Webcam advice?

Cryssie · Cryssie #1 (**permalink**)

02-19-2007, 04:56 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm just wanting to get some advice on how to chat online using a webcam, as I've never used one before. I have an eMac, 3.5 years old - so I need to purchase a webcam.

I am completely unsure as to how to use it!

What program is best for online chatting? (since MSN for Mac has no 'visual' functions as far as I know)
When I chat, is there sound also?
Will chatting work with my Dial Up connection, or do I need Broadband?

I am Australian, and will be travelling to the US for 3 months. I will be using the Webcam to keep in touch with my friends and family while I am away.

Thanks in advance,
Cryssie :-)

mac57 · mac57 #2 (**permalink**)

02-19-2007, 09:56 AM

Skype seems best - I have tried most of them, and found it to be the best. Computer to computer video calls are free and the quality seems very good.

For your webcam, you likely want to visit ecamm (http://www.ecamm.com). They sell the iMage USB webcam and the iChatUSBCam software package, both of which will allow you to connect their USB web cam to your Mac. I *hope* it will work on an eMac, but can't say for sure.

The iMage USB webcam doesn't have a microphone, so you will need an external mic as well.

All of the above because Apple no longer sells the wonderful iSight camera! So, we are left searching for alternatives. I am hoping that Apple closes this portfolio gap soon.

...of course there is always eBay. I am sure you could get an iSight there.

Cryssie · Cryssie #3 (**permalink**)

02-19-2007, 07:51 PM

With the microphone issue...would the internal inbuilt mic on the emac work? Cheers for the advice!

mac57 · mac57 #4 (**permalink**)

02-19-2007, 08:07 PM

I will have to defer to a forum member who has (or had) an eMac. I'm afraid my G5 is the first Mac I have used since I used to have a Quadra back in the mid 90s.

marioeddie · marioeddie #5 (**permalink**)

03-12-2007, 02:53 PM

I'm thinking of buying the Image by ecamm. Have you tried it? Can you recommend any other camera/mic combo for Mac?

Thanks

mohammed · mohammed #6 (**permalink**)

03-13-2007, 04:20 AM

I guess Logitech with mac os x support would be the best in my view.

Cheers...

cradom · cradom #7 (**permalink**)

03-13-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cryssie

With the microphone issue...would the internal inbuilt mic on the emac work? Cheers for the advice!

Dont know about emac, but the old imacs with built-in mics had so much fan noise the mics were pretty much unusable due to vibration and noise.
Get a good USB mic.

mac57 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 29, 2006 Location: St. Somewhere Posts: 4,553 Mac Specs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 256 GB SSD, 2 TB HDD, 8 GB RAM	02-19-2007, 09:56 AM Skype seems best - I have tried most of them, and found it to be the best. Computer to computer video calls are free and the quality seems very good. For your webcam, you likely want to visit ecamm (http://www.ecamm.com). They sell the iMage USB webcam and the iChatUSBCam software package, both of which will allow you to connect their USB web cam to your Mac. I hope it will work on an eMac, but can't say for sure. The iMage USB webcam doesn't have a microphone, so you will need an external mic as well. All of the above because Apple no longer sells the wonderful iSight camera! So, we are left searching for alternatives. I am hoping that Apple closes this portfolio gap soon. ...of course there is always eBay. I am sure you could get an iSight there. My Macs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 4 Core, Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, PowerMac G5 Quad, 2.5 GHz, G4 Cube, 1.2 GHz Upgrade My iStuff: 32 GB iPhone 4, 30 GB iPod Video, 16 GB iPod Touch My OS': Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS 8.6, openSUSE 10.3, Win XP I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
	QUOTE Thanks

mac57 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 29, 2006 Location: St. Somewhere Posts: 4,553 Mac Specs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 256 GB SSD, 2 TB HDD, 8 GB RAM	02-19-2007, 08:07 PM I will have to defer to a forum member who has (or had) an eMac. I'm afraid my G5 is the first Mac I have used since I used to have a Quadra back in the mid 90s. My Macs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 4 Core, Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, PowerMac G5 Quad, 2.5 GHz, G4 Cube, 1.2 GHz Upgrade My iStuff: 32 GB iPhone 4, 30 GB iPod Video, 16 GB iPod Touch My OS': Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS 8.6, openSUSE 10.3, Win XP I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
	QUOTE Thanks

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Cryssie #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 25, 2006 Posts: 27	02-19-2007, 04:56 AM Hi everyone, I'm just wanting to get some advice on how to chat online using a webcam, as I've never used one before. I have an eMac, 3.5 years old - so I need to purchase a webcam. I am completely unsure as to how to use it! What program is best for online chatting? (since MSN for Mac has no 'visual' functions as far as I know) When I chat, is there sound also? Will chatting work with my Dial Up connection, or do I need Broadband? I am Australian, and will be travelling to the US for 3 months. I will be using the Webcam to keep in touch with my friends and family while I am away. Thanks in advance, Cryssie :-)
	QUOTE Thanks

marioeddie #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 12, 2007 Posts: 2	03-12-2007, 02:53 PM I'm thinking of buying the Image by ecamm. Have you tried it? Can you recommend any other camera/mic combo for Mac? Thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

mohammed #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 30, 2006 Posts: 27	03-13-2007, 04:20 AM I guess Logitech with mac os x support would be the best in my view. Cheers...
	QUOTE Thanks

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