Webcams for Skype for Mac
Update: if you’re using a recent Mac with a built-in webcam – it’ll look a bit like the one above – it’s ideal for making Skype video calls. Make sure you’re using the most recent version of Skype for Mac, too 
We get asked quite a lot what webcams and drivers work on Mac. Apple iSight, Philips SPC900NC and Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 are pretty safe bets. Loads of other cameras work as well as long as you’ve downloaded a driver from http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net. See the list of cameras that work (and those that don’t) with Macs.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind for using video. First, you need a 800 MHz or higher processor to run video – all G5 and Intel and most recent G4 models will do. Second, make sure that only one video application is open at a time. A camera can send video to only one application at the same time. So for example if you open Skype and iChat simultaneously, the first one gets the cam and the second will show No camera connected message.
If you can’t get Skype to recognize your camera, check out our knowledgebase or look at the forums.
I used to use skype on my old G4 no problem, but now i have a mac mini, and i can’t figure out how to get an audo in to work – i tried an external mic, and two sets of headphones. I can hear the other party perfectly, but i have no clue how to get my audio in to work. tried the trouble shooting thing on skype – can’t hear my own voice recording on the echo123 thing. any suggestions? what type of mic do i need?
not even trying webcam – just audio
Hi, folks.
I’m new (tho’ my computer is old).
I just need to be sure- before I’m forced to bite the bullet and but a new computer.
Is it a solid truth that I can’t run a web cam if my G4 is 733 MHz?
Thanks for being there.
It may work, but it may not – unfortunately, there’s no way of saying for certain. Why not borrow a webcam from a friend to test before buying one yourself? Let me know how you get on
Hi I have been using Skype without problems however I have now found when I contact another Skype user that they can see me butI only see a video image of myself?? (I am using IMAC Leopard OS 10.5) any ideas??
That sounds like a problem at their end – can they see themselves?
Hi there. I’m looking to buy a webcam to go with my Mac (10.3.9), but most cameras that have good reviews seem to be a 10.4 or above. Any ideas?
Two comments:
1) I have an older Logitech 4000 Pro camera. I connected it to my PB G4 (Titanium) running 10.3.9 with the latest released Macam drivers. Works ok.
2) I bought a new Logitech Quickcam Connect to have my Dad use with his brand new MacMini running 10.5.?. It doesn’t work at all with Skype. After downloading the latest beta driver from Macam we were able to see some video via Skype but after a few minutes the screen image would start rolling and then the sound would turn to pure static. My conclusion: Don’t waste your money on a Quickcam Connect. (It worked great on my brother’s PC — no problems at all.)
My Logitech QuickCam 4000 Pro works with all other machines..
the eMAC and my iBook G4. I recently purchase the new mac mini
and it has decided not to work. It does give me sound but
no picture. I tried unplugging, plugging, restarting etc but
still no good. I downloaded the drivers at Logitech and even
their software doesn’t work…the screen turns blue.
Most webcams these days use usb 2.0 interface. Older Macs have only usb 1.0 or 1.1,and are not compatible. If your Mac has firewire you may be able to find a firewire webcam, though there aren’t many available.
If you do have usb 2.0, don’t use the keyboard socket,as it doesn’t have enough power.
I have a Macbook with a built in camera. Do I still need another camera to use skype?
@ebudhai520 no, the built-in camera works just fine
I bought a web cam from Mijuki (wc-8405) just for less than u$ 30 here in Argentina for my MacMini with not expectations and it works perfectly! Not drivers required, just plug and play. Amazing.
I want to hook up my mom’s G4 Cube with a suitable camera for skyping. From the specs I’ve seen online, this machine runs about 400mhz and does not have USB 2.0; it does have Firewire ports.
I was looking at the Fire-i webcam, since that has a Firewire hookup, but their specs say “1GHz or faster PowerPC G4… Running Mac OS X 10.2.5 or later.” (I don’t know yet what version of OS X she is running.)
Is there any hope for this machine EVER being able to work with ANY webcam?
The course of time and the continued evolution of the UVC – USB Video Class webcam standard is ‘solving’ alot of finding a Skype compatible webcam issues for OSX 10.4 and up. More and more UVC compliant cams are coming on the market – some dirt-cheap – but you really have to check technical specs closely to make sure.
Sadly for those with only USB 1.1 speed ports your options are severely limited ( see http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com ) for some of the very few viable options for 10.4 or 10.3 – AND you may still need Ecamm’s iUSBCam software to let other apps like iChat ‘see’ the webcam.
A big part of the ‘problem’ is folks who just are h*llbent on trying to make some OLD dustbin webcam work on a near obsolete Mac. A more modern Mac + Current OS + UVC camera = a great working Skype video solution.
I have an iBook G4 running OS X 10.3.9 and I recently bought the Freetalk Buddy Cam from skype.com because they advertise it as “Mac Compatible.” But it’s all bullshit and now I’m short of $19.99. What a piece of shit.
I even downloaded the Macam driver. But I’m confused…I opened Macam and it tells me “no camera connected.” I thought it was supposed to install software that makes my computer recognized my Skype-bought camera instead of tell me what Skype was already telling me. “no camera connected” my ass…
I was considering buying a freetalk buddy Cam until I read this last entry ! I also have an iBook G4 OS X 10.3.9 and need to get a web cam…does anyone know of a decent one to be compatible with this mac ??? Thanks for any info you can give me.
Man, I just got my Freetalk Buddy today…and was just as surprised as ‘christopherbro’ when it didn’t work (the image keeps flickering) since it should be mac compatible. 20 bucks out the window.. wish I had read this thred a little earlier…
I have a problem. I have two iSights (one built in my LED 24″ display and an old Firewire 400 original iSight), both working fine with iMovie or any other software.
With Skype I noticed that from 2.7 to 2.8 both of the webcams changed their aspect ratio so that now I broadcast my video in a strange “thinner” format. The image is distorted so that the height is the usual, but the width is shorter than the usual 4:3 format. This appears in the videochat window as well as in the video settings window.
All people with 2.7 Skype see me fine, but people who have upgraded to 2.8 see me distorted.
Of course, I see everybody in the correct 4:3 format.
I am pretty sure there is a way to fix that… anything I can change in a configuration file in “Library”?
I am sure the webcams are fine. My Mac Pro runs Mac OS X 10.6.1.
Any help?
Thank you
hey, i’m using 1.2ghz ibook g4 10.3.9, seemingly no hope of upgrading, can someone definitively say what would be the best solution. minimum cost option please! its rather depressing how quickly technology becomes obsolete. thanks for your help
I have a Hue HD USB webcam attached to my Mac Mini. All was great until I updated to OSX 10.6.3 now the camera works fine with Photobooth, iChat and Quicktime but not with Skype. I am told that this is a problem with many non Apple webcams since the 10.6.3 update was installed.
I contacted the HUE HD people via their website and they sent me instructions for a work round, and I am now able to use Skype video again. Apparently Apple are working on a fix.