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

Need a fully Macintosh UVC compatible webcam? Have USB 2.0 Ports? Hundreds of different video conferencing cams made for the Windows PC market simply DO NOT WORK & Apple Macintosh and MacCam drivers may not exist. Models listed here are simply Plug & Play on modern Macs running OSX 10.4.x & 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 webcam models based on the UVC standard listed below.


HASSLE-FREE: UVC - UNIVERSAL VIDEO CLASS CAMS

UVC is a new standard in USB 2.0 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 PC - and even Linux choices as well.


THE SMART CHOICE: PLUG-N-PLAY OS X WEBCAM PICKS
Known UVC Compliant Cams - Last Updated: June 20th, 2008

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000:
* #1 Top Seller, Top Rated - For Good Reasons *
Like: Optical Quality Carl Zeiss Lens, Great Low-Light Sensitivity
Sharp Hi-Resolution Sensor, Auto-Focus, Built-In Microphone
Dislike: Only a VERY FEW Logitech models are UVC compliant or work on a Mac! This 9000 model is absolutely UVC compatible; Most other Logitech Mid-To-Low-End cameras are not - depends on model, ever-changing and confusing product names, different internal sensor & part numbers! Choose carefully.
The Just-Announced Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro For Mac isn't shipping yet. Until proven otherwise, it's just a cosmetically redesigned 9000 with more gray and silver parts being marketed as 'The First Mac Compatible Webcam From Logitech' IS IT REALLY THE FIRST? Ask the Marketing department...
Luxury Logitech Quick Cam Ultra Vision SE
Prefer to shop the Apple Store online rather than Amazon? They also list the high-end Logitech QuickCam Ultra Visionas being in-stock.
Like: 2 MegaPixel with UVC Rightlight II Technology
Dislike: Somewhat Big & Bulky Design
xBox Live Vision Microsoft Web Cam - Value Priced:
Like: Suprising Image Quality, Focus Ring, Bargain Price
Dislike: Light, Chintzy Construction Designed For Desktop Use
Creative Live Cam Optia Pro (Fixed-Focus + Mic)
Sharp 1.3MP 1280x960 Resolution. Noise Cancelling Mic.
Creative Live! Cam Optia AF (Auto-Focus + Mic)
* Sharp, Exceptional Quality, Rivals Logitech's Best *
Like: Very High 2MP Resolution, Swivels & Pivots, Mic
Dislike: Auto-focus may be problematic with fast movement
Creative Labs Video IM Pro Model VF0410
Like: Low Cost, Built In Mic, Versatile Notebook/Desktop Mount
Dislike: Kinda Ugly in a Cute Egg-y Sort of Way, VGA Med-Res
Verify You Get the VF0410 Model IM Pro That's UVC!
Logitech Pro For Notebooks
Like: Quality Lens, Auto-Focus, Good Light Response and Color Balance
Dislike: Designed For Laptop But Comes With Separate Stand, Mounting Clip Not Well-Designed
Pico iMage USB Webcam:
Like: Click Tilt Adjustment. OK Light Response and Color Balance
Dislike: Fixed Focus. Rather Grainy Image. A Basic Cam. No Mic

WHAT TO AVOID: A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT....
ONLY If Price Matters More Than Quality: Two Cheapo-Cams
 SO-SO BUDGET ADDITION: Macally VGA Ice Cam 2
Like: Built In Mic, Adjustable Focus Ring, On Indicator LED
Dislike: Needs Bright Office Lighting Levels, Color Out Of Whack, Cheap Rebranded Import Cam. The IceCam2 Desperately Needs eCamm's iUSBCam or iGlasses Software To Fix Image In Most Lighting Conditions. Ugh.
WHY I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS CHEAP MACALLY WEBCAM:

DUBIOUS ADDITION: Kinamax UVC Crap-Cam <$20
Like: Penny-Pincher Cheap UVC cam. Good Image Quality. Clip Mount
Dislike: Microphone Never Worked, Camera CROAKED Within Days! Read Amazon reviews: Many Unhappy Buyers: A Cheapskate Cam.

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. 1394b 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 Fire-Wire DV competitor is now the Unibrain Fire-i tho it lacks the iSight's built-in microphone. Old iBot & ADS Pyro 1394 cams exist; neither as highly rated as the Fire-i. A DV camcorder like the Canon ZR-Series MiniDV Camera can be a versatile choice: Record to tape or use as a FireWire web cam with high resolution auto-focus. These also provide Macintosh users with high quality options to chat & video-conference using popular Mac applications like iChat, Yahoo-MSN Messenger, Skype, ISPQ Video Chat or for uploading clips to YouTube.


OLD MAC? OLD USB 1.1 PORTS? GOOD LUCK...

Many High-Resolution USB 2.0 cams simply WILL NOT WORK on old, slow USB 1x ports which are over 40 times slower. The Original Macally IceCam is one of the few widely available USB 1.1 cams suitable for Macs in the 800mhz or less range. It's Sonix sensor driver has problems with OSX 10.5, but OK for 10.4 or lower. Even works on OS9 (Requires OS 9.2.1). Otherwise you're left dinking around with any of hundreds of old cams made for Windows and fiddling with Macam or IOXperts drivers hoping for a combination that will work.


SOUND DECISIONS: USB MICROPHONE PICKS

Some Mac's & webcams lack a built-in mic. 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.


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. 10.5 Leopard provides full webcam support.
PLAYSTATION 3
The PlayStation 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 usbvc 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. Windows Vista ships with full native UVC class driver support included.