Best way to video chat while I'm military-deployed?

Question

I'm deploying soon for 7 months, but I'm going to an area where I'll have constant connectivity. I'd like to be able to video chat with my wife while I'm gone.
My MBP (coming with me), of course has an iSight built into it.
My wife has an iMac PowerPC G5 running Tiger. Unfortunately, she has the hardware version from just before when they modified it to include an iSight.
What's the best way to get her hooked up for video chat? I don't mind upgrading her to Leopard if necessary (and yes, her hardware can handle it), and I don't mind paying a REASONABLE amount of money for a webcam she can use. But buying a new computer is not an option, and unfortunately I know nothing about external cameras -- or if they can even be used with iChat.
Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated ASAP. I leave soon, and would like to get her hooked up before I go.
dt

Answer 1

You're welcome, Dan.
dantrimble wrote:
... if I'm reading the system requirements correctly, we could only use a USB webcam if she's running Tiger 10.4.9 or Leopard; otherwise it must be Firewire, right?
Not so. 
First: the "10.4.9 or later" includes Snow Leopard (10.6.x), too, but the requirement is for a specific subset of USB webcams that comply with UVC standards. Not all USB webcams are UVC webcams, although most currently-produced major brands are UVC.
Check the packaging, documentation, or technical specifications to be sure any USB webcam you buy offers UVC support. If you are buying a new USB webcam, I strongly suggest you buy the current (UVC) standards for maximum compatibility for future applications.
Second: you could use certain USB webcams (perhaps you already have one?) with this add-on software
  http://www.ecamm.com/mac/iusbcam/configs.html
plus any required additional driver software. Known USB camera compatibility is shown in that link.
However, neither the iUSBCam add-on software, which only helps iChat and does not work with Snow Leopard, nor the additional webcam drivers are unnecessary if you use 10.4.9 or later with a UVC webcam.
My suggestion: if you need to buy a camera for your G5 iMac, get a new UVC webcam that is compatible with your system and offers a manufacturers warranty.
I'm thinking it's time to upgrade her to Leopard anyway...I haven't done it anyway because I find it ludicrous and annoying that I have to pay full freight $129 to get her a Leopard upgrade when you can buy Snow Leopard for $29 (which, unfortunately, won't run on a G5 PPC, of course). At any rate, we can use a USB camera only if she has 10.4.9 or Leopard.
Upgrade if you like, but you can update your iMac to the latest Tiger version (10.4.11) for free with the following process:
Use your iMac's Disk Utility to repair permissions.  Then download and apply the 10.4.11 COMBO update:
  http://support.apple.com/kb/DL170
Repair permissions IMMEDIATELY again after the restart that finishes the installation.
Your new UVC webcam will work for all Apple (and many other) video apps using 10.4.11 as installed with the above Combo Update process. No other software addition would be required for iChat video.
Unfortunately, we'll probably be stuck at the low/Good quality since she has the older PowerPC processor, but it's better than nothing. At least until later this year when we get a new MacBook for her.
My *G4* PowerBook runs Tiger (10.4.11), and it handles video chat just fine. It is a fast G4, but your wife's G5 iMac will have NO shortage of power so long as she is not concurrently running multiple other applications and the iMac is not experiencing problems with other apps. All that is required is that it meet the system requirements for the app in use, such as iChat's which I linked earlier.
Lastly, Apple has Apple ever sold an external iSight?
Yes. I have two of them.
... I can't find one on their store, but if they used to sell it, I'd be willing to dig deeper to find an Apple camera to use for her.
I would not.
External iSight is a great camera, but they are getting old as electronics go, and you have no idea how the one you buy now has been used or treated by its previous owner(s).
I suggest that you buy locally and test any external iSight you are considering on your iMac before you pay for it. That way you know whether it will work, and a local seller may be able to answer questions, if any, about connecting and using iSight before you buy. If you need help with how to make sure an external iSight works, see "How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional."
Even if the external iSight you are considering is advertised as an NOS (new, old-stock) iSight, it is not likely covered by Apple Warranty. If the seller does not provide you written service guarantees or warranty, you may be want to check Apple's iSight Service: Frequently Asked Questions, especially if you cannot test the iSight before you buy to be sure it is working.
Moreover, if you buy an external iSight now, verify whether all connectors, cables, and iSight mounts that you need are included. If some items you need are missing but you still want to buy the iSight, this info may be of interest. (Note that Apple no longer offers the "iSight Accessory Kit, Part Number: M9314G/B" that is mentioned there.)
If you needs parts from the discontinued Kit or some part those listed in the iSight Service: Frequently Asked Questions page and cannot locate them in your area, the kind people at http://www.synaptech.com will help users obtain those that are still available.
If you consider buying an untested external iSight via an on-line auction or other internet seller, I strongly suggest that you (try to) get a written guarantee that you can have the iSight examined by your Apple Authorized Service Provider and can have a refund or exchange if the iSight doesn't pass his checks.
Once again, my sincerest thanks.
Dan
If you have other questions, Dan, Defcom (one of the three who taught me to video chat) and I will be happy to try to respond to your specifics.
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.2)  MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.2)
LED Cinema Display  G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)  iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight