Filed under: Multimedia, Software Update, Apple
10.4.9 Adds USB Camera Support for iChat; Xbox Camera Works
Here's a nice, easily overlooked tidbit from the release notes to the 10.4.9 update that we mentioned before: Apple has added support for USB Video Class cameras in iChat without the need of a third party driver a la iChatUSBCam from ecamm. A user in the MacRumors forums reports that the the Xbox Live Vision Camera (~$40) now works natively with the Mac. This should presumably be the case with other USB Video Class cameras as well, and while I would probably prefer a model from Logitech, the Xbox camera is widely available and relatively inexpensive. With iSights now unavailable this lends credence to the rumor of some sort of USB iSight replacements (or maybe Apple is just going to stay out of the webcam business altogether, given that iSights are built-into so many models now).[Via Digg]
Thanks to those who sent this in!
Update: Be sure to note that iChat in 10.4.9 only works natively with USB Video Class, not every USB webcam is Video Class.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rob Jones said 6:36PM on 3-18-2007
I've confirmed this is true. The Xbox camera works but only with USB2, not USB1.
Reply
Christopher Williams said 7:01PM on 3-18-2007
I would think that this signals that a USB iSight is on the way, and that it will be announced soon.
Reply
Dan Dickinson said 7:13PM on 3-18-2007
I would think putting a cam in the Cinema Displays would make more sense than putting out a standalone USB cam.
Reply
Jon said 7:21PM on 3-18-2007
#3: I'm not sure if they would do this as the Cinema Displays are geared more towards professionals.
Reply
Josh said 7:32PM on 3-18-2007
I've heard the Xbox one does not have a built in mic like both the iSight and the Eyetoy, which i've been using on my mac for a few months now...
Reply
drew said 7:47PM on 3-18-2007
My logitech cam Is working fine with Photobooth ( found it online to use with my mac mini) but it still isnt being recognized with ichat without ichatusb installed, I wish it would. Apples lack of support for usb webcams seems a little outdated.
Reply
Alex said 7:52PM on 3-18-2007
My logitec cam does not work. It shows up in apple hardware profile, but iChat does not see it.
Reply
Aron Trimble said 8:14PM on 3-18-2007
It makes perfect sense to put an iSight cam in the cinema displays and add support for "decent" USB cams that Apple will no longer be producing.
Reply
anon said 10:14PM on 3-18-2007
@ (#4) Jon,
The Apple Cinema Displays already incorporate USB 2.0 and FW400 ports. It wouldn't take much effort on Apple's part to incorporate an integrated USB 2.0 iSight camera, microphone and IR receiver into the display.
Here are my reasons:
1) The streamed lined nature of the all-in-one device is very Apple-like".
2) The Cinema Displays are long overdue for a revamp.
3) The cost is negligible while adding functionality and setting the higher priced Cinema Display as "must have" for Mac fanatics.
4) With every Mac--sans the Mac Pro--coming with a USB2.0 iSight camera, microphone and IR receiver it makes sense that Apple would to make this option available for its prosumer machine.
5) FrontRow is currently only included with Macs that have built-in cameras, but will be an included app with Leopard. Imagine having an external IR sensor for a Mac Pro and Cinema Display that is a 6 wire dangled wrapped and Velcroed from the tower to the display. Not a pretty site.
6) Since Apple has discontinued the FW400 iSight camera w/mic it's obvious that Apple plans to update this device. They have to include an IR sensor into the device for the reason mentioned above, and it very well could be an external USB2.9 device, but I think it will be included in a new Cinema Display.
Reply
walvis said 4:44AM on 3-19-2007
Just bought the Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000,
it works out of the box with:
- OSX 10.4.9
- plug it in a computer USB-port (not a hub)
- Make sure you buy the LATEST version of the pro 5000 (the one with a Windows Vista sign on the box). This camera is USB Video Class compatible
Reply
Ben Snyder said 10:21AM on 3-19-2007
I just purchased a Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000 as well. Works great out of the box in iChat and Skype. Also the microphone works too.
Reply
ShaleX said 11:36AM on 3-19-2007
Uhm EyeToys don't have built in Mics......
Reply
tofu said 12:08PM on 3-19-2007
I want a USB iSight.
Reply
Nick said 10:20PM on 3-19-2007
The built in iSights, since they were introduced, sat on the USB bus. The external ones were FireWire until they were dropped. I would imagine it was something similar to a flipped bit to activate them. ;)
Reply
Denis said 12:50AM on 3-20-2007
Does anyone who purchased the QuickCam 5000 know if it is plugged in a a USB 1.0 or 2.0 device? I only have USB 1.0 on my current machines and am looking for a decent, widely supported, and yet inexpensive web camera.
Reply
walvis said 9:36AM on 3-20-2007
@Denis
My mini has USB 2.0
I checked the requirements on the box of the Quickcam pro 5000, it says USB 1.0, 2.0 so I suppose you could give it a try
Reply
locobox said 6:06PM on 3-26-2007
Anyone knows if this camera works with xMeeting? (H.323 video conferencing)
Reply
Josh K said 12:18AM on 3-30-2007
I have a microsoft lifecam nx-6000 and I know it should work nativley now with ichat but doesn't. Does macam still need to be installed? Since I updated to Mac OS 10.4.9, ichatusbcam stopped working with ichat. It says the camera is in use by another app when it isn't. Anyone one know how to get it to work again anyway?
Reply
Mitch said 1:06PM on 3-30-2007
Josh, I have the same problem with an iMac G3. It no longer recognizes a USB 1.0 Logitech QuickCam that i had in use (via Macam and iChatUSBCam).
I had to revert to 10.4.8 in order to get it working again... iSight support is still there, however (FW isight works).
I noticed this, however, that w/o iChatUSBCam and macam installed, iChat wouldnt even recognize the webcam... but with them installed, it will recognize them but it'll say that they're 'in use' by another app.
It's really annoying... but i'd like to know if this is a USB 1.0 issue? Because if it is, boo on apple's part for (possibly?) putting a USB 2.0 restriction...
Reply
Ed Hopkins said 8:07AM on 6-01-2007
I just purchased a logitech quickcam Fusion Webcam and put it on my G4. (Dual processor, 1.25 giga herz with a USB 2.0 card installed). It works out of the box perfectly--
but--none of the special features that are avalable with the control software for PCs are available.
Anyone have any idea how to get those speical featues--face following, etc--working?
thanks
ed
Reply