New Displays at MacWorld?

[Liquidog]

Uhh, something important has not been mentioned here...

What about the size difference between the stand-alone iSight and the built-in model? The original iSight is what, about 6 inches long, 1.5 inches in diameter? (Just guessing based on limited personal experience.) The ones built in to macbooks, etc, are quite a bit smaller than that. Perhaps Apple has just pulled the iSight to make way for a much, much smaller version of the same product. Look at the iPod, it's gotten smaller and smaller.

Maybe Apple will even make a foray into the digicam market with a combination iSight/minidv cam? Imagine an iSight, but much smaller, with a USB port for attaching to the computer, and attached flash memory, maybe even the same sizes used in the iPod nano. Such a device could be used both as a webcam, and as a hand held dv cam. It would use existing technology, so it would be fairly cheap. I mean, you could probably take the casing of an iSight, squeeze a whole iPod nano in there, and still have room for the version of iSight that's built in to the macbooks right now.

Someone mentioned how a DV cam would be overkill for video chat. Well, if it was Apple branded, and did double duty as a webcam, with maybe a 250 dollar price point for an 8gig model... it would be an incredible companion product to iMovie.

iSight becomes iCamera?


orrrr, even better: an iPod with a modular design. A new, small iSight could be one such module - when it's attached, the iPod becomes a video camera. This would work beautifully with a full screen/touch screen iPod. Plus, you could record a serious amount of video with the kind of storage an iPod offers, and even the current models have screens that are designed for video playback, so again, existing technology would be utilized, keeping the price down.

enough. discuss.

 

[samh004]

In any case, I wouldn't buy anything from Apple until after Macworld

Too right.

I reckon they have discontinued the iSight in Europe and the US for the lead reason and are trying to sell out stocks elsewhere for a new improved model, to be released at MWSF, probably at a different price point, so current orders wouldn't match up if they let people order the old model, then sent them the new ones instead.

I reckon it'll be USB based, somehow, and be a lot smaller than the original external camera but have better resolution at the same time. Maybe not HD, but who really can stream an HD-webcam these days ? Sure a few people can, but not the general population.

That's probably the most logical thing that'll happen, and Steve will make a big deal about how he squashed something far better into a smaller space. It'll take up 20 minutes of his keynote.

As for the reason for this thread, primarily new displays at MWSF. I just hope they don't look like the current iMac form factor, going from an even surface at the back to an angled one. You know what I'm talking about... the sneaky way they make the depth (from a side view) look thinner.

 

[daneoni]

Isn't this suicide. A lot of goverment agencies and even public ones use those displays and many hate any camera equipment in their buildings. Won't they be losing sales?.

At least make iSight integration optional?? and for the love of me please make them height adjustable.

 

[elppa]

This is unfortunate for Mac Mini users on a budget. The Mac mini + CinemaDisplay combo is hardly a bargain for budget hunters. That means that Mac mini users will be left without an economically viable iChat A/V solution.

That strikes me as rather unfair.

Unless Apple bring out an affordable 17 inch display.

But it does rather take the bring your own display part out of bring your own display, keyboard and mouse.

 

[~Shard~]

MacScoop seems to think the new Apple displays will include HDMI, presumably to interface with the iTV.

 

[BWhaler]

I think this is a very smart move for Apple. (The fact that the pro line had no way of using Front Row and no elegant iSight solution was odd.)

Sucks for me though. I bought a 30" display about a month ago. Not bummed about it since I don't really use Front Row or the iSight camera. But it's never fun buying old tech so close to an update. No worries...

But back to the main point, if true, this is a great move for Apple.

 

[aswitcher]

MacScoop seems to think the new Apple displays will include HDMI, presumably to interface with the iTV.

I do wonder why Apple haven't shifted all their DVIs to HDMI (maybe not pro machines) given the size.

 

[gkarris]

Don't really use iSight, I have a cheap webcam. Seems like I'm paying extra for something I don't use. What is the built in iSight goes bad? You have to send the entire display in to get it fixed....

 

[kenaustus]

OK.. real question now.

Who cares about isights?

Does anyone really do video chats?

I did with my wife when traveling overseas on long business trips. Now my wife is having daily chats with her brother in Australia. She has long stays in the hospital for chemo treatments and the iSight is a blessing for both her and her brother. The grandkids also love the video chats. Our iSights are worth far more than I paid to get them and I hope there is a new version announced at MWSF.

