Web Cams

[Nandragon]

I didn't know where to put this...software...hardware.....or stuff you wanna know...

Anyway....

I'm looking to buy a web cam. Have iMac 9.5. Went to store...all require windows. Now, I've seen a few sites that suggest that you download the mac software for web cams.

Does this mean that any software will work with any pc web cam?
how do I go about this?

Also, no experience with mac, but.....have a HD CD stuck in the unit. Would not eject. Went to untilities and it told me it was a HD disk and it could not be ejected.

I have not tried to reinstall it yet. But that was my next guess.
Any suggestions on either?

[thingy]

Moved to the appropriate forum.

[Drakin]

Not a mac guru, quick search showed this one, but isnt there a new sweet cam released with the g5??

http://www.unibrain.com/1394_products/fire-i_dig_cam/digital_camera_mac.htm

[rascuache]

Originally posted by Nandragon
Anyway....

I'm looking to buy a web cam. Have iMac 9.5. Went to store...all require windows. Now, I've seen a few sites that suggest that you download the mac software for web cams.

Does this mean that any software will work with any pc web cam?
how do I go about this?

Also, no experience with mac, but.....have a HD CD stuck in the unit. Would not eject. Went to untilities and it told me it was a HD disk and it could not be ejected.

I have not tried to reinstall it yet. But that was my next guess.
Any suggestions on either?


Firstly there is no such thing as OS 9.5
you either have OS 9.2 running or OS X

If you have an iMac, either of these will run. There are webcams out there for Mac, try going to an Apple-Store first or somewhere that specialises in Apple Computers. Apple have just released their iSight Webcam, designed especially for Apples. As long as you have USB though you should be able to get a webcam without trouble.

I'm confused by the rest of your post, is it a Compact Disc or a Hard Drive you are talking about? Where is it stuck? What sort of iMac is it (What colour is it).

Have you tried looking at the apple website? www.apple.com

[geggle]

Originally posted by Nandragon
Went to store...all require windows. Now, I've seen a few sites that suggest that you download the mac software for web cams. Since you have an iMac, it should have USB ports, so you'll be able to connect the webcam.

The real issue is getting Macintosh OS 9.x drivers that will work for the web cam. Once you've got the drivers, the webcam should show up in the same way as any other imaging device (e.g. scanner etc).

What I suggest you do, is go to the store, and get a complete list of the webcam brands and product numbers. Then go home and search their websites and see if they have drivers that will work with OS 9.5.
have a HD CD stuck in the unit.I don't quite understand you here. Do you mean that a CD is stuck in it (I assume so, since iMac's didn't have floppies)

If I remember correctly, there should be a small hole close to the slot for the CD. Take a strong paperclip and unbend it. Poke the paperclip in the hole, and the CD should come out.

Drop me a PM if you have problems.

[geggle]

I think the iSight requires FireWire, which may or may not be on that model of iMac.

[rascuache]

Originally posted by geggle
I think the iSight requires FireWire, which may or may not be on that model of iMac.

you're right, it is fire wire, only the new iMacs that look like lamp shades have fire wire

[Nandragon]

first it's a purple imac OX 9.2 upgraded
I need to understand what a fire wire is

the CD is a start up disk which came with the unit new.
it is stuck in the D:\ drive. I will look for the hole tonight geggle! thanks...Apple is NOTHING like mirosoft!

No, I haven't contacted the local apple dealer, he's the farking idiot that left the CD in! Also broke my new optical mouse and tried to sell me another for $80. he's the only one in the area.

Circuit City is the ONLY damn store around here beside Walmart that cells computer accessories. We have a Office Max, but they didn't have any damn web cams at all!

damn apple

[thingy]

Ahh, now it makes sense. Because you're booted from that disc, you cannot eject it.

Click on the apple, go to control panels, startup disk, and select "Macintosh HD" (or what ever you have renamed it to) and click on "reboot".

[rascuache]

No, Apple isn't much like PC, its better IMO but thats a whole nother kettle of fish

An explanation of FireWire (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60985)

Unfortunatley also with with the iSight camera you're supposed to have OS X installed and broadband internet

Ok, here's an article (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58465) on how to eject cd's manually from slot loading iMacs, (You have a purple one, that line of iMacs are slot loading)

I tried looking on the apple page for cross platform webcams however none came up in my search.

[Pirate]

Logitech have a bunch of USB web cams that are mac compatible and come with drivers and software for the mac.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/productlist&CRID=20&countryid=19&languageid=1

[oracle]

How can you spot a PC-person using a Mac?

