Apple iSight Camera with a 2018 Mac mini

[Keblar]

Hi,

First, let me say that I know the camera is old and that there are better and cheaper ways of doing videoconferencing, but I just love the camera design (even if the quality is just standard, and not 720p).

My question is, will it work with a modern Mac (Mac mini 2018, running latest version of Big Sur)?
I looked online and there is a firewire to USB adapter for 7 bucks. Will that work?

Also, is there a problem if I use the magnet stand that comes with the iSight on a 4K LED display? I know CRTs and magnets are not a good match, but is there a problem with flat panel displays (LED, LCD).

Thanks!!

 

[FirDerrig33]

I love the iSight camera and I think it's fun as well!

1. Yes it will work with a modern Mac as I used it with. Mac mini running Mac OS High Sierra along with other Macs that had actual Isight cameras built in and it was fine.

2. I highly doubt that the USB to firewire adapter will work. I would look for a TB -firewire adapter. That will only be to FW 800 though so you would also need a FW800=FW400 (NewerTech makes a god one and that's the one that I originally purchased from Macsales) adapter to be able to pug the camera in? Is it worth it to do so? It is in my opinion because I also love the design and the way that it works.

The magnet that it uses is not a very powerful magnet and is just fine on more modern displays. It was in fact designed to be either mounted on a. stand on a desk or magnetically attached to an Apple Cinema Display anyway.

 

[Keblar]

I love the iSight camera and I think it's fun as well!

1. Yes it will work with a modern Mac as I used it with. Mac mini running Mac OS High Sierra along with other Macs that had actual Isight cameras built in and it was fine.

2. I highly doubt that the USB to firewire adapter will work. I would look for a TB -firewire adapter. That will only be to FW 800 though so you would also need a FW800=FW400 (NewerTech makes a god one and that's the one that I originally purchased from Macsales) adapter to be able to pug the camera in? Is it worth it to do so? It is in my opinion because I also love the design and the way that it works.

The magnet that it uses is not a very powerful magnet and is just fine on more modern displays. It was in fact designed to be either mounted on a. stand on a desk or magnetically attached to an Apple Cinema Display anyway.

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Why do you think the usb to FireWire won’t work?

 

[FirDerrig33]

no problem! From my past experiences normally USB and Firewire don't operate well together. FW was usually a separate bus and worked differently than USB. Usually firewire devices also need to be powered separately due to Apple wanting to maximize the data transfer speeds and not rely on the system bus to power it AND still expect to send data.

I suppose it's possible now with thunderbolt 3 (which is USB anyway) and the iSight camera since it is just the one cable that connects it anyway. I would still recommend the thunderbolt to firewire adapter with an additional adapter after that for the FW800-400.

And if the adapter is only $7 and if you can return it if it doesn't work; then I would say it's worth it to save the money that would be spent on the other two adapters.

 

[Keblar]

no problem! From my past experiences normally USB and Firewire don't operate well together. FW was usually a separate bus and worked differently than USB. Usually firewire devices also need to be powered separately due to Apple wanting to maximize the data transfer speeds and not rely on the system bus to power it AND still expect to send data.

I suppose it's possible now with thunderbolt 3 (which is USB anyway) and the iSight camera since it is just the one cable that connects it anyway. I would still recommend the thunderbolt to firewire adapter with an additional adapter after that for the FW800-400.

And if the adapter is only $7 and if you can return it if it doesn't work; then I would say it's worth it to save the money that would be spent on the other two adapters

 

[Keblar]

Thanks!