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Is an external camera with 1st gen iPad possible once the new iOS arrives?

P

powerbooks

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 23, 2009
122
4
It seems certain for now that the 2nd gen iPad will have built-in camera, and the new iOS will support camera/video.

This brings up my question. There was a discussion last year when iPad just came out, on whether someone can make an external camera for 1st gen iPad. But that was not possible then since the old iOS did not support camera. Since the latest iOS will be supporting (at least) internal camera, is it possible now to make the 1st gen iPad to support certain cameras externally? Would the camera connection be useful for this situation? Any thought is welcome!
 
I don't know but it would be cumbersome to use as a portable solution.
 
jessica. said:
I don't know but it would be cumbersome to use as a portable solution.
Click to expand...

I am not talking about daily portable use. Seriously, I don't even use my iPhone camera that often! But the ability to connect to an external camera will open new potentials for iPad such as controlling a SLR digital camera, or creating high quality videos that is not limited by the built-in camera. This would also benefit new iPad for sure.
 
Self bump

Seriously, am I the only person who think this might be a viable business? Think of it: 15 millions of iPad 1, an external portable camera would be nice for occasional use.
 
powerbooks said:
It seems certain for now that the 2nd gen iPad will have built-in camera, and the new iOS will support camera/video.

This brings up my question. There was a discussion last year when iPad just came out, on whether someone can make an external camera for 1st gen iPad. But that was not possible then since the old iOS did not support camera. Since the latest iOS will be supporting (at least) internal camera, is it possible now to make the 1st gen iPad to support certain cameras externally? Would the camera connection be useful for this situation? Any thought is welcome!
Click to expand...

powerbooks said:
Seriously, am I the only person who think this might be a viable business? Think of it: 15 millions of iPad 1, an external portable camera would be nice for occasional use.
Click to expand...

Chill Dude!!!

A quick search on YouTube and you will find two options that are out there RIGHT NOW for iPad 1 users. No need for iOS 5 or Jailbreaking.

Option 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H84EpXXcG_o&sns=em

Option 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dothwcOu11I&sns=em

I use option 1
 
Last edited:
xraytech said:
Chill Dude!!!

A quick search on YouTube and you will find two options that are out there RIGHT NOW for iPad 1 users. No need for iOS 5 or Jailbreaking.

Option 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H84EpXXcG_o&sns=em

Option 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dothwcOu11I&sns=em

I use option 1
Click to expand...


Neither options is able to serve what I intended to use my iPad 1. Sorry maybe my title confused you? I was hoping to mean webcam type of video/still device, just like the built-in camera for the iPad 2.

Option 1 is for picture transfer, not really use a camera with your iPad 1 in a real time fashion, not even monitoring what you can see on your camera. Plus, and special SD card and jailbreak, and MyFi? How tedious!

Option 2 requires another iDevice with camera, what about if I do not have another iPhone or iPod Touch?

The situation I imagine would be more look like a webcam type of usage. For instance, you want to have a video Skype chat on iPad 1, or to scan some UPC label using ShopSavvy or RedLaser. I would like to see a small camera (like someone has artistically drawn in certain threads here) attached to iPad 1 by a simple cable or real "Camera adapter", (not the one by Apple, which would enable video capture.

Option 1 obviously can not do that. Option 2, again, needs another iPhone, but closer to the situation. All your examples pointed to the potential that the newer iOS may have the built-in capability to recognize an external webcam or camera, just need some developer to figure out the application.
 
I originally thought this is how Apple would get existing iPads into the FaceTime world. However, since the iPad 2 release, I'm going to say the chance is slim to none.
 
powerbooks said:
Neither options is able to serve what I intended to use my iPad 1. Sorry maybe my title confused you? I was hoping to mean webcam type of video/still device, just like the built-in camera for the iPad 2.

Option 1 is for picture transfer, not really use a camera with your iPad 1 in a real time fashion, not even monitoring what you can see on your camera. Plus, and special SD card and jailbreak, and MyFi? How tedious!

Option 2 requires another iDevice with camera, what about if I do not have another iPhone or iPod Touch?

The situation I imagine would be more look like a webcam type of usage. For instance, you want to have a video Skype chat on iPad 1, or to scan some UPC label using ShopSavvy or RedLaser. I would like to see a small camera (like someone has artistically drawn in certain threads here) attached to iPad 1 by a simple cable or real "Camera adapter", (not the one by Apple, which would enable video capture.

Option 1 obviously can not do that. Option 2, again, needs another iPhone, but closer to the situation. All your examples pointed to the potential that the newer iOS may have the built-in capability to recognize an external webcam or camera, just need some developer to figure out the application.
Click to expand...

You mean something like this?

http://www.ecamm.com/mac/webcam/bt1/

Problem is I don't think there's an App that will allow it to work with the iPad 1? Unless there's a Jailbreak option.

Maybe iOS 5 will have that functionality but with the introduction of iPad 2, very unlikely. That's why this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dothwcOu11I&feature=youtube_gdata_player

... maybe the only option you have for now.
 
xraytech said:
You mean something like this?

http://www.ecamm.com/mac/webcam/bt1/

Problem is I don't think there's an App that will allow it to work with the iPad 1? Unless there's a Jailbreak option.

Maybe iOS 5 will have that functionality but with the introduction of iPad 2, very unlikely. That's why this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dothwcOu11I&feature=youtube_gdata_player

... maybe the only option you have for now.
Click to expand...


Hi all-

I've essentially joined the forum to reply to the thread...I've been thinking about doing something like this for a few months, and i'm really keen on trying to develop it.

but, the news about Scoshe's iClops is pretty worrying....has anyone got any more info why they pulled the plug, other than citing 'legal issues'...one website said that it might be due to their use of the Apple port..but, I don't know how much I believe that.

Well, the reason for replying, was to see if anyone has come to any conclusions on this, and specifically, if they'd like to team up and try and get a prototype running.

not sure if i'm allowed to put my email here, but i'll try: hassanali1@gmail.com or hassanali1.at.gmail.com

get in touch if you're interested in trying to pick up where Scosche left off...
:D
 
I thought about this myself a while back - buried deep in the SDKs is what appears to be support for multiple cameras and standard USB-Video devices. We know USB audio works (so you can have a USB mic), maybe a standard-supporting camera would work too.

Well, I wrote an app that just detects cameras and lists them, and got people to test it (using various cameras and the camera connection kit). No joy, nothing was detected. I don't *think* that's changed with iOS 5, not checked to be sure though.

So for now the only really option is a camera that streams video over wifi (or maybe bluetooth - no idea how that would work though, does the OS support it?) and a custom app (i.e. it won't work with FaceTime).
 
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