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iSight No Longer Available

I bet all firewire cameras will work with photobooth..... and I wondor what the new isight will improve on?!?!?!:confused: :rolleyes:
 
Just wanted to add (and embellish) the fact (which has been stated here quite a few times) there's no practical reason for the external iSight to exist, other then it's unique, Apple-looking design. You can get a JVC DV camcorder for way under $100 on ebay with Firewire that works perfectly with iChat and Photobooth, has at least 3 times the resolution of the isight, and the huge benefit of being a full video camera you can actually use away from the computer. It's also the same size (some are even smaller then the isight). With the outragously cheap prices of DV Camcorders in general, the external iSight is REALLY truly not needed.
 
okwhatev said:
Just wanted to add (and embellish) the fact (which has been stated here quite a few times) there's no practical reason for the external iSight to exist, other then it's unique, Apple-looking design. You can get a JVC DV camcorder for way under $100 on ebay with Firewire that works perfectly with iChat and Photobooth, has at least 3 times the resolution of the isight, and the huge benefit of being a full video camera you can actually use away from the computer. It's also the same size (some are even smaller then the isight). With the outragously cheap prices of DV Camcorders in general, the external iSight is REALLY truly not needed.
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That may be true, but Apple is about convenience and ease of use, as well as selling hardware.

Asking people to buy a video camera and then hook it up to their Mac is a little too technical for a lot of people.

I've used my JVC camcorder successfully as a webcam, but it's a PITA. There's the firewire, the power connection, then I need to remove the tape, otherwise the tape-mechanism powers up and makes noises.

I think the key thing you mention, is the price-point needs to come down, but there's definitely a need for an external unit - even though it's not as simple/convenient (but restrictive) as the built-in model.
 
I know its a bit useless saying it now, but remember what ole stevie said back at WWDC. Photobooth was being packaged into Leopard so all Macs can use it. Well, people without iSights are gonna have a hard time using Photobooth without a camara.

New iSight, has to be.

Also, ACD's will not come with iSights in them purely because some offices that may use them have rules that no wireless connections, mobile phones, cameras can even enter the building.
 
Willis said:
Also, ACD's will not come with iSights in them purely because some offices that may use them have rules that no wireless connections, mobile phones, cameras can even enter the building.
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This hasn't stopped the iSight being built into MacBooks and MBPs. There's no option to get one without the camera.

It could also mean that iChat and PhotoBooth et al will just get better third party webcam support in Leopard.

B
 
Willis said:
I know its a bit useless saying it now, but remember what ole stevie said back at WWDC. Photobooth was being packaged into Leopard so all Macs can use it. Well, people without iSights are gonna have a hard time using Photobooth without a camara.
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I've gotta admit, I'm sick of people posting without reading past posts. I read ALL previous posts before I've posted my two comments, the second which detailed EXACTLY what Steve said at WWDC.

-Brian
 
balamw said:
Yeah, but the ad implies that all Macs already have iSight, which isn't true for the mini or Pro...

B
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Yeah, it didn't fill me with too much hope for a new external, which would be, as many others have said before, a great shame. The built-in's are right there when you need them, but the externals have much more flexibility.
 
any word?

Any word on the iSight? Now I actually need one they aren't there, unless I want to buy one off a scalper at Amazon. I notice the Apple site still lists some accessories for the iSight, a bit like finding dodo feed and grooming kits at the pet shop. Bunch of arse mate.
 
Maybe, just maybe there are already iSights in ACDs... there, hiding behind the Apple logo at the bottom of the screen, take a close look... :) for the camera!
 
Basically, at this point I'm resigned to say that I won't die if they don't put out a new iSight. I want one, but I realize it may not happen. I'll be getting a new computer in the next four years anyway, so bollucks. As I said, I won't die. But I will be disappointed. Maybe at the 10.5 announcement.
 
flinch13 said:
... I realize it may not happen...
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I'm inclined to agree with you on this. The longer it goes on and things like the Get a Mac: iSight advert come out, the more it seems likely they've dropped it completely, which from a consumer's point of seems really stupid.
 
