BEST MAC COMPATIBLE WEBCAMS FOR SURVEILLANCE
FROM BASIC TO ULTIMATE:
Apple's Mac OS X supports a wide range of video surveillance cameras, equipment systems and monitoring software. Create hidden video cameras systems using hidden camera video equipment, wireless cameras, Firewire DV digital video cameras, pinhole web cameras, digital security cameras, network and USB UVC compliant web cams.Incorporate Apple Airport Extreme and Airport Express routers along with ethernet wired network cameras, CCTV security cameras, LED cameras, infrared night vision cameras, and DIY Macintosh compatible home hidden camera kits.
Add Apple supported surveillance equipment, Mac TV capture devices, digital video recorders, DVR video recording equipment and Mac compatible TV tuners. Use these with analog video input support from ElGato-EyeTV, Equinux, Hauppauge and Pinnacle Micro, phone recorders, digital voice recorders, or Neuros digital video recorders.
This is the place to find OSX supported home security equipment, covert cameras, hidden cam, professional counter surveillance equipment and other specialty spy equipment. Whether using a MacBook, an iMac desktop machine or a Mac Mini hidden in a closet, these can act as the brains of your security system and the hub of your home automation and security surveillance sollution.
The following security capable cameras are the top picks for the various interface options (USB, Wired Network, Wireless Network, Firewire). To learn more about each of these option choices, scroll down the page or click WebCam Connection Pros & Cons.
A plug-it-in and Go web camera that just works. Includes hardware based autofocus and RightLight technology®. No driver software needed! A ground glass Carl Zeiss lens for the ultimate in picture clarity and crystal clear video capture. Includes built-in microphone. This cam produces high frame rates and compensates well for low-light situations. A great USB Mac web cam bet.
Best image quality in it's class. Factor its low light sensitivity and this net camera becomes the best pick for a wired (cat5 ethernet) indoor surveillance remote monitoring program. Uses both MJPEG and MPEG-4 video modes for broadcast making it multi platform compatible (Mac/PC). Included software does not cover a Mac setup but it's still possible by following the steps in this HOWTO guide: Set-up an Axis cam using an Apple Mac. In addition to that setup guide, you'll also need an Ethernet Cross-Over Cable to get the camera configured. Once set-up, plug the camera into your network (via ethernet hub or router) and start your surveillance.
The Apple iSight webcam is not only beautifully designed, it has excellent output, features, and is still easy to find. It's a bit more expensive than its counterparts but thats testament to its functionality and desirability. 640x480, 24 bit color resolution • Built-in noise suppression microphone • 3 Stands • Auto Focus
This cam can be used in both a network or wireless type camera setup. The AIC250w easily connects to wireless IEEE 802.11g network. Built-in Network ServerUp to 30 fps depending on picture size. Capable of 10 fps at 640 x 480 (VGA). Built-in Jpeg video compression. Use for video, still images, video recording. Simple menu setup. Can send email alert with image capture.
MONITOR HOME SAFETY OVER THE WEB & INTERNET:
Need to check in on your house or pets remotely? An APPLE IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH can compliment your Mac-based security system with it's built in WiFi and web browser. An iPhone or Touch can be used to access realtime images published to the web with an FTP video upload program like ImageCaster - or the built-in FTP Server support capabilities that can be configured within many 802.11 wifi webcams listed below.WIRED USB WEB CAMS FOR MAC MINI, IMAC
MACBOOK, PRO TOWER COMPUTERS:
For simple remote monitoring setups, a single Mac friendly USB web camera may be all you need to keep a safe, secure eye on the baby, your children or pets in an adjecent room. Select cameras for quality - not price. I can't emphasize this enough. Mid and high-end webcams in the $50+ range incorporate much higher-quality webcam lenses, improved low-light sensitivity for day and night operation. Choose a UVC - USB 2.0 Video Class compliant webcam. Driverless support for UVC web cameras is built into OS X 10.5 Leopard and 10.4 Tiger for instant plug-and-play operation. The LOGITECH QUICKCAM VISION PRO is the best choice in a USB webcam due to superior optics, light-sensitivity and autofocus. Other UVC compliant webcam choices right for Apple Macs (both of which have Wide-Angle lenses ideal for security monitor environments) include the HERCULES DUALPIX INFINITE, or CREATIVE LABS OPTIA PRO. USB ACTIVE EXTENSION CABLES can be used with caveats. Normally the maximum cable-length for USB signals is about 12 feet. By using Active USB extenders which repeat and amplify the USB signals.
