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A Users Guide to Webcams for Apple Mac users

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Confused about what to buy or what VOIP interface to use?..

The new Apple macbooks and imacs come with webcams fully integrated into the housing of the computer, which is a great idea, but what if you aren't ready to buy a new mac and want to make your existing mac webcam friendly?

Is an expensive Apple iSight camera your only option? Fortunately, the answer is no!

This guide is a summary of the questions you might face when looking into buying a webcam for a mac and suggestions of how to overcome them.

I will also attempt to debunk some popular myths about the 'compatibility' of Apple Macs and Windows pcs!

We sell a great little 'icecam' usb webcam by Macally in our shop (shameless advertising, but true!)

It's designed with the mac in mind and works brilliantly. It's also really affordable, so for those who feel faint at spending the best part of £100 on an Apple iSight and/or don't wish to upgrade your existing laptop or pc to a model with an inbuilt cam, it's the perfect solution.

I've been inspired to write this guide purely because of the large number of questions I get asked not only about the webcam I sell, but about Apple Macs and webcams in general. As an Apple IT specialist, I am in a position to answer most of these questions, and rather than answer each question individually, I decided to write this guide in the form of Frequently asked Questions and Answers. I hope it's helpful!

Contents at a Glance

Does this webcam work with MSN Messenger...
My friend and I both have Macs. What's t...
But I need to use an Apple iSight camera...
But my friend has a PC. I have a Mac. So...
How about SKYPE Video?
How about AIM?

The camera certainly does work with msn messenger.
The problem is that even though it supports text chat between pcs and macs, Microsoft msn messenger for Mac does not presently support webcams (and it's about time Microsoft sorted it out: Macs are not a minority machine any more!)

This applies to ANY webcam you might buy for your mac.
However, some of our customers have had great success using amsn or msn mercury, which are free msn 'clones' which let you use your mac to talk to pc users on the msn network. A great solution for many people.

My friend and I both have Macs. What's the best interface for our webcams?

The best solution in terms of ease of use and image quality for two or more mac users is to use Skype or iChat video conferencing, (provided free with all recent macs and readily updatable on Apple's website).

But I need to use an Apple iSight camera to use iChat don't I?

No you don't! The Macally Icecam will work with iChat. You just need to download the appropriate driver. There are several websites where you can do this: a quick search will find them. One piece of software which works well is called iChatUSBCam. It costs less than $10 USD, and you get a 50% off voucher if you buy a Macally Icecam (ahem, like the one in my shop).

But my friend has a PC. I have a Mac. So iChat's no good! or is it?

Yahoo messenger is one option in this case..it works brilliantly and it's free, however the audio feature is not currently supported on the Mac, Or try msn mercury (see above).
Also check out ivisit, a piece of freeware which enables macs and pcs to communicate with cams, swap files etc.

How about SKYPE Video?

This is my chosen VOIP Interface and the one I would recommend using, due to its flexibility and video and audio support for Mac. In January 2007. Skype released new version of Skype video for mac OS X. It is freely downloadable at the Skype website, works perfectly with an IceCam and is quickly becoming the most popular and versatile Interface for PC and Mac users alike.

How about AIM?

There was a time when AIM or AOL messenger could talk to ichat users, but the latest upgrade to AIM (Triton) has scuppered that compatibility.

How do you attach your IceCam to my screen?

The icecam is set on a flexible neck which can bent into any position you like: on your desk, above your screen, no need to attach it to anything!

Does the Macally IceCam have a built in Microphone?

No. This is because the cam was made for the mac and nearly all macs have built in microphones anyway. You may be surprised to find you have a mic on your mac..it's not at all obvious. The easiest way to find out: go to system preferences / sound / input. As far as I know the only mac compatible cam which has a built in Mic is Apple's iSight.

Well I hope this clears a few points up! Please feel free to mail me with any additional questions and queries you may have.

If you've been told you can't use a webcam on your old Mac, sadly, you've been very misinformed.

So how do we set up a Camera on SKYPE?

I've had many people contact me with regards to setting up problems of Cameras on Skype. Here's a quick how to detailing what you need to do to get live video streaming on Skype. (If anyone from Skype is reading this, it may benefit you too!

1* First off, make sure you've installed your camera's drivers, these are usually supplied on a disc with the Camera or can be freely downloaded from the manufacturers website. Please make sure that no other camera drivers are installed at the same time as they will conflict with each other.

2* Make sure that you have installed the latest version of Skype (this is updated frequently) if you're using an older version of Skype it may not work with your Camera. If you're new to Skype, setting up an account couldn't be any easier, once installed just follow the prompts.

3* Reboot your computer - This is really important as it allows your computer to register the new software.

4* Once the above has been followed we're finally ready to plug the Camera in and below is a step by step guide to activating it on Skype.

Assuming, you have set up your Skype account and given yourself a name...

1) Click on Skype > Preferences > Video - Click on 'Enable Skype Video'- this should open a drop down box where you should see the camera you've plugged in. Select your Camera.

In the same Preference window you now also have the choice of selecting the following - make sure you select them all.

- When I am in a call start my video automatically

- Automatically receive video from people in my contact list.

- Show I have Video to people in my contact list

2) Once all of these have been selected, it's incredibly important you now close this preference window to activate - If you leave the window open you will not be able to use your camera.

3) Have fun and save money! communicate with friends and family with ease and kick yourself that you never did this before!

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A Users Guide to Webcams for Apple Mac users

Confused about what to buy or what VOIP interface to use?..

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Does this webcam work with MSN Messenger?

My friend and I both have Macs. What's the best interface for our webcams?

But I need to use an Apple iSight camera to use iChat don't I?

But my friend has a PC. I have a Mac. So iChat's no good! or is it?

How about SKYPE Video?

How about AIM?

How do you attach your IceCam to my screen?

Does the Macally IceCam have a built in Microphone?

So how do we set up a Camera on SKYPE?

I've had many people contact me with regards to setting up problems of Cameras on Skype. Here's a quick how to detailing what you need to do to get live video streaming on Skype. (If anyone from Skype is reading this, it may benefit you too!

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