IChat on older Mac without built in camera

Hey now -
My Mom has an older iMac (G5 White) that does not have the built in camera. She recently saw my niece and I using iChat and thought it was pretty cool. I think she would like to be able to talk to the Grandkids via iChat. I see that Amazon has some USB add on cameras in the $25 - $100 range. I'm thinking about buying her a camera for her Mac so she can start using iChat. I have two questions I'm hoping someone can help me with -
1) Can someone recommend good USB add on camera for use with a G5 iMac and iChat - in the $25 to $75 range? Is that $25 Macally on Amazon any good?
2) I know the G5 Mac is running Mac OS X Leopard - would iChat be installed on her computer even if there wasn't a camera attached to the machine at the time of the OS upgrade? If not, can it be loaded from the Leopard disc?
Your help / advice will be greatly appreciated!

Hi,
Cameras fall into 5 main categories now.
1) Firewire like the External iSight (not available for Apple and expensive on Amazon/ebay)
2) USB 1.1 cameras that do not have Mac Drivers
3) USB 1.1 Cameras that do have Mac Drivers
4) USB 2.0 cameras that are Vista Certified (Or USB Video Class (UVC) Compliant)
That do not need drivers with OS 1.4.9 and above (They will not work in USB 1.1 as they have no Mac Drivers)
5) USB 2.0 cameras that are not UVC compliant.
Re 1) there are not many on the market now.
re 3) Most of these also need the iUSBCam Utility to change the Video feed from the camera into something iChat can work with. However on this site there is a camera Guide on the right hand side of that link that list cameras that will work and links to Drivers that will work with the Mac OS
10:44 PM Monday; December 15, 2008

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Unibrain's "Fire-i" FW video cam for Macs without built-in iSight

I now have a MacBook and an Intel Core Duo iMac with built-in iSight, but my wife has a G5 iMac, and has no video for using either iChat or Skype to visit with far-flung relatives.
I just received delivery of a Unibrain "Fire-i" Firewire Digital Camera from L.A. Computer Company (http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type= sku&sku=25036). US$99 + US$8.70 S&H. (OOPS! One more thing: the regular price is USD$119. I forgot that I got a $20 discount through the DealMac website which I visit almost daily -- the DealMac site gives the discount code "firedc" that might still work).
It was a snap to install (literally: just snap in the included FW cable to the camera and to a handy FW receptacle, in my case, an open one on an external drive enclosure). That's all! It was instantly recognized (and iChat was automatically opened) by both iChat and Skype. The lens ring has a focusing capability that is not mentioned in the packaging, and the image was initially fuzzy and out of focus, but a little "nudging" counterclockwise on the ring immediately cured that. The video, at least what one sees on Skype and iChat, is just about as good as iSight, except that, unlike iSight, there is no microphone, so you need to add your own (my wife uses a USB headset with earphones and microphone, anyway).
These sites do not support images, but if you look at the above web site, you can visualize that if you collapse the legs of the included miniature tripod so that they all lie in a plane, and adjust the camera's position, you can stick it on the top of the monitor with Velcro fastener tape, adhering to the black support on the tripod and to the top of the monitor. Then, there is a little lever that allows you to unlock the mount in order to tweak the aiming of the camera and then re-lock it. All-in-all, this took about five minutes.
Highly recommended.
--Steve

Hi, Rod. No, I did not notice any effect on other FW externals. But, I had it pluffed into an external HD that was powered by an external power brick, so, presumably, it was adding its own juice to the FW connection, including the camera. But, the iSight external was also a FW plug-in, so I don't think that this would be any worse. The camera is featherweight, so I cannot imagine any heavy current draw.

How to start in TDM or transfer data from an older Mac without FireWire??