They call the CD-ROM drive "D:\"

:D

Just had a quick look and found this http://www.ivisit.info/

Will keep looking and post anything that might be helpful. You could also try asking in Mac newsgroups.

[Nandragon]

I was in a mac group at one time, but they kept telling me to refer to the manual.

Oracle: good point which leads me to next question: Where on the damn HD will you find A:\, C:\ or the D:\?
i finally found my internet cookies!

Rasch....great help! great help! will store the site to favs. Course it's probably on the damn browser already, and I've just not looked...

esplain: FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed.

Thank you guys SOoooooo much...you don't know how much time and money you just saved me.

Thanks too pirate, I wondered about V-tech...though the couple of models that Circuit City had on the shelf were for windows only.

Thanks again guys and gals!

[oracle]

First of all, I should mention that "FireWire" is Apple copywrited term for the IEEE1394 standard. As a side note, on Sony products, it's called "iLink." Most people just call any iteration of it "FireWire" as Apple came up with the term pretty early on, and it's easier to remember than a series of numbers... so it kinda stuck.

Secondly, Apple uses a completely different naming convention for their drives compared to Windows. For starters, your iMac probably has no floppy (A:\) anyway, so you needn't worry about that one. The hard drive (C:\) is just referred to as the "Macintosh HD" which I believe you can rename to whatever you like, eg. "Nan's Mac-Daddy" etc. As you would probably expect by now, the CD-ROM isn't called "D:\" either. When you insert a disk, a new icon for it should be created on the desktop. Simply drag that icon to the Trash to eject the disk.

In addition, if you insert an external floppy drive, hard drive, digital camera, etc, you're also likely to get a new icon on the desktop for this, rather than a drive letter assigned to it. The thing is, basically the drives are there, just like they are on a PC, but they are named differently.

[IML337]

Originally posted by rascuache
What sort of iMac is it (What colour is it).

hehehe "what colour is it?" :D That's funny.

as you were...

[oracle]

Mac experts (not myself) can tell which version of iMac it is simply by the colour.

This can also let them know what type of hardware/hardware features it is likely to have, among other things.

Now... As you were!

[Nandragon]

Yarrrr...I likes Mac Daddy!

OK, i understand now about the drives and icons.

however Periphreal...whatzits, I'm still fuzzy. Periphreal meaning that the firewire handles the "drivers" (drivers being software that runs (optical) hardware) ?

[BSS]

Originally posted by oracle
First of all, I should mention that "FireWire" is Apple copywrited term for the IEEE1394 standard. As a side note, on Sony products, it's called "iLink." Most people just call any iteration of it "FireWire" as Apple came up with the term pretty early on, and it's easier to remember than a series of numbers... so it kinda stuck.


Actually, the word "Firewire" was adopted as the official name for IEEE1394 over a year ago. Whether it be on a Mac, PC or whatever.

http://news.com.com/2100-1040-928089.html
http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020506S0041

[thingy]

Originally posted by Nandragon
I was in a mac group at one time, but they kept telling me to refer to the manual.

Oracle: good point which leads me to next question: Where on the damn HD will you find A:\, C:\ or the D:\?
i finally found my internet cookies!

You don't. Drives don't go by letters as they do on PC's, they go simply by the volume name. The main HDD that has the system files and applications is usually called "Macintosh HD" by default (this can easily be renamed to what ever you like). The CD-ROM drive doesn't appear until you insert a CD, and it typically has a CD icon, and is called what ever the CD is labelled as. Same with all other types of drives (firewire, usb, scsi, ZIP Drives etc).

Oracle, "firewire" used to be Apple-copyrighted so only they could use it, but that is no more. Other companies may now call their IEEE 1394 devices "firewire" as well with out the slightest hint of a lawsuit.

Nan, a peripheral is basically anything you can plug into a computer. Firewire doesn't handle them, it is simply a means of connection. Your computer must already have the drivers / extensions installed to control the device. When you get the digital camera, read the instructions first. Some devices prefer you to install the software before plugging it in, some are the other way around. Some, the OS will already have drivers that can work with the device, others you'll have to install off the CD.

[rascuache]

To add to thingy's post there are alot of devices that have drivers that come with the Mac OS, well with OS X anyway.

Fire wire is alot faster that USB, its become popular for use with Digital Camcorders, Webcams and sometimes Digital Cameras.

