Ecamm Network’s iChatUSBCam software is now a Universal Binary, running natively on Intel and PowerPC-based Macs. Version 2.1 is a free update for registered users, and costs $9.95.
Apple’s iChat AV software ordinarily only works with FireWire-based webcams, but iChat USBCam enables you to connect less expensive USB-based cameras and get them to work. It can enable Macs that otherwise might fall below Apple’s system requirements for video conferencing to work.
What’s more, you can adjust camera settings like brightness and contrast, adjusting iSight-specific settings, switch between available video sources and more. You can even tell the software you want to use your own screen as a video source, to show other conferenced iChat AV users what’s happening on your Mac’s display.
In addition to Universal Binary support, iChatUSBCam 2.1 also improves image quality.
iChatUSBCam 2.1 requires iChat AV 2.0 or higher, a USB webcam or other video source with Mac-compatible drivers, and a Mac equipped with a PowerPC or Intel processor. A demo version is available.