Cristiano on Tech/Life How to run an EyeToy on Mac OS X
So, I was trying to get my PS2 EyeToy to work on my G4 Mac Mini for a while now. I had done this a while back on a Windows machine and I loved it, so I was hoping it would be a breeze to get to work in Mac OS X. It took a while though to get it working, not because it was difficult to do or something, but simply because there was only one place on the whole internet that gave me an interesting link! So now I will try to make a more Google accessible blog post that can serve as a point to go to for everyone in the future.
Why?
Obviously it only makes sense to use an EyeToy on your Mac if it doesn’t come with a webcam (iSight) in the first place. In my case this is my Mac Mini G4 that I love to use as a backup workstation. But let me explain why you would want to use an EyeToy as a webcam and not some other cheap usb camera.
First of, if you already have one that came with your PS2, why not use it instead of having it lie around? Secondly it’s actually very well build because it is build for people using the PS2 who might be putting it on their TV, and possibly drop it. So as a result they made it very heavy, very sterdy, and therefore of better quality than most cheap plastic webcams you buy in stores. Thirdly, it’s nicely black, and not particularly branded, making it nicely blend into your environment. Finally, as a bonus you get a pretty decent image quality, which is not unwanted of a webcam.
Tell me how!
Now that we know why to use an EyeToy let’s take a look on how to get it to work in Mac OS X. It’s actually pretty simple and more important: it’s free. The driver I used is called Macam, and you can download the latest version of from their site here (I tested version 0.9.1). Once you’ve downloaded it, copy the “macam.component” file into your “/Library/Quicktime/” folder. And that is basically it. If you restart your Skype or other app, your EyeToy will now show up just as any standard USB camera would. This works in both Tiger and Leopard, but I don’t know about OSX versions before Tiger.
iChat?
This will work in almost any application, but sadly not in iChat because iChat only works with Apple’s own Firewire iSight or build-in iSights. There is a solution called iChatUSBCam, which allows you to use any USB camera with iChat. It’s not free but reasonably priced ($9.95).
thankyou this will help alot for my pc. my friend jack is moving to perth and i want to talk to him everyday of the week. thankyou. from robby.
Conumdrum!
I have downloaded the files and they work perfectly, the camera records anything I want…however I dont get sound. After checking the input in the system preferances i can see the the microphone is receaving sound, any ideas as to what’s going on here then?
Well, if the camera works and the system says the audio works, it’s probably your application that’s broken somehow
All i can say is thx. The great thing is you made this possible for us to recycle our old PS2 cams. FYI i had to add a copy of the “macam.component” File in my HD/System/Library/Quicktime folder and Paste it there. And It worked Great.
Thanks for your Howto. But I have to note, that it doesn’t work with the new macam-Version 0.9.2 on my powerbook G4.
mine does, and i have a powerbook g4
(Running leopard 10.5.8)
it should work on tiger and above.
Tx so much. A bunch of old schoolmates from South Africa are having a virtual pub night on Skype conference call and my Windows laptop is too slow so I have to use the Mac. Can’t wait for later!
Hey man thanks so much for this! i got my imac ‘fixed’ cos i had a vertical line and the ppl frigged up my camera so whilst im waiting for them to fix it i needed a webcam. My trusty eyetoy was here gathering dust and i used to use it for a webcam on my pc, SO glad u made this post u rock!
So I downloaded the driver and everything, but when I try to copy the macam component into the folder, it keeps saying that Macam is in use. I’m not really sure what to do…
Have you tried rebooting?