FIREWIRE WEB CAMERAS FOR MACINTOSH OS X:
If your surveillance needs are close to your computer, a Firewire based camera is an excellent choice. A Firewire cam significantly reduces CPU overhead and produces very high frame rates. The downside is that Firewire achieves these benefits by keeping the distances short (under 10ft is best). FireWire webcams such as the UNIBRAIN FIRE-I 1394b webcam - or the APPLE ISIGHT can provide low CPU overhead and very high frame-rates that FireWire is designed to provide. Many DV camcorders such as the CANON XXX DV CAMCORDER include a 4-pin FireWire connector and may have uses in a security environment. Note however FireWire spec only supports short cable lengths, under 10 feet at best - or requires an ACTIVE FIREWIRE EXTENSION CABLE to extend its range.
FREEWARE, SHAREWARE AND COMMERCIAL MAC
VIDEO SECURITY PROGRAMS:
Home or Business security monitoring can be done with any number of Mac applications; some freeware and shareware programs may be part of your Apple-based surveillance solution - or done with affordable commercial securoty programs for OS X that can easily manage and capture video from one - or switch between multiple spy cameras. One application of note is EYECON TECNHOLOGIES IMAGECASTER. Free to download for a trial period to test out it's features before registering. ImageCaster's support of multiple camera inputs, FTP publishing to the web, saving time-lapse snapshots to disk and more makes this an affordable option for many surveilance needs.
APPLE MAC SUPPORTED WIRELESS 802.11 WI-FI CAMERAS:
Because of the ubiquity of the 802.1 wireless networking spec, there's a lot of good options for wireless OSX friendly security cam systems compatible with Apple Macintosh systems. Consider Apple's OS X 10.4 Tiger and ideally OS X 10.5 Leopard to be the optimal platform and minimum system requirements to run modern monitoring apps.
TOP QUALITY WIRELESS SECURITY IP CAMERA MONITORING CHOICES:
One of the most popular and versatile cameras is the Panasonic BL-C131A 802.11 Network Camera - which gets rave reviews in general, and a favorite of Macintosh users. Support for Zoom, Pan and Tilt is provided by www.evological.com who excel at Mac surveillance software and support for wireless cams. Their EvoCam Mac software is a mature, well written program that's been around for many years.
CHEAP, LOW-COST WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEMS:
Here's an option for a buget-minded entry-level camera: the TRENDnet Wireless Internet Camera Server (TV-IP110W) sets a new standard in affordability as 802.11 cams become even cheaper.
Best Wireless Night Vision Internet Camera Server High Sensitivity Security 
Low Light - No Light Capabilities
WiFi Connectivity
View from web browser, iPhone, iPod Touch
Day-Night Operation
2-Way Audio
Scheduled Video/Audio Recording
Progressive Search Options Wired Network Camera
Remote Pan, Tilt, Zoom
Heat Sensor Recording
Email Alerts
Built-in Microphone
USB and wireless IP remote cameras and webcams for Apple Macintosh computers running OSX.
Protect home and business with Mac OS Compatible Airport WiFi and CCTV video surveillance network camera systems using security camera software designed for OS X Tiger and Leopard. Programs like EvoCam, ImageCaster and Security-Spy.
Protect home and business with Mac OS Compatible Airport WiFi and CCTV video surveillance network camera systems using security camera software designed for OS X Tiger and Leopard. Programs like EvoCam, ImageCaster and Security-Spy.
