View Full Version : freeware for mac webcam
does anyone know where to get software ( freeware if possible ) for webcam for mac ( mac mini)? it only works with skype now
thanks!
Dan Hoover
Jul-19-2009, 11:46am
have you checked Apple?should be something there???
i discovered that i can use the imovie application, but now the problem is imovie cant find the camera.. it works in skype so i don`t know why not.. :mad:
Lou Scuderi
Jul-19-2009, 7:44pm
You might want to try the "Photobooth" application if you have it. It would be helpful if we could hear what equipment you have other than a mac mini-what camera, what type of monitor, etc.
I tried photo booth, and it records video but no audio?
Right now i`m at work, don\t remember what camera it is, but i got it from a friend who didn`t have any problems using imovie with it.What monitor do you mean?
Ray(T)
Jul-20-2009, 5:31am
I take it you have the right things checked in "system prefs"?
what are the right things?
Ray(T)
Jul-21-2009, 4:33am
Go to "Apple>System Preferences>Hardware+Sound" and make sure you have an appropriate sound input device selected.
Ray
What model / brand of webcam is it?
i`m not at home (again), but the camera is something like or ma(/o/e )com(/n/l )? Its white and looks very apple compatible.
But It works with skype, so i guess the camera itself is compatible, and the settings on the mac are right? the system preferences are probably right, i think a friend checked that.
Don`t know if i have quicktime, ill download it if not.
Computers, arrrg. I cant even program my electric tuner or get my amp to sound right, so don`t know why i bother.
Ah, but I`m off to a very lowtech unplugged and offline cottage in the Hardangerfjord for a week on thursday, will be sweeeet. yup, and maybe the computer just needs a weeks break from the electromagnetic cumputer-####upflux that obviously surrounds me:)
>>but the camera is something like or ma(/o/e )com(/n/l )? Its white and looks very apple compatible.<<
I'm not sure what a ma(o/e) brand is, but you may find some webcam software on the vendors website if you google for it.
etteM
Jul-22-2009, 12:52am
so the camera is macally:
http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=220
it says " Driver free" does that mean that you donīt need software?
Lou Scuderi
Jul-22-2009, 2:06am
Yeah, driver free should mean 'plug and play.'
So you say that you have the camera, and it works with skype-is this including sound? (I assume so). What I mean by monitor is the thing that displays the images. You said you have a mac mini-these don't come with monitors, keyboards, mice, webcams, or pretty much anything. It's basically a computer in a really little box with nothing else. Are you sure that it isn't an iMac or a powermac or a macbook? I rarely see mac-minis anywhere outside of a laboratory setting.
As for system preferences for sound, here's what you should have set:
system preferences->hardware->sound->input->USB (or something like usb input, as I assume your camera is a usb camera).
This is a really weird problem-I've never worked with this particular webcam, but every macally product I've ever used with the four macs I've had over the years has just worked without any problems. In fact, every external I've used with any of my macs just plain works. Don't give up yet-it's probably something kinda stupid in the system preferences or in the defaults for the camera. That kind of thing DOES happen all the time.
It is a Mini,i just have a benq screen and the keyboard and mouse are wireless bluetooth apple ones.
i guess ill have to get one of my geek friends over here to look at it again, but thanks for all the help:)
Bertram Henze
Jul-22-2009, 8:50am
If it is the MacAlly Icecam you have, it comes with a monitor software that shows the camera picture live. This monitor has a recording option. If you have the audio input set properly with the preferences, it takes the audio as well. Depending on the monitor's video settings, the recorded videos can get very big (uncompressed MOV format, reckon about 1 GB per minute) - you'll need some converter into AVI format to compress it and make it uploadable to YouTube (I use the Xilisoft converter, just about 30 Euros and get passable results; look up YouTube videos by bertram260E).
Bertram