For the MacBooks that don't have FireWire, how do you transfer data from another Mac since you can't start in Target Disk Mode?
Similarly, with a FireWire Mac, if I need to do some disk repair, I can start in TDM and run Disk Utility's Repair Disk or rebuild the directory with Disk Warrior. What do you do with these non-FireWire Macs?
(What is Apple thinking by removing FireWire???)
Chris

For the MacBooks that don't have FireWire, how do you transfer data from another Mac since you can't start in Target Disk Mode?
I would still use Firewire.
The hard drive is fairly easy to remove on the Macbook. I would remove it and install it in an external Firewire enclosure temporarily to transfer your files quickly and reliably, then put the drive back in the Macbook.
You 'can' use USB or Ethernet, but it's not as reliable as Firewire.
Firewire is "isochronous", basically meaning that you can pump "clocked" data though it in real time. USB works more like TCPIP, with the data chopped up into packets and later reassembled. (Thus, at a minimum, you have latency, that is, the wait for the data to be "put back together".) Second, the Firewire protocol allows more direct address to memory (including mass storage) with minimal intervention of the CPU.
Putting the drive in a external Firewire enclosure is a bit more work, but nothing will interfere with it. No collisions, no glitches. Firewire is rock-solid.

How do I use the built-in camera or webcam?

I know this may sound very elementary but there was no documentation with my Mac when I bought it new (except a thin flimsy pamphlet with very baic stuff in it) and the help menu comes up with nothing at all when I search for web cam, webcam or isight.
Where do I go to learn about how to use the built-in camera/web cam as a camera and also as a web cam?
Thank you

VortexBoy wrote: ... I know this may sound very elementary but there was no documentation with my Mac when I bought it new (except a thin flimsy pamphlet with very baic stuff in it)...
There should have been a seventy page booklet in the box with your new iMac. If yours is the latest version, clicking here will download it if you cannot find the physical copy. If yours is an older iMac model, you can search for the correct manual from the iNtel iMac Support Page > "Manuals" link.
After that, Mac 101 is a great web-based information source. If you don't need general help, take a look here for specifics about each application of interest.
VortexBoy wrote: ... and the help menu comes up with nothing at all when I search for web cam, webcam or isight....
If your posted info is correct that you are running Mac OS X (10.7.3), you should be able to get started by using your Mac's Finder > Help menu command. Searching for "camera" (without quotation marks) on my 10.7.3 Mac returns Mac's Help article entitled "Use your Mac’s built-in camera." This is the web version of the same help.
Other apps, like QuickTime Player (the Lion QT 10.x version), and iMovie (part of iLife that came with your Mac) can also use your iMac's camera.
iMovie Help or this web page version of the same help will explain how to "Record video directly into iMovie".
Use QTX Player's File > New Movie Recording menu command to record video with it. You can configure size and quality of the recorded material by using QTX's preferences as shown in this image:
VortexBoy wrote: ... Where do I go to learn about how to use the built-in camera/web cam as a camera and also as a web cam? ...
Different apps do not all work the same. For function-specific help, search Help in separate camera applications; i.e., after you launch Photo Booth, iChat, QTX, iChat, etc., use the individual app's Help menu command to search for more info on the camera or what you want to do.
This article offers great basic tips about how to position, light, and use built-in cameras. Although its subject shows it was written for iMacs, it is equally applicable to other reader's inbuilt Apple cameras, too.
For more specialized functions than those offered by the camera software already included with your Mac, you can search the Mac App Store for other apps that can use your camera.
For webcam help with iChat, use Apple's iChat Support page if you need more help that that provided in the dialog boxes and iChat > Help on your Mac.
To use your camera with FaceTime, search your Mac's FaceTime > Help or these web versions of the same Help topics that should be available on your Mac.
Skype or other third party webcam apps will offer their own Help menus of varying quality. In additon to these app Help services, some apps offer comprehensive Support services via their web page. If you decide to add Skype to your Mac, you can click here to review the excellent Skype Support pages.
If you need to start a new topic for specific questions after you get started, give as much detail about what you want to do and what you may have already tried unsuccessfully. We will offer specific suggestions based on the details you provide.
Enjoy your new Mac!
EZ Jim
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.7.3

Why is my built-in camera choppy?

