Connecting to webcams on student version

I am running Student Version R2010a on Mac OS X, and I would like to use the Image Acquisition toolbox to connect to a webcam through USB. However, as far as I can tell none of the student versions (even R2011a) offer a version of the Image Acquisition toolbox that is supported on Mac OS X. Am I missing something, or is there actually a way to connect to the webcams using my machine and Matlab version?

Answer 1

[Nathan]

In case anyone else runs into this, it's a bit weird. I contacted Mathworks support, and apparently this is a bug in their purchasing process.

First, make sure you upgrade to Student Version (SV) R2011a for Mac OS X, 64-bit. Once you have that installed, go back to the purchasing page for Student Version and this time select Windows as your operating system. Choose the Image Acquisition toolbox from the add-ons for SV R2011a for Windows, and go ahead and download it. You will get an email that directs you to the download page, and when you get there you can choose Mac OS X 64-bit as your true operating system, and the files you end up with should be for Mac OS X.

I assume the Mathworks will get this fixed at some point, but until then this is how to get around it.

[Walter Roberson]

Thanks for taking the time to document this!

Answer 2

[Kaustubha Govind]

The basic Student Version does not ship with Image Acquisition Toolbox. You can however get it as an add-on: http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_version/companion.html

[Nathan]

When I bring up the list of available add-ons for Student Version R2010a - Mac, I do not see the Image Acquisition Toolbox. The Computer Vision System Toolbox is available, but it says that it uses the Image Acquisition Toolbox to interface with cameras. Will I be able to connect to the webcams if I only have the Computer Vision System Toolbox?

[Kaustubha Govind]

The Image Acquisition Toolbox was supported on Mac only starting R2010b. You might beed to upgrade to R2011a to get this (another catch is that you need to be on a 64-bit Mac).

The Computer Vision System Toolbox is new in R2011a. If the documentation says so, you will need Image Acquisition (at least for a subset of the toolbox functions).

[Arnaud Miege]

The Image Acquisition Toolbox is available for Mac for $29 if you look at the page that Kaustubha mentioned. The system requirements for v4.1, which ships with R2011a, are listed at:

http://www.mathworks.com/products/imaq/requirements.html

The Computer Vision System Toolbox is something completely different, see http://blogs.mathworks.com/seth/2011/04/15/introducing-the-system-toolboxes/.

[Nathan]

The information page for the Image Acquisition Toolbox does show that it is compatible with Mac, but to my knowledge it is not available on the student version. When I go to the "Buy Now" page for Student Version, select R2011a for Mac, and look at the available add-ons, the Image Acquisition Toolbox does not appear. However, if I select "Buy Now" for Student Version R2011a and select Windows, the Image Acquisition Toolbox IS available as an add-on. Am I interpreting this correctly to mean that even if I buy R2011a Student Version for Mac I will still not be able to also purchase the Image Acquisition Toolbox?

[Arnaud Miege]

Hmmm, you're right, sorry about that. Try contacting customer service:

http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_center/order_assistance.html

[Nathan]

Thanks, I'll contact them. I'm just glad to know I'm not crazy :)