Q: iSight functionality
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Jan 16, 2015 1:48 PMby EZ Jim,neilfrommd wrote: I have an old G4 Mac Mini (OS X 10.4) and the iSight camera that worked with it. Can it still talk to anything? ...
Yes. It can "talk to things" that work on compatible networks. In part, what works will depend on your computer hardware and software compatibility as well as your internet or local network capability.
neilfrommd wrote: ... Would it only communicate with other iSight users? ...
No. Which camera you and/or your contacts use is not a determinant.
neilfrommd wrote: ... Can it be used to talk to FaceTime users? ...
No, not the system you describe. This question serves as one example of my earlier compatibly comment as explained here:
System requirements for FaceTime for Mac as shown in FaceTime for Mac: Troubleshooting FaceTime include:
- ... Mac OS X v10.6.6 (or later)with all available security updates installed.
- For Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later, the FaceTime App needs to be purchased from the Mac App Store. OS X Mountain Lion and OS X Lion include FaceTime.
- A 128-Kbps or better upstream and downstream Internet connection. Performance may vary according to network throughput and usage.
- A built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built-in or external),...
Even though FaceTime requirements clearly shows that external iSight can be used with FaceTime, because your G4 Mac uses a PPC processor rather than an iNtel processor, your Mac cannot meet entirety of the Mac OS X v10.6.6 (or later) system requirement because of the minimum system requirements contained in in the Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard - Technical Specifications:
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard - Technical Specifications
General requirements
Mac computer with an Intel processor ... (Emphasis added by EZ Jim)
You must determine the minimum system requirements for all software you want to try to use with your old G4 Mac and external iSight to the same level of detail in order to be certain of its compatibility with your system.
neilfrommd wrote: ... Computer is at vacation home for occasional use.
Click this link for Some Applications You Can Use With iSight. You will need to check each app of interest for compatibility with your system to be certain you are not buying or installing something that cannot work with one or more of your system's components.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
- ... Mac OS X v10.6.6 (or later)with all available security updates installed.
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Jan 16, 2015 2:18 PMby neilfrommd,Thank you. Eye opening responses and helpful. I really have no plan to make videos for any reason. When I got the iSight camera, it was for video chatting with family. I do that now with FaceTime. But I am using the old G4 mini just to read e-mail and do light web browsing where I don't have one of my newer Macs and wondered if iSight could expand utility of the old computer running 10.4; I know I can't use FaceTime on it. From your responses I think I could use Skype or perhaps the new video chat service that Mozilla is introducing with the latest Firefox (assuming that translates to the Firefox alternative for G4s). Sounds like more effort than I ned to make. Maybe I can use the old iSight camera instead as a second camera with my newer Mac running Yosemite(?) though I don't know if FaceTime can handle two camera inputs.
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Jan 17, 2015 8:46 AMby EZ Jim,HelpfulYou're welcome.
neilfrommd wrote:... wondered if iSight could expand utility of the old computer running 10.4; ...
If it still works, your old iSight should still offer every function that it every gave you without any changes whatsoever.
You can only "expand" your 10.4 Mac's utility if you upgrade the OS X system software and/or add application software that offers functions that your current configuration does not include.
neilfrommd wrote: ... From your responses I think I could use Skype...
You can if you have OS X 10.4 compatible Skype software on your old Mac. If you do not, you can look for a Skype that is compatible with all of your system elements.
neilfrommd wrote: ... perhaps the new video chat service that Mozilla is introducing with the latest Firefox ...
No. System Requirements for the latest Firefox show that PPC Macs are not supported. Minimum Mac OS X is 10.6.
neilfrommd wrote: ... (assuming that translates to the Firefox alternative for G4s). Sounds like more effort than I ned to make...
As you can see from my response to your speculation about Mozilla/Firefox above, assuming is not productive.
Thanks for letting us know that determining the requirements is more effort than you want to exert. Consider whether it might actually be faster or easier for you to determine the requirements than to write your questions here and wait for us to do the research and then write responses.
neilfrommd wrote: ... Maybe I can use the old iSight camera instead as a second camera with my newer Mac running Yosemite(?)...
You can -- IF your old iSight still works.
neilfrommd wrote: ... I don't know if FaceTime can handle two camera inputs.
For some discussion on how to select between connected, compatible, functioning cameras, see these Discussion topics:
• http://discussions.apple.com/thread/6531512
• http://discussions.apple.com/thread/5162798
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
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Jan 17, 2015 4:31 PMby neilfrommd,Thank you for your help. I did not intend offense and appreciate your willingness to discuss. I did not imagine that I was causing you to "do the research and then write responses." but instead thought you might be willing to share info already known. My comment about effort related to my relatively simple expectations for the PPC Mac Mini compared to a large amount of info and functionality you provided that I really don't know what do with and don't see as matching my basic needs. As for Firefox, I have found and share here that although Firefox is not available or updated any longer for G4 Macs, there is a browser, TenFourFox based upon Firefox, that is maintained on the web and behaves in manner analogous to Firefox and does work on G4 Macs. I have no information about how good it is except that I've found it does work on my old G4 as perhaps you are aware, or not.
