Everything Apple (the Mac heads thread)

^ horrendous, I expect with WFH across the globe its something they are going to rectify when they launch the new mini led MacBook Pros later this year, if not really missing a beat.

I’d go with image one, 15 years younger.

It’s something I had noticed about this new Mac- my older (2016) MBP had a much better picture when using Zoom, Teams etc (the modern working day in these new times).

The new MBA really struggles when it gets darker, also.

The Fuji does have a comparatively enormous lens and sensor - but then it doesn’t have to fit in 3mm depth of lid.

It's still pretty nuts when you think that in their phones Apple have consistently had either the best, or one of the best, cameras in the market. Even more so when you think how much of the image quality is software dependant.

But then until recently how many users have used them that much?

It would be great to be able to use my iPad Pro as a webcam, with the person I am talking too displayed on the iPad, that way I could look directly at them with my laptop on my desk, taking advantage of the better camera and my investment in various bits of Apple tech.

Can you not do this because the dual screen thing doesn't work with the camera, or do you need a stand?

A music stand would be a simple choice. Or if you want something less utilitarian there must be tonnes of things like this on etsy.

It’s just not supported by Apple so you can’t use the camera with the iPad running Sidecar

Just run EpocCam

Can run using the selfie camera of an iPad whilst the iPad is in sidecar mode?

I can give it a go. Pretty sure I have a license

Vlog dropping soon! NO i wont buy CBD.

It's still pretty nuts when you think that in their phones Apple have consistently had either the best, or one of the best, cameras in the market.

Yea it boggles the mind, but then again they surely could put better cameras in there if they wanted. It's not a priority.

I complained about their "shit" 720p webcams a lot when looking to buy a new laptop last year.
10 months and numerous Zoom calls later I don't have an issue really.
Maybe if everybody has top of the line glass fibre connections and pro-grade hardware you can run smooth video calls in higher resolutions, but my real life experience is that connection speed and weak laptops bottleneck so hard that a lot of people can't even have "HD" on and some need to switch off their video completely to be actually able to take part in big Zoom meetings.
I did try the EppoCam @Soul mentioned but it was too much faff and frankly not worth it, matter of fact it does look fine with the built-in webcam of the 16", as long as the light isn't too dim at least.

It does not.

You have to have the app on screen. Switching to another app or to sidecar stops transmission of footage.

Even more so when you think how much of the image quality is software dependant

They claimed that the image processing in the M1 makes the webcam picture quality better. Apparently Dammit disagrees.

I don't know if they can fit anything better without making the screen thicker.

Thanks for trying. In order to look people in the eye I've ended up with this, frankly ridiculous setup, but hey - when working from home you have to keep busy.

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If you're keen to keep busy, I imagine the cable management on the right should take an afternoon to resolve.

Apparently the latest iPhones do magical looking in the eye processing but only on FaceTime. I wonder if it will make its way into Zoom, Teams or Messenger.

I wonder about decent cameras on Zoom. There isn't enough bandwidth for a good picture, so maybe that's why Apple don't bother. Have you done a comparison at the receiving end or was that just on your screen?

I've done some test calls - as long as I stay relatively still the other party gets a very good, clear sharp image. If I wave my hands around then it pixelates massively as my copper DSL just doesn't have the bandwidth to cope.

Not seen this tested beyond here yet but kind of amused - particularly the face alignment which looks batshit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFK7Iy8enqM

sorry if I've missed it somewhere but any chance you can link to the capture card you're using? About to upgrade to an M1 MBA, and really want to do a similar rig with a camera

Is your VC software not available for iOS so you can use your iPad in standalone mode for calls?

I’m using Camo to use my iPhone as a Mac webcam, with a phone stand behind my desktop monitor to maintain eye lines while talking/typing. Works really well with the free version.

Think I’m gonna go for the M1 mini. I have an old 24” cinema display (mini dp), will it work with an adapter on the HDMI port and the USB ‘hub’ from the USB port? would be handy if I didn’t have to upgrade the monitor immediately.

sorry if I've missed it somewhere but any chance you can link to the capture card you're using? About to upgrade to an M1 MBA, and really want to do a similar rig with a camera

I got this one

Is your VC software not available for iOS so you can use your iPad in standalone mode for calls?

It is, and that's what I'm going to try this afternoon, it will be interesting to see the comparison between the iPad Pro selfie cam and a Fuji XT-2 with the F1.2 56mm lens.

cheers!