Here's What the Studio Display's Webcam Looks Like After 15.5 Beta Firmware Update

[MacRumors]

Apple today released new beta firmware for the Studio Display, which is available to Studio Display users who have the macOS Monterey 12.4 beta installed on their Macs. The updated firmware includes a fix for the webcam, so we thought we'd take a quick look to see the tweaks in action.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Prior to the launch of the Studio Display, reviewers noticed that the webcam was not performing as expected. It was described as washed out, grainy, noisy, and overall, poor quality.

After these complaints came out, Apple said that it "discovered an issue where the system is not behaving as expected," promising a fix in a future software update. That fix is out today, and Apple says that it has tuned the camera, improving noise reduction, contrast, and framing.

In practice, if you watch our video up above, there are noticeable quality updates, but the difference is subtle. Colors are not as pale, there's improved contrast, and the overall look is a bit more vibrant. Depending on lighting, there isn't a huge difference in sharpness, but the changes seem to be an overall net improvement.

Six Colors' Jason Snell shared a set of photos and a video that also demonstrate the differences between the new firmware and old firmware, and there is a clear change to the framing. There is less zoom both when using Center Stage and when not using the feature, which means video capture is overall less cropped.

Overall, Apple's changes seem to be for the better, though those hoping for something dramatic may be disappointed. Skin tones are improved as is overall color, and there appears to be an improvement in contrast along with less de-noising for more clarity, but ultimately this is still the same 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, so Apple is limited to software tweaks.

For now, Studio Display owners will need the macOS Monterey 12.4 beta to see the 15.5 firmware update, but it will be more widely available when the new version of Monterey sees a public release. The beta is currently available to both developers and public beta testers.

What do you think of the firmware update? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Here's What the Studio Display's Webcam Looks Like After 15.5 Beta Firmware Update

 

[KPOM]

It is subtle. Not sure if it is going to change many review scores.

 

[Macative]

In comparing the two, I've concluded that it is still $400 over priced and still can't rotate to portrait.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple seriously dropped the ball on Studio display by inputting 12-megapixel Ultra Wide Camera in first place. This is a hardware issue.

 

[KPOM]

Apple seriously dropped the ball on Studio display by inputting 12-megapixel Ultra Wide Camera in first place. This is a hardware issue.

It’s the same one they use in the iPad.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It’s the same one they use in the iPad.

Correct but that's an iPad. Not a main display monitor. Big difference between those two.

Also, the iPad is last year's model. It's also integrated with iPad OS.

 

[TheGeneralist]

Looks like this test was performed under good lighting conditions.
Think this doesn't allow too many conclusions, as even very poor webcams will look OK-ish in good lighting conditions.

It would be quite interesting to see the difference in poor light.

 

[anthogag]

To me you both look better with this new April 26 firmware update.

Did the new update break Jason Snell's microphone...He did everything but jumping-jacks.

 

[BWhaler]

The hot takes all say it's a modest improvement at best and doesn't bring camera quality to comparable iPad. Perhaps not a last-minute bug like Apple said and more of a fundamental quality issue.

So glad I didn't buy these yet. I've waited for years for an Apple display. What's another 6 months or so. I just hope they fix it for real the next time around.

 

[Mr. Skeleton]

Marketable improvement I think

 

[The Mad Kiwi]

They should have put a 4K camera in it so when it drops it’s still 1080p

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

They should have put a 4K camera in it so when it drops it’s still 1080p

That's how much, $3000 for a display?

 

[44267547]

Lighting plays a major role in this. But I’m not seeing stark differences.

 

[nutmac]

Apple seriously dropped the ball on Studio display by inputting 12-megapixel Ultra Wide Camera in first place. This is a hardware issue.

Perhaps I am in the minority but I think Studio Display's camera is fine, especially now that the contrast and color are improved with less denoising artifacts.

Don't get me wrong. I would love iPhone's rear camera (f/1.8 vs f/2.4 aperture), as well as HDR, ProMotion, tilt and height adjustable stand as the standard feature, but I am happy that I no longer have to resort to using LG's Ultrameh monitor.

 

[Diablo360]

Hmm…. Not sure if it’s better or worse. I guess it depends on personal preference

 

[Xano]

the crop is different, the quality remais garbage!

 

[Rudy69]

I think it looks a lot better....but still far off what it should be

 

[ikir]

I think the changes are noticeable, colors and definition is better.

 

[EugW]

Quality is still at best mediocre. Mainly just different framing.

However, is that with Center Stage on or off? Some of the criticism was that if you turn off Center Stage in the macOS Control Center, the framing goes way off.

 

[ikir]

The hot takes all say it's a modest improvement at best and doesn't bring camera quality to comparable iPad. Perhaps not a last-minute bug like Apple said and more of a fundamental quality issue.

So glad I didn't buy these yet. I've waited for years for an Apple display. What's another 6 months or so. I just hope they fix it for real the next time around.

Remember that you are watching a 1080p in a 5K display, it is the same reasoning about video playback. Try a 720p on a 4K display

 

[KPOM]

It is subtle. Not sure if it is going to change many review scores.

I just tried it myself. I don't notice much difference, so those expecting huge improvements will be disappointed. It does seem to change how Center Stage works (making it a bit less jerky). I still prefer the one in my 14" MacBook Pro.

 

[nfl46]

It’s better but still not good enough.

 

[waziazi]

apple humiliates itself again! damn what the heck is happening to them

 

[xraydoc]

Correct but that's an iPad. Not a main display monitor. Big difference between those two.

Also, the iPad is last year's model. It's also integrated with iPad OS.

I dunno. The front camera on my 12.9” M1 iPad Pro looks pretty damn good on WebEx and Zoom.
The studio display’s camera should look good with the existing hardware.

 

[The Phazer]

It's definitely better, but it's pretty baffling why it's still worse than putting an iPad that has the same sensor and same processor on a stand in front of it.

What an overengineered mess.