New FCS with iChat Theatre support

I tested it with an inexpensive USB Logitech web cam and it worked pretty well.

Some latency in the video, but it was a 3000 mile iChat Theatre.

Allan McIntyre wrote:
Not sure how to do this since the existing Apple LCDs do not have isight ...

Until Apple makes the product you would like to have, you can choose which cam to use with iChat.

Apple Stores sell this one: http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS665VC/A?mco=NDkwODcyNA

However, other "UVC" cams will also work on any Mac that is running OS X 10.4.9 or later with no additional drivers or other software required. 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 a camcorder anyway). Just plug it in and try it with iChat to determine with certainty whether it has the compatibility you want.  Compared to dedicated webcams, a compatible Firewire camcorder's higher quality images may be worth its generally less convenient and clumsier connections.



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

Be aware that some webcams, particularly lower cost or older models, may not have integrated microphones, auto exposure, auto focus, or other features that might be important to you. To avoid disappointment, determine you requirements and carefully check the features of any webcam you consider buying.

EDIT ADDED
By the way, in my testing with apps other than FC, (images/videos from iPhoto, QT, and Preview,) iChat Theatre image quality at the other end is FAR below that seen versus sending the original file to your contact. As an FCP user, I expect you demand high-quality video. Again in my experience, iChat Theatre can work as a quick preview, but it is NOT useable for sharing or collaborating on critical video or images.  As seen in this search, I am not the only one who has noticed this.
END EDIT


EZ Jim


Message was edited by: 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

So how is it, David? Good, bad, indifferent? Does the client have any timeline control?

It was decent.

And no, it was just a feed.