Webcam for Macbook Pro and voice

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Level 1

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Webcam for Macbook Pro and voice

Has anyone tried the Gear Head 1.3mp for mac webcam? It apparently doesn't need other drivers and looks like it clamps onto the screen. Only review I found by googling says it doesn't work with Photobooth. I read in these discussions that Logitech's Quickcam for Notebooks Pro and the 9000 are great but then read another review saying they're a real pain that they don't fit the Macbook's screen. Guess could use the 12" stand. Was thinking of the Creative Live Cam Notebook Pro as well. It's all so confusing. This needs other drivers, that don't. Also voice is not supported in Yahoo for Mac. At least not the version in Canada. Is there an older version still around?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 26, 2008 9:47 PM

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Answer 1

markott Author

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Jan 26, 2008 10:15 PM in response to markott

I can partially answer a part. I was able to find and download version 2.5.3 of Yahoo Messenger for Mac OS X. I swear I thought it had voice, it doesn't so back to the most recent build for OS X. Still I'd like help on the choice of webcam for the Macbook Pro and if there's a Yahoo Messenger version with webcam and voice I'd like to know where to download it. Again thank you!

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Answer 2

uklb

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Jan 28, 2008 6:16 PM in response to markott

I just purchased this model and am working on setting it up on my G5. It seems to work fine with OS X-Leopard and iChat and Skype recognizes it too. My only confusion come with the headset. Anyone have any info regarding the headset and how to set up the microphone?

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Answer 3

iMacReg

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Jan 28, 2008 6:18 PM in response to markott

About the Gear Head 1.3MP Webcam For Mac...

I run a iMac G4 1.25GHz 17inch LCD screen with OSX Tiger 10.4.11

The Gear Head claims to be plug and play. There is no software that comes with it. I tried it with every programs I had and it didn't work at all. I tried it with iChatAV, Photobooth, iMovie, Skype, *Freak Show* (similar to Photobooth) and even a small application called *Video Viewer* made to test your webcam and it failed at everyone of them.

I even tried the popular Macam driver even though it is not suppose to need a driver but still nothing. The Gear Head is a USB webcam and I made sure my USB ports were functioning and even checked the USB version of my machine to make sure it was USB 2.0. I even tried the Gear Head through my USB hub just so I can say I tried everything but nothing worked.

I even went on Gear Head's website and they don't even advertise this model. No support at all! I wrote to them but only got an email 7 days later just telling me it's being researched and to tell me to go check their website. What a joke.

Stay away from this product. The one I have which works with everything (except Photobooth but you can use Freak Show instead) is the *TX6 TalkCam from V-Gear*.

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Answer 4

uklb

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Jan 30, 2008 11:25 AM in response to iMacReg

Thanks for your input regarding the Gear Head Webcam. I managed to get Skype to pick it up as well as iChat using OS X, but after fooling around still no audio. So, back to the store it goes I guess. I am beyond frustrated trying to find a webcam that works properly. This should be easier than it is...

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Answer 5

markott Author

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Jan 31, 2008 4:19 AM in response to uklb

So we're back to square one finding a webcam that fits a Macbook, works with Messenger programs like Yahoo, Skype, IChat, Photobooth and has the audio that works in them if they support audio. Again for me in Canada the Rogers Internet version of Yahoo for Mac does not support audio. It's not part of the program at all but like the regular Yahoo for Mac it does have the chat and webcam supported chat rooms. I continue to read people have trouble with the audio on the Logitech webcams as well.

Anyone have experience with the Creative Live Cam Notebook Pro? That one I read you need Macadam as well. It has a head that twists around. It seems a good possibility for the laptop to get the image lower than your neck. That's the problem I have with the isight in the Macbook. The angle is so bad even trying lower desks you mostly get barely neck up. You can get lower by lowering screen but then forget about seeing what you type or the other person if cam to cam.

It shouldn't be this hard to find a proper webcam for a Mac desktop or Notebook. This is one compatiblility Windows vs Mac issue that may tick a person off enough to go back to the dark side and switch back to a PC. Any help is of course appreciated.

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Answer 6

drglenh

Level 1

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Jan 31, 2008 7:04 PM in response to markott

I've got the same problem. Using the built in webcam for macbookpro. says webcam in use by another application, and I try every possible solution. Is there a driver update or something? The problem started, I think, after I used quicktime pro and a USB digital video camara to record video. please help.
thanks

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Answer 7

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Feb 1, 2008 9:16 AM in response to drglenh

Hello drglenh

If you have really tried every possible solution, see your Apple-Authorized Service Provider for a hardware fix.

Have you tried every relevant suggestion in How to Troubleshoot iSight?

iSight drivers are in all Combo Updates, including Tiger's latest for your MacBook Pro:
Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo Update (Intel)
Repair permissions before AND immediately after running the updater.

QuickTime Pro works great for me. If you think QT may be a problem, reinstalling the latest QuickTime might help. I suggest permissions repair before and after.

EZ

Jim

PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.1) External iSight

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