I'd say with a webcam, you'd have to install the drivers first and then plug it in as OS 9.2 doesnt come with webcam drivers, just modem drivers.

IML337, if you like i could say all the stuff that did come with the fruity coloured iMacs, and then the series after that and then the new ones......but i won, cause i'll bore everyone to tears with my MAC obsessiveness

[oracle]

Ok, I was wrong about the FireWire thing before, so I could also be wrong about this...

As far as FireWire being faster than USB, well it depends on the version. FireWires theoretical maximum throughput is 400Mbps, and USB2.0 is 480Mbps.

However, FireWire2 is on it's way which will hve theoretical maximum throughput of 800Mbps, and I believe it's design specification allow for up to 1600Mbps, so maybe we'll see FireWire3 sometime down the track

[kré]

Originally posted by oracle
Ok, I was wrong about the FireWire thing before, so I could also be wrong about this...

As far as FireWire being faster than USB, well it depends on the version. FireWires theoretical maximum throughput is 400Mbps, and USB2.0 is 480Mbps.

However, FireWire2 is on it's way which will hve theoretical maximum throughput of 800Mbps, and I believe it's design specification allow for up to 1600Mbps, so maybe we'll see FireWire3 sometime down the track

i heard that FireWire87 will have a theoretical maximum of Eleventy Billion Mbps. can anyone confirm?

[IML337]

Originally posted by rascuache
IML337, if you like i could say all the stuff that did come with the fruity coloured iMacs, and then the series after that and then the new ones......but i won, cause i'll bore everyone to tears with my MAC obsessiveness

I wasn't poking fun, I just found it kind of amusing that you can say to someone "what colour is your computer" and from that be able to determine the features/spec of their machine.

Though I can picture that in a helldesk situation you'd ask a user what colour their iMAC is and being a typical user they'd most definately give you the wrong answer, thereby screwing up your diagnosis, even though you asked the simplest possible question :rolleyes:

[Nandragon]

Let me see if I got this right...
If I have a firewire, I wouldn't have a USB port? That doesn't sound right.

So, what I need to do...
if I want a cheaper version web cam, is download the driver or software from Kazza and then plug in the web cam. Correct?

Hurray! You guys! Thank You!
The CD is FREE! And it was one I loaded. :(

It's productive helpfull threads like this one that make zgeek what it is! Not one bullshit response in this thread. *oops, this is the technical isn't it!*

But thanks! Really. I know these are basic, elementary questions to all of you, but I REALLY appreciate all your help!

[oracle]

I don't know as much about Mac's as rascuache, but I'd hazard a guess you have 0 FireWire ports, and 2 USB ports. In addition, your keyboard is probably a USB hub, with 2 extra usb ports on either side.

Basically, as I see it, you would need to find a USB WebCam that has drivers for OS-9. The drivers may be either made by the manufacturer of the Cam, by a third-party company, or possibly made by a Mac enthusiest.

Working in tech support, and owning a new iMac has helped me know a little about Mac's, but please someone correct me on any wrong info

Here's some other stuff that might help: -

This is the USB symbol. Look on the side of your Mac. If you see this symbol, then the ports next to this symbol are USB.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~joshua.y/forumpic/usb-smbl.gif

The above symbol is also usually on the box of any USB compatible product. Otherwise, this logo may appear on the box, instead.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~joshua.y/forumpic/usb-logo.gif

Also, in the interests of informing you, this is what the FireWire symbol looks like.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~joshua.y/forumpic/fw-smbl.gif

[Nandragon]

Originally posted by oracle
I don't know as much about Mac's as rascuache, but I'd hazard a guess you have 0 FireWire ports, and 2 USB ports. In addition, your keyboard is probably a USB hub, with 2 extra usb ports on either side.

Basically, as I see it, you would need to find a USB WebCam that has drivers for OS-9. The drivers may be either made by the manufacturer of the Cam, by a third-party company, or possibly made by a Mac enthusiest.

Working in tech support, and owning a new iMac has helped me know a little about Mac's, but please someone correct me on any wrong info

Here's some other stuff that might help: -

This is the USB symbol. Look on the side of your Mac. If you see this symbol, then the ports next to this symbol are USB.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~joshua.y/forumpic/usb-smbl.gif

The above symbol is also usually on the box of any USB compatible product. Otherwise, this logo may appear on the box, instead.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~joshua.y/forumpic/usb-logo.gif

Also, in the interests of informing you, this is what the FireWire symbol looks like.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~joshua.y/forumpic/fw-smbl.gif

You are absolutely correct. The terminology is what throws me off when you guys ask me questions. This was much simpler for me to understand, thank Oracle!

