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Webcam for use with mac mini? [Facetime, Skype, ...] [MERGED]

phoenixsan said:
Logitech cameras. Currently, I think they make the Webcam C270 and C525, C310, C615 and C920. Check out what is better for your uses/budget, because some go up to 1080p video. Having said the above, the software can be cumbersome. And check the Logitech website about support/compatibility:):apple:
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The C920 does not advertise Mac compatibility. I bought one to try with my Mac mini, and was very unimpressed with the experience.

Photo Booth and Facetime detected the camera immediately, but it was completely unrecognized by iMovie. There was Mac-specific software from Logitech which I downloaded and installed, but every time I ran it, it claimed the camera was already in use by another application, even in a fresh session. Skype also consistently reported the camera was already in use.

I can't speak to the Mac compatibility of other Logitech cameras, particularly those which do advertise Mac compatibility (e.g. the C615). But I would not recommend getting a C920 if you have a Mac.
 
google about any logitech products that don't advertise mac compatibility. In my past experience, I've found that most work. Generally speaking they only advertise the mac compatibility if the random software they give you is also compatible. the hardware itself may run like a dream but logitech didn't care enough to package mac software with it.
 
I got a Logitech C615, very cheap. It's fine for my needs, and OS X recognises it instantly. Works with Dictation, QuickTime, Skype, etc.
The 920 is better, but very similar.
 

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Photo Booth Problem

hi i have just got the Logitech c615 and it worked out of the box. Although there is a problem with Photo Booth. The effects page that has backgrounds to choose from don't work. All get is the background.

i have tried to pick a background while i was not in-shot as it doesn't ask me to stand out of the shot as it does on the demo Mac's in the stores. but when i get back in front of the camera it does not show me at all.

Has anyone had this problem?

Many thanks
 
cyclotron451 said:
My iSight produced video on my Mac mini but I couldn't get any audio. I still haven't solved this - the iSight works great on an old 10.4 Mini.
I picked up the cheapest Microsoft LifeCam "Model 1407" (I think it's a "VX-800 USB connect") which works OK, decent microphone audio and average quality pictures. The higher spec models of Microsoft's LifeCam require many drivers with increasing layers of complexity that aren't supported in 10.8.x... whilst MS's cheapest cam works ok.

my FW400 to FW800 adapter was only around $5, so maybe not a waste of money, and I might get my iSight to work..?
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I get the same issue with my iSight, looked all over the net for solutions but they are all the usual trobleshooting, it only started after an OSX 10.8 update :(
 
VF0610 Live Cam Socialize HD CREATIVE

I'm using this cam on a lets say, a not official mac and it works great.
I know that this cams does not work on usb3 new mac mini ports.
Can anyone confirm this.
 
I don't have a new Mini yet (hopefully soon). But there are a couple helpful apps I've used with my 2009 & have posted about elsewhere.

I’ve recently had success with Logitech webcams and I wanna let folks know. Logitech hardware is terrific but it’s common to read on the web that they don’t work with Macs. It’s true that Logitech Mac driver software is lousy. Don’t even try to use it.

There are a pair of apps that, when used together, give excellent results: “WebCam Settings” (on the Apple store) and “CamTwist” (free - Google for it). I currently have 3 Logitech cams working simultaneously (C920, C910, C615). I’m running Snow Leopard on a 2009 Mini A1283. WebCam Settings allows things like manual focus, zoom, color & brightness, etc. to be set for each cam individually. CamTwist allows switching among the cams and setting image size & resolution on a per-cam basis. I’m using the older CamTwist 2.4 but the developer is working on a new 64-bit version (will require Lion or ML).

The 2009 Mini has 5 USB ports but only two High-Speed Busses (i.e USB 2.0). I couldn’t get things to work until I added a powered hub. USB 2.0 is rated at a max of 500ma. Logitech cams draw more than, say, a keyboard or a mouse. Before adding the hub I thought the data bandwidth from the cams was overwhelming the USB Busses but instead I found it was a matter of insufficient power for the cams. I now have two powered hubs - a Belkin F4U016 and a Pluggable USB2-HUB-AG7.

Hope this is helpful.
 
Do you guys with iSight problems update its firmware to 1.0.3?
I use it too. Got it for 70 bucks recently, but for that price it came with a like new 17 inch Lamp iMac with original speakers. So it was a nice package.
 
Old iSight or new Logitech

My primary use for a webcam is to use with FaceTime. I have not found a satisfactory, HD solution yet, but will post my experiences so far as these may help others.

My first attempt was to purchase a FireWire 400 to 800 converter and use my old iSight. It works, but the autofocus was off, leading to slightly blurry, rather unsatisfactory results.

Then I bought a Logitech C920. A great camera with a really sharp picture, that did indeed work right out of the box. However when FaceTiming the camera's microphone does not suppress the incoming audio leading to a very pronounced echo for the other person. I bought Webcam Settings, which did have some nice features, but nothing to solve my audio echo problem. I put this down to not having the full functionality with only the basic UVC driver.

I am now planning to return the C920 and switch it for a lower spec, but Mac compatible C615. I will let you know how I get on.

If anyone has any comments on FaceTime in HD with a Mac compatible webcam I'd be interested to hear.
 
fhall1 said:
Problem with the iSight is it has to be the only thing on the FW bus...it stops working if I chain it off the FW port on my external drive
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Yeah... I know. I even tried doing that as well, I was bummed when it didn't work.
 
Camera for use with mac mini?

I'm looking at replacing an iMac with a mac mini. I occasionally use the built in camera on the iMac for things like FaceTime and Skype. Are there any monitors that people can recommend that have a built in camera that can be used for this? Or do people tend to use separate, external cameras?
 
Serif said:
I'm looking at replacing an iMac with a mac mini. I occasionally use the built in camera on the iMac for things like FaceTime and Skype. Are there any monitors that people can recommend that have a built in camera that can be used for this? Or do people tend to use separate, external cameras?
Click to expand...

You might better off getting a stand alone camera (wired or wireless)...more mobility and potential creative use.
 
I use an iSight (original FW one). Crap quality video for today's standard, but I like the looks.
 
Camera for new Mac Mini

Hello Everyone,

So I finally pulled the trigger and went over to the dark side by buying my first Mac in form of nice new Mac Mini. So far this has been pretty smooth and I'm 95% sure that I'll keep it. I'll take the day tomorrow to figure out monitor and external drive choices. However, given that 50% of the use on this machine is for photo editing I will not buy the Apple Thunderbolt display but likely a NEC or Dell for wide gamut applications and with AR coating.

Hence, I will need an external USB cam/microphone for the occasional FaceTime or Skype conversation. Just tried my wife's C910 Logitech and that was a failure. Picture was jumpy and erratic and there was no sound. I downloaded the Logitech app from the App Store and that didn't help.

Any recommendation for a reliable and compatible HD cam for my new Mac Mini?

Thanks and Happy New Year.
 
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