 

[AppliedVisual]

MacScoop seems to think the new Apple displays will include HDMI, presumably to interface with the iTV.

Er... Maybe. But that would only make sense if they were to start incorporating speakers or would provide a secondary port to save consumers the trouble of dealing with a DVI to HDMI adapter. Many PC video cards now offer HDMI ports and include adapters... Few monitor makers have started incorporating HDMI ports unless they want the monitor to also be used as a TV or A/V display. HDMI ports also make little sense on the 30" displays as well as upcoming higher resolution 24" to 42" and larger 2K~8K panels that I'm assuming Apple will have along with other makers like Samsung, Sony, Dell, etc..

IMO, HDMI ports on video cards and computer monitors is more of a marketing gimmick than a real functionality. Even with the latest HDMI 1.3 standard, it is still a subset of DVI 1.1, rolled into a mini connector along with 8 channels of digital audio.

 

[skellener]

Not sure this is such a great move on Apple's part. I also won't vote because the option I would select isn't there.

It would be better to keep offering both the standalone iSight by itself, and monitors available with and without the iSight built-in. It's better to give the customer a "choice" rather than limit their options. There are plenty of places that love Apple monitors that may not feel comfortable with cameras built-in to them. Studios for example.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great if they offer monitors WITH the iSight. I just think they should keep selling the regular ones along with the standalone iSight. Everyone has different needs. More options are better for filling them.

 

[Xapplimatic]

Not unfair.. just not the best idea..

This is unfortunate for Mac Mini users on a budget. The Mac mini + CinemaDisplay combo is hardly a bargain for budget hunters. That means that Mac mini users will be left without an economically viable iChat A/V solution.

That strikes me as rather unfair.

Unibrain makes a FireWire camera that works without drivers on any Mac and is iChat A/V compatible for half the cost of the Apple external iSight. It has a built-in clip that will clamp onto any flat panel display. I recommend it.

I can't understand how it would be problematic for Apple to make a lead-free external iSight being that the internal cameras must be lead-free to be compliant and they are still on the market. Why not just mount an internal camera in an exterior housing with a slap-on USB 2 or FireWire interface? How hard could it be?

I do think it unwise to drop the external camera because the whole point of the Mac:mini was to bring your own mouse/monitor/keyboard.. But if Apple doesn't want to profit on camera upgrades, then perhaps their stores should carry competing camera solutions like the Unibrain cam.

 

[GoCubsGo]

How hard can it be to keep lead out of iSights? If they can do it for their computers, why not the peripherals? I still think pro displays don't really need iSight.

I agree 100% Also, thinner more mobile display? WTF?

 

[Evangelion]

Apple displays are professional displays. How many pros would even use this web cam?

potentially quite a few. and is there a law that denys non-pros from using it?

It would increase the cost of the displays for everyone that doesn't want it.

the built-in firewire and usb increase the cost for those who do not nee it. just about all prroducts have features that you do not need, yet we dont whine about those. and what if they added the camera, improved the specs and sold it for same or less money?

What if you duel or triple Apple displays on your workspace? You would have useless web cams on the other displays.

yes you would. so frigging what? you would also have useless usb- and firewire hubs as well. what if you only need 2 usb-ports in your computer and no firewire, woud you then complain about "useless features" if your computer had 2+ usb-ports and firewire? are you complaining about firewire 800, expresscard-slot and backlit keyboard in mbp if you do not need them? no you do not.

and if you really dont want to pay for "usrless features", go buy something else.

[quoteBut I would never buy an Apple display because they are overpriced and under-featured.[/QUOTE]

first you complain about "useless features", and then you complain because they do not have enough features?

 

[AppliedVisual]

the built-in firewire and usb increase the cost for those who do not nee it. just about all prroducts have features that you do not need, yet we dont whine about those. and what if they added the camera, improved the specs and sold it for same or less money?

Yep... I fully expect the new line of cinema displays to have built-in iSight. Apple has it on all the iMac and portable systems. The ACD line is definitely getting an update soon.. It has to. They're still using older panels and the 23" Hitachi panel they're using has reached EOL. I also don't see the built-in cameras being optional. It would cost Apple more to product configurable monitors with a modular camera than it would to simply put a camera in all of them.

