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cejones · Apr 13, 2002, 11:19 AM

I recently converted my Mother-in-Law and my brother from Windows to Mac. My brother has a Bondi Blue iMac and my Mother-in-Law has a new low-end iMac (500MHz)

I also talked them into to getting cable modems. Now, since we all have faster broadband connections... and live many States apart... I would like to get them webcams so we can chat and put those cable modems to good use.

We are all running Mac OS 9.2.2

My brother only has USB, but my Mother-in-Law and I both have firewire.

Two questions: First, what USB webcam is the easiest to use and gives the best framerates... and what Firewire webcam should I look into?

Second, what software is the easiest to use and setup? I have searched online and have not found any decent review sites that go over internet video conferencing... Please point out any sites if you know of any please.

Right now, I am looking at the iBot Pro or the Irez Stealthfire for Firewire and the Irez Kritter for USB.

Also, I own a Mini-DV Canon Zr20 camcorder... is it possible to use that as my webcam for video conferencing?

Thanks for any advice

Zoom · Jul 7, 2002, 09:00 PM

[bump]

Same question, pretty much. I've got a rather cheap Ariston iSee-II USB web cam and I have one for my mom. We both have cable modems and G4 Macs. But the video looks crummy. Is it the USB, the camera, or the network connection? My guess is it's either USB or the camera or both. Can you get really good pictures with a USB webcam? Does the Ariston model suck? Should we fork over the bucks for an iBot? I'd hate to lay out the money and have only a marginal improvement.

crazycylon · Jul 8, 2002, 12:50 AM

check out <a href="http://www.ivisit.com/" target="_blank">iVisit</a>

Zoom · Jul 8, 2002, 03:33 PM

I use iVisit now - I'm asking about hardware, not software.

CIA · Jul 10, 2002, 04:47 AM

Is it possible to use a firewire DV camera as a web cam?

badtz · Jul 10, 2002, 07:36 AM

you're unable to use DV cams as webcams EXCEPT on the new [not released yet, but will be soon] sony dv cam's , which will enable this feature via usb [not firewire].

Bennylen · Jul 10, 2002, 11:11 AM

I've used my Canon ZR-10 as a web cam and it worked great. I would assume that the new ones would work just as well. Although I wouldn't suggest leaving them on for long periods of time. They are not made for that kind of use. In fact mine is at the shop right now getting worked on.

For webcam software I've tried Coolcam (now evocam) from <a href="http://www.evological.com" target="_blank">http://www.evological.com</a> for OS 9 and X. For video conferecing I have used iVisit with OS 9 but they don't have a version for OS X yet. The iBot and other firewire cams are supposed to work just fine with the new OS X drivers out and with OS 9 as well. I plan on getting an iBot in the near future. I don't think the pro version is necessary. I realize that you are only running OS 9 for now but eventually you will need/have to move over to OS X. So keep that in mind when you purchase.

I also have a logitec USB Quickcam Pro webcam that works in OS 9 but is no longer supported and it does not work in OS X. The USB cameras will be less than great video and at a size of no bigger than 320x240. Very few USB cameras work in OS X. Try looking at <a href="http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/</a> for some supported cameras.

hth,
Benny

cejones · Jul 10, 2002, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the info benny.

Since my first post, I have converted everyone to OS X. I am going with the ADS Tech Pyro webcam over the iBot. These two cameras have the exact same insides... the reason I chose the Pyro was the nice stable base.

As for my brother, his iMac only has USB, so he is going with the Logitech Clicksmart 510 USB camera... not the best, but it should work.

I'll keep you posted on how things work out