Hello,
I am using a 13' Macbook Pro (Mid 2010) with OS X 10.7.5 and I am having trouble with my built in camera. Whenever I bring up a program such as Photobooth, Quicktime, Face Time, and iMovie and attempt to record a video I notice that my camera is very choppy. Before I even begin to record my video I notice that my movements are very blocky like frames are being skipped. I thought it was just during the capture process but when I played the video back it was still very choppy. Can anyone help me?
Anything will be much appreciated!
Jeremy

(Over time, Apple has changed the built-in camera's name on newer Macs from "iSight" to "FaceTime" and then to "FaceTime HD." Regardless of the name of your Mac's built-in camera, the same troubleshooting and comments apply.)
bwhit22 wrote: ...anything else that might help?
Disconnect all USB devices, restart MacBook, and test again in bright light with only one app running at a time.
iSight's video "stutters" in low light when I turn it on
Use good lighting for the best iSight picture
FaceTime Camera: "Your camera is in use by another application" message
iChat AV: Intermittent video or audio issues with a wireless network
If your built-in camera's problem remains ONLY with connected camera apps, you may have bandwidth problems with your modem, router, wireless access point, or internet service.
If the jerkiness remains even with non-connected apps like Photo Bootth, your MacBook may have low performace issues. Check for possibility of one or more conditions described in OS X Lion: If your Mac runs slowly
If all else fails, backup your MacBook and contact Apple or your Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.4

Video iPods, USB2, Firewire and older macs - a different approach

I've been trolling the discussion boards here because I find myself with the same problem many others have noted here: I just bought a family member a Video iPod (5G) for Christmas, I realize they no longer support firewire, only USB2 and I only own an older eMac that has firewire but NOT USB2 and no PCI slots for USB2 cards. I await Christmas with dread when, after opening their gift, they'll want to put content on their new 5G iPod and we'll sit around all day while that happens.
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My different approach is that what is needed is a bridge connector or hub that will bridge a USB2 cable to a firewire port.
There are a number of combo hubs but these are just 2 hubs in one with each bus (USB2 and firewire) having it's own separate connection back to the host computer. And if you connect the USB cacle back to a host with USB1, System Profiler will tell you rthat your USB2 ports areoperating at "Up to 12 Mb/sec"
Even the Universal Dock will will not get USB2 speeds out of a mac with USB1 ports. It clearly states, :...allows you to connect your iPod with the cable that came with it."
I've done a lot of searching and the closest I've come up with is this:
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/pixela-pixuvcdu1w-firewire-to-usb-20-bridge-cabl e-016285.php
but that goes the wrong way. Plus it's expensive ($80 - $90).
It's designed to connect a firewire equiped DV camcorder to a PC that only has USB2 ports.
To me this sounds like an opportunity for some of the 3rd party vendors playing in the Apple world (Griffin Technology, Belkin, XtremeMac etc) to fill what is obviously a a major need here. Reading these forums there seem to be many many people that have older Macs without USB2 and 5G iPods.
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Someone please help us.
Bob Jakuc

Thank you for your response. I mention this in my original post. In fact, I bought one of these thinking it might solve my problem. It doesn't. In effect the D-Link DFB-H7 is 2 hubs in one enclosure. To use the firewire ports you have to attach the D-Link to your computer via a firewire cable. To use the USB2 ports, you have to attach the D-Link to your computer via a USB cable. You can't have a single, unified host connection AND use all the ports on the D-Link. The USB ports on the D-Link aren't even active if you don't connect to your computer via USB.
I'm upset for two reasons: 1) the D-Link hub advertising isn't explicit about the need to have separate hub to host connections for each bus you want to use and 2) since my eMac only has USB 1.1 ports, the USB2 ports in the D-Link are 'stepped down' to USB 1.1 speeds (12 Mbps).
I'm also frustrated because I'd add a USB2 cardbus card to my eMac but it looks like the slot over the CD-ROM drive is only for Airport/Airport Extreme cards.
Does anyone have any info on that? Is the slot over the CD-ROM drive in a 1 GHz eMac a general purpose cardbus/PCMCIA type II slot or is it just for Airport cards?
Maybe I'll ask over on the discussions for the eMac.
Thanks again.
Bob
Powerbook G4 (Titanium) Mac OS X (10.4.3) eMac 1GHz

HT1338 built in camera has stopped working, how can I update or reinstall the drivers

Built in camera has stopped working, how can I reinstall the respective drivers?

