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User profile for user: newswedepat
newswedepat Author
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iSight

Where do I find the specs for the different Apple external iSight webcams? I have spent a few fruitless hours tonight. I am not ready to trade in my iMac G5, last model without built-in iSight, and I don't want to buy the wrong externam iSight on the secondary market. Any specific advice about where to obtain the specs OR the specific model I need would be most appreciated. Thanks!!

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11), LCD monitor

Posted on May 4, 2009 9:07 PM

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User profile for user: EZ Jim
EZ Jim
User level: Level 7
22,590 points

Posted on May 5, 2009 8:23 AM

Hello newswedepat

External iSights are all 640x480 webcams. For info on model variants, see:
  http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage10.html

Beware of buying any external iSight unless it is guaranteed or you can test it to be certain that it works before you buy. More info:

  http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6982643&#6982643

  http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9395250&#9395250


Because you use OS X 10.4.11, I think that the new "UVC" webcams are a better choice. These current "UVC" cams are widely available, offer warranties, and they will work on your 10.4.11 Mac without additional drivers. Just be sure any new webcam you buy meets the "UVC" standards so they work "as is" with your Mac's OS.


Another alternative, although not a webcam, is to use a camcorder that connects via Firewire (if you already have or are planning to buy one anyway). Just plug it in and try it.



You could also consider Firewire webcams. A couple that may still be available are:



   Fire-i http://www.firewire-1394.com/fire-i-webcam-unibrain.htm and

  iSweet http://www.welovemacs.com/isweet1.html

 

This old review gives you some opinions on the relative merits of a few different Firewire webcams:

  http://www.macworld.com/article/27783/2003/12/firewirewebcams.html







EZ Jim



G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.6) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)   iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight
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User profile for user: EZ Jim
EZ Jim
User level: Level 7
22,590 points

May 5, 2009 8:23 AM in response to newswedepat

Hello newswedepat

External iSights are all 640x480 webcams. For info on model variants, see:
  http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage10.html

Beware of buying any external iSight unless it is guaranteed or you can test it to be certain that it works before you buy. More info:

  http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6982643&#6982643

  http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9395250&#9395250


Because you use OS X 10.4.11, I think that the new "UVC" webcams are a better choice. These current "UVC" cams are widely available, offer warranties, and they will work on your 10.4.11 Mac without additional drivers. Just be sure any new webcam you buy meets the "UVC" standards so they work "as is" with your Mac's OS.


Another alternative, although not a webcam, is to use a camcorder that connects via Firewire (if you already have or are planning to buy one anyway). Just plug it in and try it.



You could also consider Firewire webcams. A couple that may still be available are:



   Fire-i http://www.firewire-1394.com/fire-i-webcam-unibrain.htm and

  iSweet http://www.welovemacs.com/isweet1.html

 

This old review gives you some opinions on the relative merits of a few different Firewire webcams:

  http://www.macworld.com/article/27783/2003/12/firewirewebcams.html







EZ Jim



G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.6) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)   iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight
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User profile for user: newswedepat
newswedepat Author
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May 5, 2009 9:11 AM in response to newswedepat

Many thanks to EZ Jim for a comprehensive answer. According to other info I found last night, external iSight model #8817LL/C Rev. C will not mount on an LCD screen monitor like I have on my G5----am not quite clear that if I buy a different mount that I could use that model. Also, the Logitech Quickcam Vision Pro for Mac cannot be used on my G5 because it requires a minimum 800MHz Mac and mine is only 600 MHz. I will investigate EZ Jim's suggestion about other webcams, but all of you out there, feel free to add to the info collection!!
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User profile for user: EZ Jim
EZ Jim
User level: Level 7
22,590 points

May 5, 2009 6:07 PM in response to newswedepat

You're welcome.

Some comments regarding your response:

... Rev. C will not mount on an LCD screen monitor ...
... am not quite clear that if I buy a different mount that I could use ...


See http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage9.html if you decide to buy an iSight.



Logitech ... cannot be used ... because it requires a minimum 800MHz Mac...


No. System Requirements for this webcam include: "800MHz or faster PowerPC G4 or G5 or Intel Core processor".

That means _800 MHz or faster for G4 Macs only_. *Any G5 or iNtel Mac will work*.

See http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS665VC/A?mco=NDkwODcyNA#overview



... mine is only 600 MHz.

 
Something is amiss here. Your system info shows that you are using iMac G5. However, there are no 600 MHz G5 iMacs.

As shown in Apple's specifications: http://support.apple.com/specs/#imac , the slowest G5 iMacs is 1 GHz. You can determine your actual processor info by using your Mac's > About This Macmenu command.

Notwithstanding my confusion, any G5 iMac using Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later can use the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro without iChatUSBCam or any other software additions.

However, if > About This Mac shows you that you have a 600 Mhz processor, you are probably correct that the webcam will not work with your Mac.




EZ Jim



G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.6) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)   iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight
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User profile for user: newswedepat
newswedepat Author
User level: Level 1
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May 6, 2009 6:29 AM in response to EZ Jim

EZ Jim----now it is so clear, including the mounting article you referred me to. I have to apologize to you, because my G5 is 1.8 MHz-----I was looking at the hardware sub-menu and the bus speed is the one which is 600 MHz--------MEA CULPA!!!!! It will be so much easier to get a Logitech with warranty, return possibilities, etc. than with an iSight from a secondary source. Your advice is so appreciated----grandson in Ireland will be happy, too, to be able to see his Nana!! Have a great day and continue the good work.
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User profile for user: EZ Jim
EZ Jim
User level: Level 7
22,590 points

Jul 16, 2009 8:31 AM in response to Kenneth Chen

Hello, Ken.

A1023 is the "Model" number engraved at the front of the iSight lens barrel of both my Rev C and my older Rev A external iSights.

M8817LL/A, M8817LL/B or M8817LL/C are Apple Part Numbers that show the specific version. As stated in

  http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage10.html

these are functionally equivalent, although earlier Revs are older and have different mounts.

More info on mounts here: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage9.html

I believe that the part number is more commonly used than the model number because it is more specific. The part number is not on the iSight camera itself but, rather, on the original iSight product box.



EZ Jim



G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.7) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)
iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)         External iSight
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iSight

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