Good alternative to iSight?

January 23, 2007 9:59 AM

What's a good webcam for video chatting on OS X?

I'm looking for a good webcam for iChat AV on OS X.

I'd like to get an iSight, but it looks like Apple discontinued them and they're expensive on eBay.

posted by kirkaracha to Computers & Internet (12 answers total)

Just went through this myself, and did a ton of research. Yes, Apple has discontinued the iSight, since all their new computers now have built-in web cams. A big mistake if you ask me. I ended up getting an Ecamm iMage and it works great. There really wasn't anything else out there for Mac, and nothing that was plug and play like iMage. Just make sure you have OS v 10.4.
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 10:05 AM on January 23, 2007

I ran in to the same problem - Apple acting like Mac Mini and Mac Pro users don't have a use for video cameras !? - and wound up getting a Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX.

The video is crystal clear and it works alright in Skype with the help of the free and open source macam, but there's also some bugs with Skype (I get the spinning beach ball during video calls and have to force quit once the call is done). macam has a list of compatible cameras on their site.

For iChat, you would also need the $10 iChatUSBCam which seems to work for me (I tried the demo).
posted by revgeorge at 10:23 AM on January 23, 2007

I can't help with your question, but I wanted to let any iSight owners know that I sold my iSight on eBay two weeks ago for over $250. If you have one you're not using, definitely consider putting it up for sale!
posted by GregW at 1:27 PM on January 23, 2007

Yes, Apple has discontinued the iSight, since all their new computers now have built-in web cams.

It's just as likely that they discontinued a SKU that is going to being replaced.
posted by secret about box at 3:22 PM on January 23, 2007

It's just as likely that they discontinued a SKU that is going to being replaced.

The woman working at the Apple store seemed to think that Apple was not going to replace iSight with any other camera options, and suggested I try a third party vendor for a Mac-friendly web cam.
posted by Nathanial Hörnblowér at 7:28 PM on January 23, 2007

The rumored reason for the discontinuation of the iSight is a supposed upcoming release of Apple Cinema Displays with built-in iSights, thus alleviating the mini and Pro problems mentioned by revgeorge AND locking them in to more expensive Apple hardware. Thanks Apple!
posted by JLobster at 9:50 AM on January 24, 2007

I hate to tell you, but you get what you pay for.

The iSight beats out any other webcam I've ever used. For the price, it's great.
posted by drstein at 12:49 PM on January 24, 2007

drstein - for what price? Apple isn't selling them anymore, and they even took down http://www.apple.com/isight/

I think the message is that only an ugly person would buy a Mac Mini or Mac Pro.
posted by revgeorge at 1:59 PM on January 24, 2007

Response by poster: Well, I got a Mac Mini for my mom, and she is not ugly (I may be). I have an iSight, and I want to either get a webcam for her or get another iSight (but I'd rather not pay the ~$200 iSights are going for on eBay).
posted by kirkaracha at 6:51 PM on January 24, 2007

Holy cow. I didn't realize that eBay sellers were screwing people over like that.

I thought the iSight would be easier to find. I guess I'll hang on to mine!

Sorry for the lousy answer :(
posted by drstein at 8:48 PM on January 24, 2007

The woman working at the Apple store seemed to think that Apple was not going to replace iSight with any other camera options, and suggested I try a third party vendor for a Mac-friendly web cam.

Retail store employees are rarely privvy to such information. She's talking out of her ass.
posted by secret about box at 3:47 PM on January 27, 2007

(Not to imply that Apple is or isn't going to do something, of course. Just that the woman to whom you spoke likely doesn't know what's going to happen.)
posted by secret about box at 3:48 PM on January 27, 2007