Apple iSight Video Conferencing Webcam with Autofocus -M8817LL/B

by Apple

• Video conference easily over broadband Internet
• 640 x 480 resolution with 24-bit color at 30 frames per second
• Built-in noise-suppressing microphone
• Includes 3 stands and can be clipped to the top of an LCD display for a more accurate centered video image.
• Autofocus from 2 inches to infinity

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002OZXG0
• Item model number: M8817LL/B
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 18, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

iSight is a state-of-the-art video camera that’s the easiest way to video conference with your colleagues, friends and family over broadband. Featuring an autofocusing autoexposure F/2.8 lens which captures high-quality pictures even in low lighting, iSight also includes a dual-element microphone in its stylish compact aluminum body.

Like no other camera Apple brings award-winning product design to iSight — and it’s like no other camera available today. A versatile, durable, lightweight and portable camera capable of delivering high-quality audio and video, iSight features a strong aluminum-alloy exterior which protects sophisticated electronics and its autofocus lens. A single FireWire cable streams video and audio and also delivers power to the camera. Screen-top Three stands and a tilt-and-swivel mechanism allow iSight to capture video at the best possible angle. While traditional web cameras sit off-center on your desk, capturing the side of your head iSight sits directly in front of you, at eye level. This provides a more natural, life-like conversation and a more familiar TV-like viewing angle. Its compact size makes it easy to take with you anywhere.

iSight sits directly in front of you at eye level.

Crystal clear sound
iSight includes a built-in, dual element noise-suppressing microphone that delivers crystal clear audio. The microphone takes in the sound from both microphone elements, then determines which sounds are essential to the conversation with an algorithm that filters out extraneous noise.

Featherweight champ
iSight weighs in at a mere 2.3 ounces (63.8 grams) making it easy to carry in your pocket or bag for use anywhere. For convenience and protection, iSight also includes a travel case so you can take it along on trips short or long. \

Use iSight to take your own buddy photo.

Focus on you iSight’s lens can autofocus as close as 50 mm (2 inches) or infinitely far, so whenever you’re in front of your camera, your image is always sharp and clear. iSight also includes an on-board processor that automatically adjusts white balance, sharpness, color, focus and exposure and filters out noise to ensure that the transmitted picture is bright and focused and color is true in any light conditions. Just a sec iChat AV lets you mute the audio while continuing to shoot video, in case you need to have a private conversation in person while keeping a chat open. Video muting, too Need a moment offscreen to touch up your hairdo or prepare a surprise? Closing the lens cover mutes the video but doesn’t disconnect you from your conversation. To resume visual contact, just reopen the lens.

You’ll look marvelous But iSight doesn’t just look good, it makes you look good, with the highest quality video of any chatting solution. A custom-designed, three-part lens consists of two aspherical elements that focus on a 1/4-inch CCD sensor with 640x480 (VGA) resolution. The camera’s lens aperture is a wide F/2.8, allowing it to collect more light than most web cams. iSight also offers a far wider range of shutter speeds than most other cameras. Put it all together and iSight delivers smooth, top-quality, full-motion video at 30 frames per second in 24-bit color. The result is that whether it’s in a poorly lit hotel room or a bright sunny kitchen, iSight will provide true color reproduction and a crisp image. The camera also sports a small green “on air” light that lets you know that you are participating in a live video chat session. One simple twist of the lens cap turns off iSight, ensuring your privacy and letting your buddies know you’re no longer available for video and audio chatting.

Closing the lens cover mutes the video but doesn't disconnect you from your conversation.

Product Description

Includes: 4 mounts: magnetic for anodized aluminum Apple Cinema displays, flat-panel iMac, eMac and desktop, 2 FireWire cable adapters, 1 FireWire 6-6 pin 1.8m cable, and carrying case. Apple iSight - High-quality video conferencing technology has gone from the board room to your living room! This iSight webcam delivers an impressive 640x480 resolution at up to 30 frames per second. It also includes a built-in dual-element microphone for crystal clear audio. Together, they make talking over the Internet as natural as a face-to-face conversation! Durable aluminum alloy frame Lightweight - 2.3 ounces

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best webcam for your Mac. October 18, 2004

By Dean

The "B" model is the current model and its main benefit over the last one is that they fixed the major heat problem of the first version of this webcam. Great webcam with a great image reproduction. Can also be used as a still cam albeit attached to computer. Looks very good with any Mac and also now has the iMac G5 attachment which is a magnet to attract to the metal plate built in to the top center of the iMac G5's case. The stand itself is white plastic same as the iMac's. Also has a PowerBook, eMac, flat panel display and iMac G4 attachments.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent webcam for Macs! November 11, 2004

By Krishna M. Sadasivam VINE™ VOICE

Looking for a good webcam for your Mac? Look no further than iSight. The Rev. B model, which I have, was a snap to hook up. I used one of the included stands to mount the camera next to my Mac. Initially, I had reservations about using the stand, based on reports I've read on the web. The stands come with a self-adhesive mount, and I wasn't about to 'stick' my camera to a surface. But my worries were easily dismissed, because the stand itself does a fantastic job of supporting the iSight. So, no messy adhesive backing had to be used.

The iChat program (bundled with OS X Panther) works really well with the camera. I've used it to chat with my sister who lives a few states away. With appropriate third party software, you can also use the iChat as a UPC barcode reader to scan in your books, CDs, and DVDs. The quality of the image generated by the camera is more than acceptable. Colors are rich and not washed out. On a broadband connection, frame rates were impressively high. Audio only chats will work as well, as the iSight also houses a built-in microphone. Audio quality is clear, too, as my sister has confirmed. I have yet to chat with another iSight'er to fully perform a two-way video chat, but from what I've seen so far, the iSight works very well. Highly recommended.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic January 17, 2005

By dunkalicious

I bought one of these for my dad for xmas and another one for myself (adhering to the one for you one for me policy). We both live on different continents and I figure it would help to cut down on phone bills. Tried it out for the first time this weekend and I'm impressed. The resolution is quite good; not crystal clear of course but not too bad (we both have cable modems). It was easy to set up, just involved getting a subscription to the .mac website (free trial 60 days, no need to put a credit card down either!), plugging it in, and typing my dad's email address as a buddy...that's it...next thing I knew he was on the screen talking with me. Pretty sweet.