MAC COMPATIBLE WEBCAMS THAT *JUST WORK!*
CONNECT & SHARE - WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Buy a fully Macintosh friendly UVC compatible web cam! Have USB 2.0 Ports? Hundreds of different video conferencing cameras made for the Windows PC market simply DO NOT WORK & Apple Macintosh and Mac cam drivers may not exist. Models listed here are simply Plug & Play on modern Macs running OSX 10.4.11 & Leopard 10.5.x. Save yourself wasted money & frustration. Make certain you have USB 2.0 ports on your Mac - then confidently choose one of the known-working driverless UVC webcam models listed below.


HASSLE-FREE: UVC - UNIVERSAL USB 2.0 VIDEO CLASS CAMS

UVC is a new compatibility standard in USB video-chat cameras. The iSight now built into recent iMac & MacBook models is compliant. Apple's Kernel Extensions in Mac OSX Tiger & Leopard means ANY UVC based USB cam will Just Work when plugged in. No webcam drivers required. Windows Vista also natively supports UVC class video cameras; these listed are good Cross-Platform PC webcams - and Linux choices as well.

Can You Digg it? StumbleUpon This Page For Easy Reference!


THE SMART CHOICE: PLUG-N-PLAY OS X WEBCAM PICKS
Known UVC Compliant Cams - Last Updated: October 30th, 2008

#1 SMART CHOICE: Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac
The new Mac Vision webcam is now more affordable than ever at Amazon with recent competitive pricing from 3rd-party sellers.
Like: Hardware-based Autofocus and RightLight2. No software needed. Quality Carl Zeiss glass lens, built-in microphone, desktop or laptop mount
Dislike: Nuttin! It's the best USB webcam for Mac made to date!
FYI: While the Vision Pro appears to be a cosmetically redesigned 9000 Pro with gray and silver case, it is VERY DIFFERENT ON THE INSIDE. The Quickcam Vision Pro's Auto Focus and Rightlight technology is all done within the camera hardware, and hence has improved frame-rates and superior low-light sensitivits. That's worth the price premium and buying up for. You will LOVE the clarity and response of this camera! For those who prefer 1-Click shopping, the Apple Store also lists the Vision Pro.
HP's Top-Of-The-Line 3MP High-Definition Cam Hewlett Packard Web Camera
Like: Very Hi-Res HD 3 Megapixel UVC. Top Notch Light Sensitivity and Auto-Color/White-Balance, Hardware Auto Focus, Stereo Mic
Dislike: Not Widely Available, Clip/Base Rather Bulky
Luxury Logitech QuickCam Ultra - Fixed Focus
Like: Quality Glass Lens. Hassle-Free Fixed Focus.
Dislike: A Bit Bulky Compared To Other Web Cameras. Logitech Webcam For Mac
Creative Labs Optima Model w/Noise-Canceling Mic Mac Compatible Creative Webcam
Like: Hi-Resolution, Built In Mic, Wide-Angle Fixed-Focus
Dislike: Large Base - But Versatile For Laptop/Desktop
*NEW!* DualPix Midrange WebcamDualpix UVC Apple Webcam
Like: Higher-Quality Glass Lens. Sharper Improved Resolution
Dislike: Fixed Focus, Color Balance Off In Low-Light
*NEW!* Hercules Fixed Focus Value Webcam Hercules Dual Pix Mac Webcam
Like: Compact Clip Mount. Good Microphone. Image Quality Good
Dislike: Color Balance A Off/Purplish In Low-Light
Microsoft Live! Web Cam - Value Priced xBox 360 webcam
Like: Suprising Image Quality, Adjustable Focus Ring, Low-Cost
Dislike: Stand Designed For Desktop Not Laptop. No Microphone



THESE BELOW ARE GOOD UVC CAMS OVERALL - BUT...
Since They Don't Have Mac or Linux Specific Software Utilities, Don't Perform As Optimally As They Could Making These Webcams Best for Cross-Platform PC/Mac Users, or use with VMware Fusion, Parallels or Leopard's BootCamp:
Logitech Pro For Notebooks
Like: Quality Ziess Lens, Good Light Response and Color Balance
Dislike: Designed Small For Laptop-Travel But Comes With Desktop Stand, Mounting Clip Not Well-Designed, AF Functions Not Mac Supported
Popular QuickCam Logitech Pro 9000
 Like: Optical Quality Carl Zeiss Lens, Sharp, Good Color Balance
Sharp Hi-Res 2mp Sensor, Desktop/Laptop Mount, Built-In Microphone
Dislike: Logitech's Autofocus functions are not supported on the Mac with these 2 models; they will perform like a very high quality fixed-focus cam. Many Mac buyers love their 9000 or NoteBook Pro cams, but the Right Light 2 function may cause low frame-rates in low-lighting conditions.
Note: Only a VERY FEW Logitech models are UVC compliant or work on a Mac! The above two Pro models are absolutely UVC-Mac compatible; Most other Mid-To-Low-End Logitech cameras are NOT UVC compliant: Depends on model #, ever-changing and confusing product names, different internal sensor & part numbers! Choose carefully.
Creative Optia Live Auto-Focus + Mic
Like: High 2MP Resolution, Swivels & Pivots, Mic
Dislike: Creative Doesn't Support AutoFocus Functions On Mac

LESS THAN IDEAL MAC WEB CAMERA CHOICES...
MAC COMPATIBLE - BUT NOT TRULY 'GREAT' UVC MODELS
Hercules Value Cam Above A Much Better $30 Choice Than These:
Pico iMage USB 2.0 Webcam:
Like: Click Tilt Adjustment. Good Light Response & Color Balance
Dislike: Rather GRAINY Image. Way overpriced at $50+
SO-SO BUDGET ADDITION: MacAlly VGA IceCam 2
Like: Sturdy Clip, Adjustable Focus Ring, On Indicator LED
Dislike: Needs Very Bright Light Levels. Off-Color Problems. Cheap Import Cam Rebranded with MacAlly Logo. Harsh Sounding Microphone.
DUBIOUS ADDITION: Kinamax UVC Crap-Cam <$20
Like: Penny-Pincher Cheap UVC cam. Good Image Quality. Clip Mount
Dislike: Microphone Never Worked, Cameras Often CROAK Within Days! Read Amazon reviews: Many Unhappy Buyers, But It's Dirt-Cheap.