I don't believe I've seen the firewire symbol though.

ok...so now I need to start looking at model numbers. To get 3rd party driver.
You know there are some web cams out there for $19?!

[Nandragon]

damn apple

[Drakin]

Originally posted by Nandragon
damn apple

Okay get some brown sugar and crumble topping..

Cut up your apple,
Cover with brown sugar and crumble topping,
Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes on 180'c

Pour custard over and serve...

YUM!


These are the Technical Forums. Read the rules and STAY ON TOPIC!

[geggle]

Nan, the hardest part is going to be finding drivers that will work with the cam. Determining which drivers work with a cam is going to be hard.

What with the cost of the drivers, plus the cam, you could work out spending the same as a decent one anyway.

Also, those cheap cams may take shitty images (even shittier than normal webcams).

As a webcam is essentially a toy, I'd think carefully before laying down the moola.

[Nandragon]

well...

I guess I'll just have to wait till I get the 35mm developed then (if I ever remember the darn film). so...you'll have to wait for those boobage shots....

[johny_roberts]

Originally posted by Nandragon
well...

I guess I'll just have to wait till I get the 35mm developed then (if I ever remember the darn film). so...you'll have to wait for those boobage shots....

....Now I for one love boobage shots... Show us the boobage




These are the Technical Forums. Read the rules and STAY ON TOPIC!

[Nandragon]

:banana:




These are the Technical Forums. Read the rules and STAY ON TOPIC! (even if it is your thread)

[scathing]

Originally posted by geggle
What with the cost of the drivers, plus the cam, you could work out spending the same as a decent one anyway.

You mean that, with Macs, you have to buy the drivers of a shitty web cam separately from the hardware itself? They don't come with the cam (or available as a free download from the manufacturer's site)? Well, fuck ever buying a Macintosh.

[thingy]

I would like to take this moment to remind everyone of the rules of the Tales of Technical Woe area. They are for tech talk ONLY. NO idle chatter. If there is any more beyond this post, it WILL be deleted, now keep on topic or fear the nazi-moderation wrath!

:: druid : oops, looks like you beat me to it... ::

[Nandragon]

Not only have I had problems with the web cam. I had to upgrade my OS9 imac just to install a printer. The laser light mouse was $80, thank god I found a v-tech!

So, I won't be buying a web cam anytime soon. Geesh, I was wanting a scanner, but I guess that's out of the question.
I think i'll be getting a PC first of the year. Who know...I just got photoshop for the mac...(thank you dood!)

[rascuache]

Originally posted by Nandragon
Not only have I had problems with the web cam. I had to upgrade my OS9 imac just to install a printer.

WHAAAAAT!!!!??? What sort of printer was it? You shouldnt have had to do that....unless you only just upgraded, and those iMacs run better on OS 9 anyway, as long as its OS 9.2.2

yo can get that from here (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75186)

The laser light mouse was $80, thank god I found a v-tech!
Why do you need one of those? I got a plain old radioshack one from Tandy out here, that was USB and plugged it into my Powerbook and it worked straightaway. Sorry dear, you go ripped off there, as long as the mouse is USB it should work, it doesnt need to be a special Apple one.

Geesh, I was wanting a scanner, but I guess that's out of the question.

Once again, thats so very wrong....i've bought 2 usb scanners, okay it was from an Apple Centre, but they were HP and Cannon USB scanners and they came with Mac Drivers. Just do your homework, look on the Apple site, and DONT get fucked around by some podgy pimply sales man who doesnt have a fucking clue what he's doing. and if it doesnt work, keep your receipt and take it back and keep doing that til you get one that does work.

I think i'll be getting a PC first of the year. Who know...I just got photoshop for the mac...(thank you dood!)

You give up too easily. Take some time to get to know your iMac, look up help, read the manual if you can, it will help too, the more you know about it the less chance you will have of being fucked around by people looking to take advantage....

....and if you're getting a PC you can give me that copy of Photoshop because i will put it to some good use, especially if its photoshop 7, that runs on OS X :D

[rascuache]

Originally posted by scathing
You mean that, with Macs, you have to buy the drivers of a shitty web cam separately from the hardware itself?