I'm betting we see new 20", 24" and 30" monitors at MWSF. We may see other sizes, I know some people would like a 17" and Samsung is close to shipping 37" and 42" panels that would be of interest to some as well. Maybe Apple could use those.

 

[Evangelion]

I do wonder why Apple haven't shifted all their DVIs to HDMI (maybe not pro machines) given the size.

for starters, hdmi-connetors are crap. i'm talking about the physical connectors. dvi-connectors are a lot more robust. hdmi-cables are quite thick, and the connector that need to hold the weight of the cable is quite flimsy in comparison.

 

[AppliedVisual]

for starters, hdmi-connetors are crap. i'm talking about the physical connectors. dvi-connectors are a lot more robust. hdmi-cables are quite thick, and the connector that need to hold the weight of the cable is quite flimsy in comparison.

...Yep. And as I said above, HDMI is a subset or group of standards with an alternative (consumer-oriented) connector based on the broader DVI spec. It makes little sense to offer HDMI connectors unless they're going to be incorporating audio functions into the display and/or they wish to try and "simplify" connetions for the consumer. HDMI is also limited to single-link connections for now since the dual-link support was yanked near the last minute from the HDMI 1.3 spec since it would require a new connector. Therefore, HDMI can't transmit the DL signal needed to run the higher resolutions of the 30" displays and other new higher resolution displays coming to market.

 

[intlplby]

a more mobile display would be sweet, now i can easily steal an apple cinema display and put it on my desk

 

[longofest]

Isn't this suicide. A lot of goverment agencies and even public ones use those displays and many hate any camera equipment in their buildings. Won't they be losing sales?.

At least make iSight integration optional?? and for the love of me please make them height adjustable.

Had the same complaint when they started making all of the laptops with iSights built in. You can't get one without it. So, basically, most of the government is left out. But, you could always use another monitor with a Mac Pro or Mac Mini...

 

[3282872]

As I have a 23" Aluminum HD Display, I'm psyched to see what the next line-up will include. However I'm also a little anxious as I spent almost $2,000 on this monitor when they first came out in '04. If the new displays are priced that high again, I'm thinking I might pass, especially when $2,000+ can get you a sweet 42" plasma or LCD tv with HDMI and DVI inputs. Love everything Apple, but they need to re-think their price points...

 

[vendettabass]

If the new displays are priced that high again, I'm thinking I might pass, especially when $2,000+ can get you a sweet 42" plasma or LCD tv with HDMI and DVI inputs.

yup... higher price & I wont be able to grab one in Feb! iSights, thinner, and more USB please

 

[OdduWon]

iDisplay

They may also be aiming to bring out new sizes of LCDs possibly with multimedia etc, thus distinguishing them from current models.

In any case, I wouldn't buy anything from Apple until after Macworld

Are you saying that apple may design new displays with Front row in them?
this could take off as a companion to ipod. A sort of jukeBox perhaps. this combined with the rumors of the new HI-FI and new keyboard/dock could suggest a new jukebox like product. though it will be said that the cheapest imac would be just as good. I think it would be cool to have a flat display on a wall in your living room, and when you come home, it identifies your TelePod or iPod and begins to play a slideshow or playlist that you have setup. Apple would certainly be the right choice to bring this in to the now.

 

[retroneo]

Displays and Macs will use UDI

Apple isn't pushing HDMI for computer connections, they are pushing UDI.

http://www.udiwg.org/

 

[AidenShaw]

Just kill the tacky white plastic....

The current monitors have those tacky white plastic end caps - why does the monitor have to match a cheap MP3 player?

The CDs also have a pretty fat bezel, much wider than competing monitors.

Aiden's suggestions: Narrow the bezels, get rid of the tacky white plastic, and offer the frames in brushed aluminium and black-anodized aluminium.

But, never mind, since I only buy Samsung SyncMasters and Dell monitors.

 

[superleccy]

Update: MacScoop/MacOSXRumors indicates that Apple's new displays may include an HDMI connector and support HDCP.

This was good news... I was going to buy a Cinema Display next year anyway.

But if it comes handicapped by HDCP, then Apple can shove it. I'm not having Intel, Apple or anyone telling me what I can and can't watch.

SL