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If I try to look at their image on the display, what they see is me looking in any direction but theirs. The preview app, if left in the dock, is helpful for adjusting the ambient light before attempting to use iChat and, despite complaints, will turn off both the camera and its little green light. Lighting is tricky. unless you're doing a report on disabilities. And, just as people who've had their cataracts removed marvel at how clear and bright the world becomes post-op, shifting from this camera to just about anything else will have you shouting, I'VE BEEN CURED. Without the additional purchase of eCamm's iUSBCam software it doesn't work at all, and you'll find even that software truly and still requires the additional purchase of the sister product, iGlasses, to get a picture that doesn't approximate the glowing blobs described by someone who has been abducted by extra-terrestrials. I thought, "How bad can it be." Hmmmm, "Atrocious, Baleful, Contemptible, Deplorable, Execrable, Frightful." Too bad the English alphabet has only twenty-six letters; there are so many more words to describe how truly awful it is.
However, that action further lowers the positioning on my eMac, requiring me to look down and to the side to appear as though I am looking into the eyes of the person I'm iChatting. Yes, it's portable; but aren't they all. Yes it's inexpensive; but the add-ons more than double the price. If you are writing about eyesight and want to experience for yourself how severe cataracts affect the vision of someone before surgical removal, this camera is IDEAL. The USB connector must be connected directly to the computer or a powered hub. This is pretty much a waste of money, time, and effort. I CAN SEE AGAIN.
But the twisty cable is only about twelve inches from connecter to lens, and so rigid at the ends that it protrudes inconveniently far, wasting a good bit of the gooseneck type coil.
Although you can adjust the sharpness slightly by moving the tiny ring on the lens, the displayed image appears as though viewed through waxed paper.
it doesn't like low light or shadows.
Oddly, this coil, with all the strength of overcooked spaghetti, actually strengthens when bent or twisted lightly.
IT'S A MIRACLE.
It was the least expensive Mac-compatible camera available.
but too much light, as from a desk lamp set to illuminate your face, makes your image glow as though it were radioactive.The field of vision is oddly short and long, like a 3x5 index card.
Overall, a purchaser would be a thousand percent better off buying another brand that's plug-and-play compatible.
There are not many available and most of the time they are very expensive. I have been looking for a certain time for a MAC-compatible web cam. This one offers the compatibility at a reasonable price.
That particular laptop only has USB 1.1. Everything works great.
Just remember its a $29.95 camera so please do not expect a Mercedes at a Honda Civic price. By purchasing this camera you also get 5.00 off the purchase of the iUSBCam software.
This camera is definitely worth the 29.95 I paid for it. Anyone with older hardware like me with definitely enjoy this camera.
I purchased this for my old 600Mhz G3 Ibook (10.3.9). I purchased this so I can use this with Ichat (using iUSBCam v2.2.5 software).
This setup is a great alternative to purchasing a firewire camera (iSight).
We've used it twice (tried to use it twice). The Macally Portable Goose Neck USB video met the physical demands of the counter top our Mac sits on, but that's about all. We think this product is a turkey. Is the price right for something that doesn't work well. Probably not. Finding the button, or combination of buttons, to actually send video has eluded both my wife and I.
Picture quality is a bit fuzzy, and it doesn't see a wide area, but you can't expect a lot from a webcam in this price range. The gooseneck is very convenient, and for a cheap camera, it gets the job done.
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