Most webcams come bundled with Windows-Only programs to tweak camera settings like brightness, contrast, zoom, etc. Apple Mac users should look at one of two $10 utlities from www.ecamm.com - iGLASSES or iUSB Cam which can give you far greater control over your external UVC webcam or built-in iSight, giving precise image ajustment abilities. Very useful programs - especially if you use iChat - iChatAV and PhotoBooth.

For those wanting to prepare video clips for, say, uploading to YouTube: A notable Macintosh capture utility with image adjustment controls and fun effects is Webcam Tweaker from www.tweakersoft.com

For others: Most QuickTime enabled video capture apps often already have image adjustment controls somewhat hidden in the Video Settings... preferences section. So if you use these sorts of programs - you may have more image options available than you thought.

Tags: ecamm

A great new iPhone - iPod Touch app available at the iTunes app store is the Senstic Air Cam live video remote webcam monitoring iPhone app.

Hook any of a number of known USB Video Class compatible webcams for Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard - or web cameras for Windows XP or Vista and Air Cam lets you view live video feed from your computers built-in or external webcam directly on your iPhone/iPod Touch using your home Wi-Fi networks.

Need a baby monitor? Set up your iSight webcam in the baby's bedroom, and remotely check up on your baby with your iPhone/iPod Touch without stepping into the room. Need a pet monitor? Use AirCam to remotely monitor them. You can even turn Air Cam into a low-cost, affordable home security surveillance system. Simply point your webcam to the location you want to monitor, and receive live video feed on your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Tags: Aircam, Air cam, senstic, iphone app, App store, surveillance system

Google has announced Gmail voice and video chat plug-in users to allow Cross-Plaform Google Talk video chat using their new plug-in. Might prove to be a viable alternative to Skype for reliable Mac to PC videochat calling.

Tags: Apple, Windows, gmail video, Mac PC chat, google video, gmail mac, google talk

A new release - now at version 2.0 of CamSpinner lets Apple Macintosh webcam users capture web cam video for uploads - or to FTP to web servers. Added is the ability to save up to 20 custom presets for optimal video grabbing of still shots or audio and video clips at resolutions ranging from 128x96 up to 768x576 pixels (on web cameras that support greater than 640x480 resolution) - Any Mac compatible UVC webcam or iSight / FireWire input is supported as well as image adjustment and compression controls available in QuickTime. Nice little app for only $12.95, Free trial version of CamSpinner is available at http://www.optima-system.com/

Tags: Mac Webcam, macintosh video