitoring iPhone app. Combined with your Home or Office Wi-Fi network - and available for both Windows PCs and Mac - uses any known UVC compatible webcams for Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard - Windows XP or Vista. AIRCAM lets you view live video feeds from your computer's built-in or external webcam directly on your iPhone/iPod Touch using your home Wi-Fi networks. Need a pet, security or baby monitor? With an External or built-in iSight webcam in the area - you can remotely check up on your baby or pets with your iPhone/iPod Touch without stepping into the room. You can even turn Air Cam into a low-cost, affordable Mac-based home security surveillance system. Simply point your webcam to the location you want to monitor, and receive the live video feed on your iPhone/iPod Touch.



December 3rd, 2008

CHEAP DRIVERLESS UVC LOWEST-COST MAC WEBCAMS

"You get what you pay for" applies to the flood of the dirt-cheapest import USB video class web cameras you can buy from China which often cost more to ship than the budget Macintosh compatible webcam is worth. Feeling lucky cheapskate? Don't care about warranty or returning it? Then explore these maybe, ought-to, should, might probably work on an Apple Mac OS X webcamera options:


December 1st, 2008

WEBCAMS FOR MAC PRO, MAC MINI, G4-G5 iMac, TOWERS

Built-In iSight webcams and used, aftermarket FireWire iSight Video Conferencing Webcam with Autofocus only address PART of the Apple web cam market's needs. The newest Apple 24-Inch LED Cinema Display with built-in iSight helps. Webcams aren't ubiquitous on the Mac platform yet. There's still millions of Legacy Macintoshes like USB 2.0 enabled iMacs needing video conferencing and chat web camera options. Expect at MacWorld Expo 2009 Apple is likely to introduce a new round of multi-core Pro Towers and a revised Mac mini Core 2 Duo . (The mini sans FireWire port like the new Aluminum MacBook probably) and any number of UVC based, USB 2.0 Mac compatible webcams will fit the bill nicely. Especially since Apple's revised USB chipset in the new MacBook/Pro line is proving to be far faster than earlier implementations - and with CPU speed bumps - expect somewhat improved frame-rates from existing webcams. The latest crop of 2MP and 3 MegaPixel webcams demand alot of CPU horsepower, and benefit from increased processor speeds new Mac models bring as well.

November 14th, 2008

ECAM PICO IMAGE WEBCAM PRICE CUT $49 HELPS

Ecamm.com recently reduced the price of what was once the FIRST and only readily available USB pico Image USB 2 UVC Webcam for Mac and Windows that really just worked. However, with many more options these days, this webcam needed this lower price tag. It has NO Microphone - and the soft, grainy image it produces may be 'good enough' for some video conferencing users, but there's other value cams at a lower price that are better Macintosh choices with far sharper images. However, Ecamm does make some great utilities for Apple webcams worth taking a look at.

October 9th, 2008

MAC VISION PRO PRICE CUT TO $99

Logitech's top-of-the-line Apple Macintosh compatible webcam - the UVC Compliant Quick Cam Vision Pro experienced a price drop of $20 literally overnight at AMAZON.COM - bringing the Street-Price under $100 with Free shipping. Do note Amazon pricing can fluctuate from day to day - depending on competition from it's own "Also available from these sellers..." Regardless of price: this is absolutely the best webcam I've ever tested: It's frame-rates, light-management and hardware autofocus is superb. Before you decide to buy a cheap Mac compatible webcam - consider the long-term value of the fantastic image quality Logtech delivers.

September 19th, 2008

TRENDS IN THE APPLE WEBCAM MARKET

The preceeding blog entries focused on State Of The Art advancements in UVC webcam telchologies: Ever higher resolutions, Harware-based auto-focus and advanced light adaptability and color response. At the opposite end of the spectrum we're seeing low-cost driverless import cheap webcams adopting the USB Video Class standard and flooding the low-end market. For users of Apple's Mac OS X, this simply means far more choices in Mac compatible webcams at ever-lower price points, with corresponding tradeoffs in quality. Both ends of the spectrum have their place. But as I continue to evaluate various cams there is an absolute distinction: In the $30 or less range, ALL the cams tested have been very dissapointing in one aspect or another. In the $75+ range, ALL have performed well. It's the in-between range where choosing 'the best' web camera is most difficult; with perhaps lower-quality webcam optics, but with better quality CCD or CMOS sensors with good response. And it's in this middling tier that webcam design, usability, versatility, mount design and aesthetics make choosing a webcam challenging.

