Hello fed up w/win
The following applies specifically to your questions about using iChat AV with Panther (Mac OS X 10.3.x).
(1) iChat AV 2.1 is part of Panther. Depending upon which version of Panther is on your "Install" disk, you may need the
iChat AV 2.1 Updater. (This link is to the Updater ONLY -- iChat AV must have already been installed from your Panther disks to use this updater.)
(2) If you have enabled Panther's automatic
Software Update... checking for updates, Panther will tell you if you need to perform the iChat AV 2.1 update. If you have disabled automatic software update checking, you can manually check whether the update has been installed. (
Click here if you need help on how to do this or if you have difficulty finding the subject via a search of your Mac's
Finder > Help > Mac Help.)
(3) The
System Requirements for iChat AV 2.1 will tell you that iChat AV 2.1 requires "iSight or any FireWire based camera".
(4) For other camera choices, see
iSight versus DV Camcorder or other web-cam. This page was written before Apple quit selling external iSight, but you may be interested in the options about using a USB webcam with
iChatUSBCam or a Firewire-equipped DV camcorder as an iSight alternative. If you opt for a USB cam, check iChatUSBCam's "
camera guide" page for compatibility info.
(5) If you might eventually want to use any video-capable application other than iChat AV, check the system requirements for
those other applications you might want to use with your webcam for possibly
different system requirements that might influence your decision on which camera you choose.
(6) If you are looking for specifically for
Firewire alternatives to external iSight, take a look at
Unibrain,
iSweet,
iBOT, or others that claim compatibility with Mac OS X 10.3.x and system requirements of
the apps you want to use with your webcam.
(7) In addition to the system requirements for
all the apps you plan to use, also carefully check the specifications of any cameras that you are considering. Unlike external iSight (and many of the higher-priced USB cams), at least some of these Firewire alternatives do not have built-in microphones, so, if you eventually need to use your camera with another Mac that has no built-in mic, you will need a separate one.
(8) As searching iSight Discussions will show, Tiger (OS X 10.4.10) users have other alternatives, but the above should let you get video chatting nicely with your Panther equipped G5 iMac.
EZ
Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight
