CROSS-PLATFORM MAC WEBCAM CHAT APPLICATIONS
Connect In Real-Time To Friends With iChat HD, Messenger, Skype, ISPQ Video Chat, Camfrog & More. These PC and Mac compatible video conferencing programs are the most widely used by Macintosh and Windows PC users.SKYPE FOR MACINTOSH <-> WINDOWS
Mac Skype is one of the most reliable cross-platform video conferencing apps: It isn't just for free & very low-cost long distance Mac VOIP video and voice calling. Check out and download the latest Skype for Mac v5 which supports PC <-> Mac video chat options. Many iChatAV users experience problems and flakiness trying to video conference with Windows AOL Instant Messenger users, so Skype is worth trying as an alternative. Skype's ability to access and integrate your Apple Address Book contacts and search their directory for pals helps build a buddy list quickly at Skype. There's also integrated chat with FaceBook friends. With Skype V5 HD high-quality video conferencing is supported on select HD webcam models - so get and stay current.APPLE iCHAT AV <-> AOL INSTANT MESSENGER
iChat is preinstalled on every Mac. Great video quality and features, but LACKS COMMUNITY. You're on your own to find and build your own Pal-Buddy List from friends @aol.com and @me - @mac.com accounts. But with AOL's AIM cross-platform compatibility, there's a HUGE user-base of AOL Instant Messenger folks to chat with. Get A Free AOL ScreenName Here to get started. Full support of text, voice, video and and now - file and screen-sharing with the latest OSX Leopard iChat HD version. [FYI: If you get errors trying to do video chat, especially with with PC users, it's often because of Router, Firewall or Internet Security Blocking software far more common on the PC end. Try Skype instead.]ISPQ VIDEOCHAT <-> MAC & PC
Unlike many chat apps, ISPQ VIDEO CHAT has an INTEGRATED COMMUNITY: You can browse profiles andandand member pics, text message with still images and audio clips - and optionally video chat: 1 on 1 or Multi-party. Community is a key feature sorely missing from some other standalone Mac chat apps. Offers both 'Nice' Social as well as Frisky Adult chat rooms you can browse. A commercial app that offers a free 21-day trial to test drive. This is a fully-featured cross-platform videoconferencing program the Apple and PC platform has - in most aspects - what iChat ought to be.[FYI: ISPQ's parent, NanoCom used to license out it's video conferencing code. The still VERY popular iCUii software once used it and was both Mac and Windows compatible. A fallout with NanoComm led iCUii to rewrite its app from scratch for PC-only. NanoCom morphed its code into ISPQ - and continues to provide a truly cross-platform videoconference app - for all of us.] Using Boot Camp, VM-Ware or Parallels: Mac users on Intel might try Windows PC options to give iCUii a looksee.
YAHOO MESSENGER FOR MAC
Recent improvements to the latest v.3 version of Yahoo! Messenger Mac for OSX helps. Messenger has a reasonably large community of users since anyone @yahoo.com can potentially video-conference. Yahoo also recently added the ability to chat with MSN Messenger folk @msn.com and @hotmail.com. And lastly, Y Messenger FINALLY supports audio during video connections - long, long overdue.MSN MESSENGER 8 MAC
For years, Microsoft MSN Messenger for Macintosh didn't supported video AT ALL. The least capable Mac chat program; for text only and exchanging files, but has a huge userbase. Last year they added cross-platform compatibility with @yahoo.com buddies, so you can add Yahooers to your Messenger pal list now. Microsoft recently added video support in the updated Messenger v8 for Mac . Until this release there were two alternate MSN clones for Mac that try to do video; Mercury Messenger and AMSN you might want to check out. Both seems somewhat-flakey and sorta fail to deliver a commercial quality Messenger video compatible application solution.CAMFROG FOR OSX AND WINDOWS
Only takes minutes to download the free version of CamFrog, set up an account, and start stumbling through rooms full of people! It works, it's fun - and overwhelming sometimes. CamFrog makes it a little too easy to drown in overlapping windows but it's very approachable for first-time video chatters to get connected quickly. Camfrog - now at version 2.1x works behind all firewalls, routers, and wireless networks avoiding some of the 'gotcha's' that can cause videoconferencing problems in homes or business.LOGITECH VID - SIGHTSPEED FOR MAC AND PC
Recently acquired by webcam powerhouse Logitech - SightSpeed offers both PC/Mac versions of it's software. The free version supports 1 on 1 connections, and you can optionally pay to upgrade to multi-party versions or - much like Skype - buy credits for US or Global IP based calling. Now rolled into Logitech's high-quality cross-platform chat with Logitech VID HD.OoVoo VIDEO MESSAGING FOR MAC
With ooVoo for Mac Snow Leopard, you can connect with anyone, anytime with video calls, phone, text and more. Some of ooVoo's features: Video Calling - connect with up to 6 people. Friends who don't have ooVoo can video call you from their Web browser. Video Chat Room lets you embed a video chat in any website, blog or social network. High Resolution Video Call Recording. Video Messages to send a greeting to multiple people at once. Like Skype, ooVoo is free for basic functions but has pay-for calling-connect features. ooVoo now requires OSX Snow Leopard for the planned compatibility with Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch iOS support - coming 'soon'.FLASH ENABLED VIDEO CHAT IN YOUR BROWSER
Adobe's Flash Player Plug-In has long supported webcam and microphone capture and is used on many websites for web-based videochat rooms. Be sure to check Flash Player's SETTINGS options to choose your particular video and microphone source. For the best web-video experience, you want to be current on the latest version of the free Flash plug-in -- and Safari or Firefox.OSX COMPATIBLE VIDEO CAPTURE, CONVERT, SECURITY + SURVEILLENCE, FTP WEBCAM APPS
There's some notable Freeware, Shareware and Pay-For video and camera utilities to get the most from your webcam: Video converters to prep clips for iPod like ISQUINT, HANDBRAKE and VIDDYUP! Capture programs like BEAR'S HAND & BTV Pro. Webcam Security and time-lapse surveillance apps with FTP uploading like BOINX iSTOPMOTION, KEYCAMX, Ben Bird's SECURITY SPY, Evological EVOCAM and EyeCon Technologies IMAGECASTER.
Some of the most useful add-on webcam utilities come from ecamm.com. They sell iUSBCAM which enables iChat USB video support on older Macs - and the highly recommended iGLASSES which allows you to adjust colors, brightness, zoom and more on both external webcams or a built-in iSight camera as well. Just some of many great Mac webcam programs worth mentioning.
Last Updated: September 30th, 2012
