Orange Micro iBOT Pro FireWire Webcam

Rating:
Summary: Works well so far
Review: I am getting a clear picture on my Mac using ivisit to communicate with a PC......so far, so good. My only complaint: the directions seem to be a little dated.....ivisit (old edition) is included on the CD software in the box, but the latest version, on ivisit.com website, for Mac 10.3.2, does not need this CD....just download from the website, and good to go. Also, you can just plug the camera into the firewire outlet on the Mac.....no fuss. In their directions they speak of a "Plain Talk Adaptor".....since half the customers for this camera are Mac, I feel they should include this in the package (it is an additional $15 and this camera is an expensive camera!) I was told by Mac tech support that only really old Macs require this adaptor, so it may no longer be necessary. (i.e. their headset/microphone might work just by plugging it into the Audio-In jack, without this adaptor) Also, no drivers are necessary for newest Macs and latest website download. My advice: call their tech support (number on website for orange micro) and email ivisit tech support and check with Mac tech support. Better safe than sorry. They do need to keep the directions up-to-date. The camera is small, flexible, can go anywhere (can tape to surface to hold it), and I am pleased with it.

Rating:
Summary: IBot - no problems on WinXP with Adaptec card
Review: My computer-genius son talked me out of a USB web cam and convinced me to get this FIREWIRE cam [Orange Micro iBOT Pro FireWire Webcam
by Orange Micro] and card [Adaptec FireConnect 4300 AFW-4300 1394/FireWire Card] for my computer running WinXP Pro. I've never had an easier install! Unplug computer, insert card, plug in iBot, re-plug computer and turn it back on: presto! WinXP recognized it all and viola! iBot! I did not have to install drivers or anything. Now.. if you are running a Lynksys router, you may want to go to the Linksys site to see some knowledge base info. (support) on using a cam with the router, but that too is a "no brainer". I would recommend this web cam to anyone with a PC running Windows XP Pro.

Rating:
Summary: iBOT Pro Firewire Video Camera
Review: Simple installation and foolproof setup. I have used this with Win ME, Win XP and Mac. with uniformly excellent results. Win XP has built-in drivers for this camera, so you literally just plug and play on that system. The other systems required installation of drivers, but these were no problem. Video IS much smoother than USB 1.1 (haven't seen a USB 2.0 yet, to compare). My only suggestions are better low-light performance (all the home web cams I have seen lack this capability, though) and a better mount. The foot mount is cute, but I would prefer something I can stick in place.

Rating:
Summary: Not compatible with some newer Windows applications
Review: The camera itself performs OK. As others have noted, the picture is a bit grainy, especially under low light (which seems to be standard for webcams). I have noticed a light, vertical stripe running down the middle of the captured image that's somewhat distracting.

I had no problems installing the camera - just plugged it in, and Windows XP recognized it right away. It worked with the bundled ULead VideoStudio, Windows Movie Maker, and WebCam2000.

The software I would have most wanted to use with the iBot was ATI's Multimedia Center that came with my ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder video card - namely, its motion-activated recording feature (so I could find out what the cats *really* do while I'm away). But the iBot did not show up as a possible video source in the ATI configuration.

(warning: geek-speak ahead) After some research, it turns out that the ATI video-capture function is only compatible with devices that have WDM drivers, and the iBot drivers only support the older, 'VFW' standard. Microsoft has stopped supporting the VFW (Video for Windows) standard, and is pushing other companies do the same. So there may be other applications out there that won't support the iBot, unless Orange Micro releases a WDM driver.

On a side note, Microsoft _has_ supplied a forwards-compatibility feature in Windows XP that will allow applications using the older VFW standard to use newer WDM devices (just not the other way around).

Rating:
Summary: Not compatible with some newer Windows applications
Review: The camera itself performs OK. As others have noted, the picture is a bit grainy, especially under low light (which seems to be standard for webcams). I have noticed a light, vertical stripe running down the middle of the captured image that's somewhat distracting.

I had no problems installing the camera - just plugged it in, and Windows XP recognized it right away. It worked with the bundled ULead VideoStudio, Windows Movie Maker, and WebCam2000.

The software I would have most wanted to use with the iBot was ATI's Multimedia Center that came with my ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder video card - namely, its motion-activated recording feature (so I could find out what the cats *really* do while I'm away). But the iBot did not show up as a possible video source in the ATI configuration.

(warning: geek-speak ahead) After some research, it turns out that the ATI video-capture function is only compatible with devices that have WDM drivers, and the iBot drivers only support the older, 'VFW' standard. Microsoft has stopped supporting the VFW (Video for Windows) standard, and is pushing other companies do the same. So there may be other applications out there that won't support the iBot, unless Orange Micro releases a WDM driver.

On a side note, Microsoft _has_ supplied a forwards-compatibility feature in Windows XP that will allow applications using the older VFW standard to use newer WDM devices (just not the other way around).

Rating:
Summary: Works as advertised
Review: This camera works really well. Setup is a breeze on OS X.2.7 and it works really well with iChat AV. The picture quality is pretty good and the Firewire makes a big difference in frame rate. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is the form factor is a little bit clunky. The Firewire cable is heavy and thick and makes it a bit tough to position sometimes. Also, the foot thing, though cool looking, is pretty impractical for setting the camera up anything smaller than a desktop. Other than that, it's a great buy.

Rating:
Summary: IBOT Pro Firewire Vidcam
Review: Very smooth. Blows away USB1.1 Have not seen on USB 2.0. The foot is cool but I'd rather have a base that gets some traction! All in all a good product!

Rating:
Summary: IBOT Pro Firewire Vidcam
Review: Very smooth. Blows away USB1.1 Have not seen on USB 2.0. The foot is cool but I'd rather have a base that gets some traction! All in all a good product!