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New Displays at MacWorld?
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No more external iSights leaves Mac mini users out in the cold, since they're only option is to buy a relatively-expensive ACD, thus negating the whole cost benefit of buying a Mac mini in the first place. 
As for new ACDs with built-in iSights, sure why not! Apple can release a nice 53" LCD display at MWSF which can be integrated into the iTV unit and, via Front Row 2.0 w/ integrated iChat, you'll be able to video chat with your friends and family from the comfort of your couch - and all in HD!
As for new ACDs with built-in iSights, sure why not! Apple can release a nice 53" LCD display at MWSF which can be integrated into the iTV unit and, via Front Row 2.0 w/ integrated iChat, you'll be able to video chat with your friends and family from the comfort of your couch - and all in HD!
That was from DigiTimes
You are correct. However, remember that Apple's current displays use one combined cord that breaks out at the bottom into power, DVI, USB2, and Firewire. So, the connections are already there for an iSight to work.
Poor, poor decision by Apple. I'm studying abroad this summer, and I was hoping my girlfriend and I could get iSights for our Powerbooks so we could video chat, but since they're being integrated, and with normal iSights being discontinued, this could be a real hinderance. First bad decision I've seen from Apple in a long time, though.
That was from DigiTimes
Oh, that's right. Nevermind then, my bad
It's only been a year since they've been integrated into laptops, right? You would think Apple would continue to carry them for existing PB and other laptop owners.
Yes. The best quality "iSight" camera I have is my Sony mini DV camera. It's a darned expensive webcam but better then DVD quality. I think anything that works with Quicktime will work.
Bad Decision
Adding iSite to HD Displays is OK but discontinuing the stand-alone iSite is a bad idea.
Stand-alone iSite cameras have a lot more functionality when they are not embedded in a display. You can put them on servos and use them for survelliance. You can use them with adapters on telescopes for astro-movies, sun-spot studies, etc. etc. The uses are only limited by the creative mind of the user.
Stuck in a display they are religated to dumb video phone status. Something that really isn't all that valuable.
Adding iSite to HD Displays is OK but discontinuing the stand-alone iSite is a bad idea.
Stand-alone iSite cameras have a lot more functionality when they are not embedded in a display. You can put them on servos and use them for survelliance. You can use them with adapters on telescopes for astro-movies, sun-spot studies, etc. etc. The uses are only limited by the creative mind of the user.
Stuck in a display they are religated to dumb video phone status. Something that really isn't all that valuable.
I head the decision was made for them by the EU's ban on lead. A lot of electronics can no longer be sold in Europe. This is a good thing because all of this stuff ends up in landfills and the metals leach into the water. If the ban takes effect in Jan 07 and Macworld is in Jan 07 that could explain why the new replacement is not announced yet, they are waiting.
Credit goes to Aple managment for running the inventory to zero right at 2006 year end.
If you really need one now just buy some non-Apple brand webcam
The standalone iSight that I have seems to do a much better job than any of the builtin's not sure why, but people can always tell on the other end when I'm suing one or the other (my wife's MB or my PB with external iSIght). I think building a camera into a Apple display is a a liitle tacky... I always saw apple's displays as "high end" for pro's. Jaming a little camera into the top of the display just seems like a low end thing to do in my optinion because the quality of the camera can't be that great. Rambling...
No more external iSights leaves Mac mini users out in the cold, since they're only option is to buy a relatively-expensive ACD, thus negating the whole cost benefit of buying a Mac mini in the first place.
why not get a third-party webcam instead? they do work with the mac, right?
Yes, Firewire webcams will work out of the box, whilst USB webcam require a shareware Driver that you can find on macupdate or versiontracker. Such webcams are also often signficiantly cheaper than the iSight.
It's good that Apple's including iSights in its displays (saying that the rumors are true). That way, Mac Minis & Pros can have them. But, having a stand-alone iSight would also be good for those people who don't want/can't have the new Apple display. Hopefully, the built-in iSIght would be better than those shipping now. Higher res, autofocusing w/ hardware, and able to manually shut it off.
Also, I hope the new displays also have an IR port & remote so that Mac Pros can use Frontrow, too, if they wanted. I know, many people who'd buy a Mac Pro might not use Front row, but at least have it there if they do.
I also hope the new displays have higher resolution, too. Just so those who need/want higher resolutions have them.
Also, I hope the new displays also have an IR port & remote so that Mac Pros can use Frontrow, too, if they wanted. I know, many people who'd buy a Mac Pro might not use Front row, but at least have it there if they do.
I also hope the new displays have higher resolution, too. Just so those who need/want higher resolutions have them.
It might actually be smart for Apple to discontinue iSight. They've had cameras in their laptops and iMacs for a year now, and if they go into displays they probably assume that they've already sold as many standalone iSights as they're going to sell, for where its cost effective to make them.
Not to mention that anyone else that wants iSight can just get a third party Firewire webcam. Apple may even begin carrying other ones in their retail stores.
However, I also wouldn't discount the possibility that Apple revives iSight at MacWorld in a refreshed form. Maybe they just ran out too quickly and don't want to make more of them since they're producing the new one.
As for the refreshed displays, here's hoping to they price them competitively.
Not to mention that anyone else that wants iSight can just get a third party Firewire webcam. Apple may even begin carrying other ones in their retail stores.
However, I also wouldn't discount the possibility that Apple revives iSight at MacWorld in a refreshed form. Maybe they just ran out too quickly and don't want to make more of them since they're producing the new one.
As for the refreshed displays, here's hoping to they price them competitively.
If they do all this, I hope they're fairly clever in how they handle cabling so that this thing doesn't have to plug into six different places on the Mac side....
although the built in isight is better for conferences, that is all it is good for...
i have a built in and a regular isight and i find that it is often convenient to switch to the other isight...
i sometimes put it in front of the widescreen tv and videoconference from the couch.
i have a built in and a regular isight and i find that it is often convenient to switch to the other isight...
i sometimes put it in front of the widescreen tv and videoconference from the couch.
i hope they have isight and isight-less versions available if they do. why would you need 2 isights if you have dual displays?
also i hope they intro a 17" model with 1440x900 resolution at a price point of $250-300.
also i hope they intro a 17" model with 1440x900 resolution at a price point of $250-300.
Float the rumor ...
I'll float the rumor that there will be a holder/charger built into future displays for the "iPhone" and ITS camera will serve as an iSight for Apple displays and for dektops.
I'll float the rumor that there will be a holder/charger built into future displays for the "iPhone" and ITS camera will serve as an iSight for Apple displays and for dektops.
Agreed, Apple shouldn't force the extra cost onto buyers of the iSight ... however, if the new displays had an iPod/iPhone dock on them ... I think that would be cool
While you may rightly be disappointed, calling it "unfair" is a wrong. This is not a matter of fairness.
Check out this $60 webcam.