iSight
- For the computer program, see iSIGHT.
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Motion picture camera |
| Lens | |
| Lens | Glass, internal auto-focus lens system |
| F-numbers | 2.8 |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Sensor type | Digital CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/4-inch; 640x480 resolution |
| Recording medium | Attached to computer via FireWire |
| Focusing | |
| Focus | Automatic (50 mm - ∞) |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter speeds | Continuous up to 30 fps |
iSight is a webcam developed and marketed by Apple Computer. As of 2006, the iSight is sold retail for US$149 as an external unit which connects to a computer via FireWire cable and comes with a set of mounts to place it atop any current Apple display, laptop computer, or all-in-one desktop computer.
Design
iSight was designed for iChat AV, Apple's video-conferencing client. iMovie (version 4 and later) can be used to capture video from the device. It is also the recommended camera for use with Freeverse Software's ToySight game collection.
iSight's ¼-inch color CCD sensor has a 640×480-pixel VGA resolution, and it has a custom-designed three-part F/2.8 lens with two aspherical elements. It features autoexposure, autofocusing from 50 mm to infinity, and video capture at 30 frames per second in 24-bit color with a variety of shutter speeds. iSight includes internal microphones with dual-element noise suppression.
The external iSight camera weighs 2.3 ounces (63.8 grams). It uses a single FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) cable (included) for audio, video, and power. Four camera mounts, a plastic tube carrying case, and a FireWire camera mount adapter are also included. It is fully compatible with its native Mac OS X as well as partially compatible with the Microsoft Windows and GNU/Linux operating systems.
Apple introduced iSight at the 2003 Worldwide Developers Conference. In April 2005, Apple released a firmware update for the iSight to improve audio performance.
It has a small green LED that illuminates when the camera is in use. It also has a lens cap for privacy.
Built-in iSight
Apple also uses the "iSight" name to brand its built-in video camera component found in all MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers as well as iMac desktop computers produced in or after late 2005, although it is not the same device as the external iSight. While similar devices, the built-in iSight uses an internal USB 2.0 interface, not the FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) method used by the external iSight camera. [1] Further, the built-in iSight has a plastic lens, is fixed-focus, and uses a CMOS Active pixel sensor, rather than the CCD used in the external iSight.
iSight on Windows
Version 1.1 of Apple Computer's Boot Camp added Microsoft Windows XP drivers for the iSight. These drivers also appear to work on Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system as of Release Candidate 2, however, the device remains unprogrammed and will not be compatible with any programs.
Microsoft Windows XP will autodetect an external iSight camera as “1394 Desktop Video Camera”, but no iSight driver exists for Windows XP. Nevertheless, some applications such as Yahoo Messenger, Skype and Windows Movie Maker are capable of using video from the camera and adjusting brightness and other settings (the image will appear to be overexposed until the settings are altered). Windows is not capable of receiving audio from iSight’s internal microphones, as no Windows driver exists for this. (The built-in microphone on MacBook and MacBook Pro does work, as they are a separate component.)
Technology blog Gizmodo reported in July 2006 that a bounty has been offered for a driver that will enable the external iSight's microphone to function on Windows XP. Users will contribute funds that will be won by a successful developer. The driver's source will then be open to the public for porting to future Windows versions.
iSight on Linux
The libdc1394 library [1] is required to use iSight under Linux. It can be controlled by the Coriander interface [2] or by VLC_media_player [3] using the dc1394 plugin [4]. The internal microphone is actually supported by an experimental driver [5] that make it available through the ALSA interface.
Adjusting iSight
iGlasses from Ecamm Network allows for iSight video settings adjustment such as brightness and contrast, as well as mirror, flip, rotate and night vision mode.
Discontinued in Europe
The iSight has been withdrawn from sale in the European Union, according to AppleInsider, allegedly due to the introduction of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive on 1 July 2006.[2]
References
- ^ Apple Developer Connection, "15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note", Last updated: 2006-05-09.
- ^ Apple to halt sale of some products in Europe (AppleInsider)
External links
- External iSight on Apple.com
- MacBook iSight on Apple.com
- Freeverse's ToySight
- Developer contest to provide a driver for the external iSight's microphone on Windows XP
- iSight Linux audio driver project page
- iSight Linux driver project on SourceForge
- iGlasses on Ecamm.com