Axiom-Crux

Hello, I am working on an install for MOCA that uses camera interaction, the code is pretty much done, but I need one piece of hardware which is the webcam to work with the mac mini. anyone got any recommendations? doesn't have to be high res or good picture, just cheap and trustworthy and work with the mac.

Hello, I am working on an install for MOCA that uses camera interaction, the code is pretty much done, but I need one piece of hardware which is the webcam to work with the mac mini.  anyone got any recommendations?  doesn't have to be high res or good picture, just cheap and trustworthy and work with the mac.  

good-webcam-for-mac

http://www.unibrain.com/Products/VisionImg/Fire_i_DC.htm

Axiom-Crux wrote on Sun, 01 March 2009 18:03

Axiom-Crux wrote on Sun, 01 March 2009 18:03Hello, I am working on an install for MOCA that uses camera interaction, the code is pretty much done, but I need one piece of hardware which is the webcam to work with the mac mini.  anyone got any recommendations?  doesn't have to be high res or good picture, just cheap and trustworthy and work with the mac.  

looks really nice but its a bit expensive, is there anything in the 50 dollar range? the one we got was only like 30 bux I think... and Im still not sure why it doesnt work on my mac..

looks really nice but its a bit expensive, is there anything in the 50 dollar range?  the one we got was only like 30 bux I think... and Im still not sure why it doesnt work on my mac..


if i were you i would think about investing the few extra bucks in a bright future as media artist. as you have to buy it yourself you will probably get it back after the exhibition so you can reuse it and there are some nice details about this camera which i think pay off the extra $ in a long run:

http://www.unibrain.com/Products/VisionImg/Fire_i_BC.htm

 ) for which you can buy different lenses and a remote CCD

* i once chained two of them with two 10m firewire cables (which is the double of whats officially supported) with no problems

* many people from this list used them successfully

ps: i am not affiliated to the company in any way...

if i were you i would think about investing the few extra bucks in a bright future as media artist. as you have to buy it yourself you will probably get it back after the exhibition so you can reuse it and there are some nice details about this camera which i think pay off the extra $ in a long run:
* there is also a naked version of it ( http://www.unibrain.com/Products/VisionImg/Fire_i_BC.htm ) for which you can buy different lenses and a remote CCD
* i once chained two of them with two 10m firewire cables (which is the double of whats officially supported) with no problems
* many people from this list used them successfully

ps: i am not affiliated to the company in any way...


Have you tried looking for drivers that you could download? IF there are no mac drivers for the camera, try dowloading macam. Also, many tracking applications do not benefit from higher quality/more expensive cameras. Search this forum and you will find many recommendations.

WEll as far as being a serious media artist, Id say having a show with 2 installations in a highly promoted MOCA show, along with a history of doing shows with every big art museum in miami would be concidered serious.

I just know what the project requires, and since the image of the camera is just being used to interact with geormetry I dont think I need a high quality one.. just something that works and is trustworthy.. Im sure thers something out there thats usb and priced much lower.

as far as the macam, thats what the seller said I should use for the cam we bought but it gives me usb errors no matter what I do. Im not sure why.

I just know what the project requires, and since the image of the camera is just being used to interact with geormetry I dont think I need a high quality one.. just something that works and is trustworthy..  Im sure thers something out there thats usb and priced much lower.

as far as the macam, thats what the seller said I should use for the cam we bought but it gives me usb errors no matter what I do.  Im not sure why.

The camera for the Xbox 360 works great with the native OSX drivers - pretty cheap. Might be dependent on 10.5 though.

Axiom-Crux wrote on Fri, 06 March 2009 05:38

Well, 'high quality' depends a lot on what you want to use it for.

Cameras used for computer vision IMO would be:

4) more resolution in time instead of space;

In my experience most of the 'cheap' webcams can't get past no. 2.

And all macam-based cameras are doomed in no. 3.

For me the cheapest usable camera would be firewire unibrain, I found one on Dutch Ebay for 50 euro, and its awesome.

Axiom-Crux wrote on Fri, 06 March 2009 05:38high quality one..

Well, 'high quality' depends a lot on what you want to use it for.
Cameras used for computer vision IMO would be:

1) automatic light/color/anything - off;
2) same as above
3) small latency;
4) more resolution in time instead of space;
5) near-ir sensitive is often a plus;

Good webcam for mac?