August 26th, 2008

HARDWARE-BASED AUTO-FOCUS WEBCAM FROM HP
3 MEGAPIXEL RESOLUTION & GREAT LIGHT SENSITIVITY

Here's a quick review of the Hewlett-Packard Elite 3MP High-Def Web Camera - Macintosh users now have another top-quality UVC compliant USB 2.0 webcam option - with features that rival Logitech's Vision Pro for Mac. It too implements light management and auto-focus completely in hardware. No software drivers needed for Mac, PCs or Linux. And the Elite's adaptability to low-light situations really is impressive! This has the best light response of any webcam tested to date. Frankly, autofocus functions really aren't that important to most users. A hassle-free fixed focus web camera performs well and is all most users need, though some may like to futz with a focus ring that some webcams have. But these are all secondary to clarity and light-sensitivty, and the HP Elite performs well at both of these. For serious video capture - and with the right programs that can take advantage of it: HP's 3 Megapixel sensor is the highest-resolution webcamera to date. But keep in mind: 1. This cam needs a VERY FAST MAC to achieve high frame rates at high resolution. 2. NO video-chat program is capable of sending that high of resolution image over a DSL or Cable modem anyways. So temper your expectations.

July 20th, 2008

GOODBYE APPLE ISIGHT, HELLO VISION PRO!
REVIEW LOGITECH'S NEW WEBCAM FOR MAC

The new Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac is one of the best webcams to come along in years - and many Apple OS X users will be glad they bought one. Absolutely driverless install on OS X Tiger and Leopard, fantastic Carl Ziess glass lens, microphone, and most importantly: HARDWARE-based autofocus and light metering make this a worthy successor to the discontinued Apple iSight FireWire cam. Until now, Mac users buying a Logitech autofocus cam model found that while in other aspects the cam worked great, the autofocus part just didn't work - and that's because no drivers for Mac were ever written. By implementing focus and object sensing completely in hardware, the Vision Pro for Mac breaks new ground.

Altho it takes a second or two to focus (and that's normal for ANY autofocus mechanism) the Vision Pro does so admirably and automatically. Whether you need or want auto-focus is another matter. It'd best suited for when, say, you want to show somebody some-THING on cam and need to have it zero-in on a close-up. At other times though, if you're highly animated and talk with your hands (or whatever) in a video chat - This cam, like any DV camcorder can struggle to keep up with rapid, gross movements. And that's not the camera's fault. So for some just sitting in front of their computer for a video chat - a fixed or adjustable focus cam may serve just as well.

While there's still many good technical reasons to buy a DV capable webcam or camcorder and capture video via Fire-Wire - this Quick Cam Vision Pro will exceed many consumer's needs superbly - in spite of a few USB 2.0 related limitations and quirks. THANK YOU LOGITECH! They really do engineer some superbly designed products - and this Vision Pro for Mac is head and shoulders above the majority of webcams out there. Now, implement UVC compatibility and hardware-based functions in ALL of your other QuickCam chat cams will ya?

July 6th, 2008

SOME EXCEPTIONAL OS X WEBCAM UTILIITIES:

Because video chat - often with audio - is so demanding of System harware resources, it's important that webcam utilities aren't buggy, crash unexpectedly, and perform well. Some don't. This section will feature some of the more stable, reliable, and useful webcam utilities for OSX that can help you get the most out of your built-in iSight or external web camera. Particularly when you want high-definition HD capture and still-screen shots, often special utilities are needed for very high resolution 2 and 3 MP megapixel webcams to even take advantage of the hi-res sensor in the webcam.

Apple's Downloads Site maintains an absolulte Killer List of Dang Near Every Video-Webcam App For OS X that you can find in ONE place! Check out page after page of video grab, capture, compress, fix, upload apps and utilities that can unleash the fun and power in your webcam.