Webcam, sound card? and scanner for iMac G5?

[Willy S]

1. Do I need a usb sound card to be able to connect my Creative 5.1 surround system or can I get a digital optical cable with 5 inputs?

2. My Panasonic G-120 camcorder, webcam feature doesn´t seem to work with Macs. So I guesss I need a webcam; what is the best buy?

3. Scanner. I don´t know anyting about scanners, but my wife needs one mac compatitble that scans texts and graphics FAST. We had a Printer/Scanner and the driver that came with it sucks with the iMac...and it is slooooow. She won´t be scanning any films, so a *normal* resolution is fine.

Please suggest what is best to buy. I´m a bit on a budget so I´m looking for the best price/quality ratio.

Thanks!

 

[Willy S]

Anyone?

 

[iGary]

1. Do I need a usb sound card to be able to connect my Creative 5.1 surround system or can I get a digital optical cable with 5 inputs?

2. My Panasonic G-120 camcorder, webcam feature doesn´t seem to work with Macs. So I guesss I need a webcam; what is the best buy?

3. Scanner. I don´t know anyting about scanners, but my wife needs one mac compatitble that scans texts and graphics FAST. We had a Printer/Scanner and the driver that came with it sucks with the iMac...and it is slooooow. She won´t be scanning any films, so a *normal* resolution is fine.

Please suggest what is best to buy. I´m a bit on a budget so I´m looking for the best price/quality ratio.

Thanks!

1. I don't know.

2. iSight - believe me. It fits right nicely on the top of the iMac with a magnet.

3. I like the Canon lide scanners for average home use. No muss no fuss.

 

[Willy S]

Thanks for the iSight tip. When I was searching info about iSight I noticed that I could just hook my camcorder through the firewire and use it as a webcam with excellent quality!

So now I only need to find a fast scanner and some solution for my surround system.

 

[mduser63]

I'm not really if the iMac G5 has an optical output. If it does, you only need one cable to hook up your surround sound system. All 5 channels get carried on the same (digital) optical cable.

EDIT: I just checked Apple's webpage, and yes, the iMac G5 (current generation anyway) has an optical output. It looks like it's got a mini TOSlink connector as the optical output seems to be combined with the headphone jack. You most likely need a cable with a mini TOS connector on one end, and a regular TOS connector on the other. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[homerjward]

iirc the rev. a imac g5 didnt have the surround out of teh rev b models, so you'd probably need a usb sound card.

 

[Willy S]

Hmmm ok!

What external usb sound card do you suggest? Creative Audigy 2 isn´t supported?

 

[RJP31484]

iirc the rev. a imac g5 didnt have the surround out of teh rev b models, so you'd probably need a usb sound card.

The rev B's DEF. DO have an optical out.

 

[Macky-Mac]

canon 8400F scanner is doing a good job for me if you're still looking....it has slide and some film scanning features if you need that