Today my Xbox 360 Live Vision camera arrived. I chose this camera because it basically works on Mac OS X with a good frame rate. After testing that it worked in iChat, I pulled out my screwdriver and set to work converting the camera to see infra red.

Instructions:

1. Unscrew the focus ring past the focus stop and remove the lens assembly so it is separate.

   

2. With a flat head screwdriver gently pry the case apart until the case is unsnapped. The front case will then come off and you will see the PCB attached to the other half.

   

3. With a phillips screwdriver unscrew the 2 screws that attach the PCB  to the main body. In order to access the screws that hold the black sensor cap in place, you will need to pull out the white connector (USB cable).

   

4. Unscrew the black sensor cap screws on the opposite side to the previous screws to get to the IR filter. With a screwdriver or small knife, remove the filter from the sensor cap and cut 2 rectangles of exposed negative film which are the same size as the IR filter.

   

5.  Glue in the 2 exposed negative film rectangles where the IR filter used to be. I used the end of the flat head screwdriver to dab a small amount of clear adhesive to the sensor cap.

   

6. Finally screw the black sensor cap onto the PCB and the PCB onto the main body (remember to re-attach the USB cable). Then press the front case back onto the main body and the lens back into place. (You can see in the image below the dark exposed negative film within the sensor cap).

   

7. Once the webcam is re-assembled test to see if it works and you’re good to go!