Installation of Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 on iBook G4 (MAC OS X 10.3.9)

Hi, this is a relatively good webcam but on a Mac, some of the features will not function without software. First of all, the software for this cam is written for PC only, but the camera will operate pretty well without it.

You will need to upgrade to OS X 10.4.9 or higher, or download and install "ichatUSBCam" at this link... http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12294

10.4.9 and 10.4.10 will recognize the cam natively.

All the cool features like snapshots, auto-focus, face tracking, etc... will not be available without the PC only software. I contacted Logitech about the auto-focus not working and they told me that the Pro 9000 has internal hardware that requires software control.

I have found the focus to not be a problem as almost everything is in focus anyway.
This cam is very sharp, very high resolution and auto-exposure and color balance seem to work great.

Hope this helps,

Pete

Pete,

I am considering getting the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. I have an eMac PowerPC G4 (1.25 GHz). I have heard that it is necessary to upgrade to OS X 10.4.9 or higher to use it. I am interested in using my webcam with Skype. Did your message mean to imply that if I install "ichatUSBcam" I would NOT need to upgrade my OS? And if that is the case, is that only to use the webcam with iChat, or would downloading "ichatUSBcam" allow me to use the webcam great with Skype as well?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Adam

Dear Pete,
I'm a PC person trying to help my father adjust the video on the Logitech Pro 9000 I just sent him for his Powerbook G4. The video is blurry, tracking poor, and the color is off. It's not the fantastic resolution that I have on the same webcam. He can see me fine. I can't figure out what's wrong, why the camera's resolution isn't right, and how it can be fixed. I am unfamiliar with how Mac works. Can you help me? We were able to get the video working, but on my PC there is a Logitech Tools function. Is there some sort of similar function for Mac? Also, you mention that it should look good just by plugging in, but it doesn't.
Thanks for your help. If you could please email me the answer on my regular email, I would appreciate it enormously - eisenberg@earthlink.net
Many thanks, Elyse

It should work in iChat and Skype without installing any drivers. So you won't need iChatUSBCam.

Duane,

Once again, so I'm clear: when you say it should work in iChat without installing any drivers, do you mean ONLY if I have 10.4.9 or higher? What I'm wondering is whether I can use this camera without having to change my OS from 10.3.9?

Also, does anyone have any opinions on which camera would work better (less glitches, better video quality) on my Mac as described below--the Logitech 9000 or an Ecamm iMage (which gets mixed reviews but at least is designed specifically to work with Macs?

It is unclear whether you need OS 10.4.3 or OS 10.4.9 but it looks like it won't automatically work with OS 10.3.9.

...on my Mac as described below...

You should include your OS version and amount of RAM in that information.

Thanks, Duane. So it won't work automatically without 10.4. something, but would it still work with 10.3.9 if I download "ichatUSBCam"?

The reason I'm asking is I'm not sure if I can lay out the $ at the moment for Leopard (and the recommended additional memory) and from what I have seen about system requirements I might have problems using DVD Player or other features on Leopard with my older Mac.

...but would it still work with 10.3.9 if I download "ichatUSBCam"?

Yes it looks that way.

Here's my investigation on the whole webcam thing. The pro 9000 does work with ichat and it seems to auto focus. Checkout my blog post on the whole issue; lots of info. JonL
http://jonsmac-arts-optimizations.blogspot.com/