Here are my best suggestions for your camera problem, Stephen:
• If you have not already done so, shut down Mac, restart,
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• Try ALL relevant suggestions from Apple's Troubleshooting
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(Apple has changed the built-in camera's name on newer Macs from "iSight" to "FaceTime" and then to "FaceTime HD." Regardless of the name of your Mac's built-in camera, the same info and troubleshooting applies.)
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• Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions and then
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• Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart
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• If nothing else resolves your problem, yours is likely a hardware issue.
   Unless you have a current backup, make one now.
Then use the final "Troubleshooting" suggestion:
"... contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service."
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.3

Okay I use iPhoto 6 on an older mac and don't want to upgrade past 10.4.11. Can I upgrade iPhoto without the newer operating system? For the life of me I can't get iPhoto to recognize my camera reliably - although it does sometimes. Any advice, help?

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Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 processor
iMovie ’08 requires a Mac computer with an Intel processor, a Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0 GHz or faster), or an iMac G5 (1.9 GHz or faster)
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OT

Jolly Giant gave good advice re. ITunes and unable to download the latest version on my older Mac Mini. I downloaded ITunes 9.2 as he suggested but came to a standstill at the place where we "agree" w Couldn't open without Iwork (don't have) Help!

Jolly Giant gave good advice re. ITunes and unable to download the latest version on my older Mac Mini. I downloaded ITunes 9.2 as he suggested but came to a standstill at the place where we "agree" with terms. Couldn't open this without Iwork which I don't have. Help! Carolyn

Hello, no way you should need iWork to "Agree"!?
Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions.
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Repair Permissions afterwords, reboot.

HT2515 My ichat says "computer does not support video chat" when i have a built in camera. what can i do?

My ichat says "computer does not support video chat" when i have a built in camera. what can i do?

Hi,
In iChat open the Connection Doctor (Video menu) and the the Capabilities option
Are all items showing Green ?
Try restarting iChat (It re-reads the computers Ability at each launch)
If that does not work try restarting the Computer.
Make sure that in iChat menu > Preference > Video Section the Bandwidth Limit is not set to 100kbps (this is too Low for 1-1 video chats)
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"Real World" speeds need at least 256kbps both up and down.
Check the System Profiler is "seeing" the camera.
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Hello,
I am thinking about purchasing a new Mac Mini for my son and am looking a getting a non-Apple monitor with a built in camera. Specifically a Dell monitor. I am wondering if iChat will recognize and work with the camera in a Dell monitor. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks,
pat

Hi,
There are post about Dells that don't work in this fashion.
5:06 PM Saturday; April 19, 2008

Is there any way I can view / remove pictures from Camera Roll on the iPhone, on a Mac, without actually importing the files?

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For instance I have 1200 photos on my iPhone Camera Roll. Some of these are shots, that I've taken multiple times, some good, some bad. I just want to clean up my Camera Roll, but going through the pictures on the iPhone's small screen is tedious. I'd much rather look at the camera roll's photo's on my Mac, and then decide which files I'd like to keep, and which to delete.
I don't want to import the files, as when I import the files, and delete them from Camera Roll, now the Photo's are not on my phone, and the only way to get them back on my Phone is to Import them back in using iTunes, and then they go into the Picture Library and not the Camera Roll.
In the same way as I can view Pics from my digital camera's SD card on a Mac without having to actually copy them to my computer, is there any app out there that will let me view my iPhone pics without importing them.

gsharp01 wrote:
Is there any way I can view / remove pictures from Camera Roll on the iPhone, on a Mac, without actually importing the files? I just want to view / delete files without importing them.
The short answer is yes.
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Open Image Capture application.
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Select the photos them click the No Entry icon at bottom to delete.

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It helps with this kind of question to state which system version you are using on the computer as the answer will vary.
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Message was edited by: Limnos

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See bottom right of page for iMovie HD download.

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Does the iOS device connect to other networks? If yes that tend to indicate a problem with your network.
Does the iOS device see the network?
Any error messages?
Do other devices now connect?
Did the iOS device connect before?
Try the following to rule out a software problem:
- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Power off and then back on your router
.- Reset network settings: Settings>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings
- iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
- Wi-Fi: Unable to connect to an 802.11n Wi-Fi network
- iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: How to back up
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If still problem and it does not connect to any networks make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store since it appears you have a hardware problem.
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IChat on older Mac without built in camera

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