OsX Compatible Webcams
- Thread starter Tenatious
- Start date
Virtually any modern webcam will work with a Mac through the generic driver.
However, what you won't get is an optimised webcam like you would for Windows. For example, last year I bought the Creative Livecam Socialize from OCUK, it's marketed as being Mac compatible.
Mac compatibility basically just means that you can plug it in and it will work, which it does. However, when I ran it on Windows with the drivers and included software it had a lot more functionality. Firstly the aspect ratio changed a little, the frame rate is smoother, the button on top of it will take a picture. There was also a number of things you could do with included software, from making silly faces to creating a security cam and controlling aspects like exposure.
Really I think you need to buy one that is marketed as Mac specific, I believe Logitech did one when I was looking, but it was expensive. There is Apple's old iSight available secondhand, but that's getting on a bit now.
What I'm using is fine for Skype and such. But if you were making videos for YouTube or something the quality isn't as good HD quality as it is under Windows.
However, what you won't get is an optimised webcam like you would for Windows. For example, last year I bought the Creative Livecam Socialize from OCUK, it's marketed as being Mac compatible.
Mac compatibility basically just means that you can plug it in and it will work, which it does. However, when I ran it on Windows with the drivers and included software it had a lot more functionality. Firstly the aspect ratio changed a little, the frame rate is smoother, the button on top of it will take a picture. There was also a number of things you could do with included software, from making silly faces to creating a security cam and controlling aspects like exposure.
Really I think you need to buy one that is marketed as Mac specific, I believe Logitech did one when I was looking, but it was expensive. There is Apple's old iSight available secondhand, but that's getting on a bit now.
What I'm using is fine for Skype and such. But if you were making videos for YouTube or something the quality isn't as good HD quality as it is under Windows.
Same situation here as Nexus. Be aware that some applications in OSX do not support widescreen cameras (at least on Snow Leopard). I have a Microsoft LifeCam Cinema which is 16:9 and some applications only support 4:3. Which applications, I can't remember off the top of my head as it's been a while since I used it on OSX (I relegated it to my Windows box and just use the iMac and MBP built in cameras) but I know that Photo Booth was one. Also, there's a complete lack of support for the LifeCam. It works, yes, but you are unable to do all the stuff you would regarding adjusting colours and more with the additional software on Windows.