DV QUALITY APPLE iSIGHT & FIREWIRE OPTIONS

You CAN still find decent, used Apple iSight cams at Amazon without having to slug it out on eBay. Why Apple stopped manufacturing their very high-quality 1394 FireWire web camera is beyond logic. 1394 is better than USB for video conferencing & chat in many technical aspects: Less CPU overhead and avoids USB devices slugging it out on a hub. The Apple iSight's closest available competitor is now from UniBrain: The 640x480 Fire-i Video Webcam has a nice, standard camera tripod mount tho it lacks the iSight's built-in microphone, optics and close range autofocus. Old iBot & ADS Pyro 1394b cams exist; neither as highly rated as the Fire-i. Many DV camcorders like the Canon ZR-Series MiniDV Camera can be a versatile choice for webcam use: Record to tape or use as a FireWire web cam with high resolution auto-focus. So USB cameras aren't the only options to provide Macintosh users with high quality choices to chat & video-conference using popular Mac applications like iChat, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype, ISPQ VideoChat or for uploading clips to YouTube.


OLD MAC? OLD USB 1.1 PORTS?
RUNNING OSX 10.2 or OSX 10.3 PANTHER? GOOD LUCK...

Most High-Resolution USB 2.0 cams SIMPLY WILL NOT WORK on old 800mhz or less Macs, who's slow USB 1.x speed ports are over FOURTY times slower. Those that claim to like Creative's line may have UTTERLY ABYSMAL frame-rates on USB 1.x - or show no image at all even tho System Profiler may recognize the cam on the USB 1.1 bus. The Original Macally IceCam is one of the few widely available Non-UVC USB 1.1 cams suitable for Macs in the 800mhz or less range. It's Sonix sensor driver does NOT work on OSX 10.5, but works OK for 10.4 or lower. Also the Genius Look 313 5-in-1 USB 1.1 Speed Web Camera (with USB Speaker, USB 2 port hub, Headset and Microphone jack) uses a Sonix sensor and only works on 10.4.11 and lower. The high-quality option is the adjustable-focus HUE HD PC-Mac Flex Webcam from Clique it too uses a Sonix SN9C1xx sensor. Tho NOT UVC compliant and requires drivers - it is a smartly designed workable solution for either USB 1.1 or 2.0 ports, and available in 6 fashion color choices. With all the above, you'll likey need eCamm's $10 iUSBcam software to try to get them to work with iChat. Otherwise, you're left dinking around with any of hundreds of old cheap cams made for Windows and fiddling with Macam or IOXperts drivers hoping for a combination that will work.


SOUND DECISIONS: USB CHAT MICROPHONE PICKS

Some Mac's & webcams lack a built-in microphone. Head-sets or earbuds aren't glamourous for adult video conferencing in particular. The Logitech USB Desktop Microphone is a fine choice with great sound quality & easy to tap mute switch. But feedback, hard drive & fan noise can be problematic. USB headsets may have more advantages than 1/8" mini-jack types that often compete with your speaker system. A high-quality choice head and shoulders above all others in it's price range: the Logitech ClearChat Pro Headset is great for not only video conferencing - but top notch iTunes audio and Podcast Recording as well.


AUDIO ACCESSORIES: USB SPEAKER SYSTEMS

Many Laptops have pretty lousy built-in speakers - Making chat and video-conferencing difficult in all but the quietest of controlled environments. Two very popular picks featured at www.usb-computer-speakers.com for exceptional external audio are the suprisingly good sounding 1-Piece Tritton Sound Bite Portable USB Digital Speaker gets both power and 2.1 stereo audio over a single USB cable in a compact unit great for travel. For the desktop - And often available for $35 Or Less - The A/C powered Logitech AudioHub is an absolute bargain combo device with high-fidelity 2.1 stereo speakers, a powered 3-port USB 2.0 speed USB hub, smart cable wrap-management at the back, and an optional clip-on riser bracket to hold a webcam. It's a GREAT PRODUCT to consolidate some of your gizmos into a single sleek box and minimize a rats-nest of wires. Highly recommended!


OPERATING SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR UVC DRIVERLESS WEBCAMS

LINUX USB video class support for Linux is provided by the Linux UVC driver
MAC OS X Mac OSX ships with a UVC driver included since version 10.4.3 Tiger, updated in 10.4.9+ to work with iChat. OS X 10.5 Leopard provides full webcam support.
PLAYSTATION 3 The Play Station 3 added support for UVC web cams in firmware version 1.54.
SUN SOLARIS Solaris includes support for UVC webcams in the form of the usb vc driver for OpenSolaris. The driver ships with Solaris Express build 56 and later.
WINDOWS Windows XP has basic support for USB video class devices since Service Pack 2/3. Windows Vista ships with FULL native UVC class driver support included.