No, you dont, you just have do to a bit of research and get a decent one that does come with drivers and software. If you dont do that bit of research you're looking to get ripped off, and if you do get ripped off you deserved to anyway for being so fucking stupid. This applies to purchasing any piece of computer related equipment regardless of your chosen platform.

God, owning a Mac Does NOT put you on a separate planet. I wish everyone would quit talking about Macs like they are completely alien technology Because they're not!!!!!

[Nandragon]

I bought the mac because it was $350 NEW. And I'm a graphic artist. I did not know then that I couldn't just walk in a store and NOT get compatible goodies.

Yes, you can get compatible goodies but at extra cost.

My mouse mysteriously was broken when returned from the upgrade. The mac was OS9.0, not enough memory to run a printer. I got upgraded and went ahead and bought an epson from the dealer. He wasn't pimply faced either. He was about 50ish, tool belt, glasses kinda like the maytag repairman, except no but crack:p

So, I have more memory now. Before Imovie wouldn't even run. Note to self, check imovie. Which is another reason I bought the mac. I'm a video editor too.

You guys have been a big help! really. I set the computer up the other day so the princess couldn't go messing around in the operating files OR my files. It's a learning process.

Rasch...I cannot access apple support. My warranty ran out long ago. the mac has been sitting idle this whole time.
Also, how much more did you pay for the scanner you bought?

[rascuache]

You can access apple support via the website, everyone can, even me, and my warranty on my powerbook ran out this year....(grrrrrr). They have a very comprehensive knowledge database. I use it quite a bit

My scanners were about 100-250 each,
they're not as good as my old nikon scsi scanner in quality but they work. (Thats Au dollars so they'll be cheaper for yank land)

if you want iMovie to run correctly you should think about upgrading to OS X, it handles memory and peripherals better than OS 9, however you have to upgrade the firmware on your mac before you do, once again, the firmware upgrades are available from the apple website for free, plus a complete list of instructions.

[sortius]

nandragon.... to me it sounds like you really need to get a reality check when it comes to computers, I shall explain:

You seem to want to follow other people's orders when it comes to dealing with system problems, rather than consulting a) the internet, b) various professionals and enthusiasts who are more than willing to help, and lastly, c) more than ONE SHOP...

The whole idea of USB is 100% cross platformability. Myself, I have a digital camera from Kodak, it's a DC5000. Now, I know it only came with Windows drivers, however, when I plugged it into both a Linux and MacOS machine, I had it running and getting pictures off it... why? because I looked around, found the drivers for both operating systems, and put this technology to work. I didnt sit there and complain about how it didnt work when I plugged it in. I didnt sit there and blame MacOS or Linux when it didnt run. I did something about it. I can see from your posts that you have an "I cant do it, so I'll winge untill someone does it for me" attitude. Try doing something for yourself, try using this great expanse called the internet to figure things out, rather than saying "It sucks, I cant do it".

[Nandragon]

:rolleyes:

I'm glad you know me sooo well. You might quit trying to read between the lines.

WTF am I doing if not utilizing YOU guys?
Shit, i didn't even know what a damn driver was till someone pointed me in that direction!

AND there is ONLY ONE DAMN SHOP in this po-dunk town, butt head!

If you don't know the questions to ask, then how are you going to do a damn google search? Hmmmmm?

And all I've said was Damn Apple. Do you know HOW MANY ppl around my town even KNOW what one is? maybe 10. And I don't know NOT ONE DAMN ONE OF THEM.

How many do I know HERE ON ZGEEK? At least 5.

Thank you SO much for your VALUABLE input.

_______________________

*with much sincerity*
Thank YOU Rascuache

I've had trouble finding what I wanted on the apple site. Probably cause I don't know what the technical terms mean.

[rascuache]

Oki Dokey Nan, i think i've found something on the US apple site which will be of much use to you, i didnt know this thing existed until i discovered it today looking up compatible Palm computers....

Its called apple guide, and it lists all the products, hardware and software that will work with the mac, one thing i should warn though, most products listed there say OS X, you may have to look further for OS 9 compatibility. Because i thought of you when i found it, i did a search on webcams and here is the link to the results

Made4Mac (http://guide.apple.com/action.lasso?-database=MacOSGuide&-layout=cgi_search&-search&-response=ussearch/hitlist.html&-maxrecords=20&-noresultserror=uscategories/noresultscat.html&cfc=1243)

I whole heartedly suggest you bookmark this site as i believe it will be an invaluable tool for you and save you much trouble in future when looking for products.

[Nandragon]

:banana:

Done!