Thank God, I had the wisdom to order an iSight for my Mac Pro in a separate order. It came the day before my Mac Pro arrived. Also, I got the SightFlex iSight stand from MacMice. Pretty darned cool IMO! I have it aimed right at me from the side of my 21" CRT monitor.
 
Kindof a weird thing with the isights... Apple has this program with corporate customers where if you buy a certain amount of stuff from apple, you get a % "cash back" to spend on other apple products (with restrictions, for example you cant use that money to buy iPods).

Well this time around my company only had about $650 to spend, so we decided to go for four iSight cameras. Then the apple rep contacted us and said the iSight was no longer available and they did not have any to send us... So we said (this is via email) that we would just take a Mac Mini instead.

Then about 2 weeks ago a box came... Full of iSights... So i don't know if that means they found some last remaining stock to send to us or what... They are the same isight model as apple has been shipping.

Just thought i'd mention this :)
 
blackcrayon said:
Then about 2 weeks ago a box came... Full of iSights... So i don't know if that means they found some last remaining stock to send to us or what... They are the same isight model as apple has been shipping.
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I presume you've already put them on eBay and bought a Mac Pro with the proceeds. :p

B
 
lol this thread reminded me of the newlyweds episode when jesicca simpson and nick lachey used powerbooks and isights to talk to each other.. sorry so random... but yea there should be new isights this years imo...
 
red_wedge said:
Why would they introduce a new one? All new Mac models have one as standard ecept the Mac Pro - and it would be more sensible - and cheaper - to refine the Apple Displays to include a built-in iSight.

Apple don't have a reputation for supporting legacy Macs with new hardware, and anyway, iSights are too expensive - to make and to purchase.

Of course, they could put an iSight in an iPhone, and legacy users could use that, connected to their macs, to transmit in iChat...
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That would be freakin awesome! i can actually see that being made by apple too!:)
 
aross99 said:
Those of you who say we don't need an external iSight now that they are built in, have you ever compared the two?

There is NO comparison. The built-in iSight has very poor color accuracy, and looks washed out. As others have said, they are also fixed-focus. There is also limited brightness adjustments, when you use third party tools like iGlasses (which is indispensable if you use your iSight in anything but day light).

Good luck if you want to use your built in iSight to show something to someone. With the external iSight, you just turn it around, and shoot away. It makes for a great "walking tour" when you want to show off something new in the house, etc. I can never get the internal iSight positioned at the right angle, and still be able to see my screen.

For very casual use, the internal models are great, but for anyone who uses their iSight very often for iChatting, the external is the only way to go.

The different in picture quality is quite dramatic.

I have checked the iSights built into the MacBooks, MacBook Pro's, and iMacs - all look the same.

I really hope Apple comes out with an improved version - one with better low light sensitivity...
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that's exactly what i was thinking! if you want to walk around with it, then you'd be able to focus on things in the surroundings as u move. or if you want to show something off as you walk around the room, it'd be clear, or better focus. also, what if u want to turn the camera and not the whole laptop, again, it'd be easier to use.

what if u don't have the laptop and have one of the large displays...i don't think having the isight in the large displays would be a good idea. i mean can u image having to sit in front of the big display just so it could get a good focus on u? in front of a 30" or even a 23"?! i don't think so. the smart thing to do if it is to be installed in the display is have it pop out from the top and be adjustable in a 360 degree turning radius. plus have the autofocus, plus have a possible zoom feature...who knows...:apple: are genius' when it comes to design =)
 
I just thought i'd point out that if you visit www.apple.com/isight it redirects you to the US Accessories store, right? The UK Site also used to do specifically this, redirecting you to the UK Store, but it now takes you to a page which I personally haven't seen in a while explaining all about the iSight Camera At www.apple.com/uk/isight - Is it just me? It always used to redirect, i'm sure..
 
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