Apple has published a list of Macs that support sending and receiving HD calls through its new FaceTime for Mac software, clarifying who can do what. The short version of Apple’s KnowledgeBase article is that as of this writing, only the MacBook Pro models announced earlier on Thursday can send a FaceTime HD call, but many Macs (see below) can receive them, and most Macs can send and receive standard definition FaceTime calls.

With FaceTime HD, you, too, can be this hot

On the sending end, Apple lists only the new MacBook Pro models announced earlier on Thursday. On the receiving end, the company lists all Mac Pros (with an HD camera), and recent MacBook an MacBook Pros, recent iMacs, and recent Mac minis (with an HD camera).

Apple wrote that, “Macs with a built-in FaceTime HD camera are capable of sending call video in HD.” These include:

• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

Many Macs, however, can receive FaceTime HD calls., including:

• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
• MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010), or newer, with a 2.53 GHz or better processor
• iMac (20-inch and 24-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
• iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Late 2009), or newer, with a 3.06 GHz or better processor
• Mac Pro (all models), with a compatible video camera Mac mini (Early 2009) or newer, with a 2.26 GHz or better processor and a compatible video camera

Macs not listed above that are running Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later can send and receive standard definition FaceTime calls. Apple also noted that sending and receiving HD calls requires 1 Mbs in throughput.

For a further bit of clarity, Apple offered the following example:

You are using a MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) with FaceTime for Mac to call a friend who is using a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011). Your MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) will receive HD video from the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011), and your friend’s MacBook Pro will receive standard definition video from your MacBook.

FaceTime for Mac was announced Thursday and is available for US$0.99 on the Mac App Store.