Recommend Webcam?

[BDK1022]

I'm looking to buy an external webcam as a gift for someone with a G4 Powerbook. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't sell the external isight anymore and its not always easy to determine what will and will not work well on a mac.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Kosh66]

There's a list of compatible webcams on this page http://www.ecamm.com/mac/ichatusbcam/configs.html

[Celeron]

The Xbox Live camera works great. Its only around $40. No drivers required and it works with iChat.

[overanalyzer]

Any USB Video Class webcam will work with OS X 10.4.3+ (10.4.9+ works with iChat), including the XBox cam, as mentioned above.

There's a list of USB Video Devices and a link to a site with more details in Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_USB_video_class_devices

There are also third-party drivers for many webcams. I've tried Macam (http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/) and IOXperts (http://www.ioxperts.com/products/webcamx.html), in addition to the iChatUSBCam mentioned above.

EDIT: oops, pasted the wrong URL for IOXperts at first. Fixed that.

[mikems]

My new Logictech Quick Cam Pro 5000 worked well with Skype. It has a nice internal microphone. However, if you want to change contrast, light, etc., neither the Logitech software nor macam work with it. I then tried my Sony TRV 525 through the firewire IEEE 1394 port (iLink), and it was quickly recognized by Skype. Incredible sharp picture, much sharper than Logitech or probably any of the webcams. You can adjust for light, etc. I keep it on autofocus. I have heard that some of camcorders with IEEE 1394 also can pick up the sound, but I haven't figured this out.

For sound, I use the Griffin imike I had, attached to a USB port with an inexpensive plastic computer mike ACM-1 that picks up real well from a distance of up to two feet or more. I had a Shure SM 58 mike attached through an M-Audio Fast Track, and that is recognized also by the mac sound control panel, but it's a mike that doesn't pick up more than a foot away. It's an expensive professional mike made for people who need a mike up close. You don't really need an expensive mike to chat. :) Mike