Built-in iSight Camera with iMovie

Since my upgrade to Mavericks, I've never been able to use the camera from my Macbook in iMovie. Because when I wanna import video (or record), it says "No Device Connected." Is this a problem? Thank you in advance.

You're welcome,bimmerfan
I understand your frustration, but with the software changing and improving so much all the time, such problems are not uncommon. If you have one, in addition to importing video recorded on the camcorder, you can use a Mac-compatible DV camcorder that connects via Firewire as your direct recording source with iMovie HD 5.
Another alternative cheaper than upgrading your iLife would be to record with the latest QuickTime Pro and then import the QT file into iMovie HD 5 for easy editing.
BTW, Thanks for the !
Cheers,
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.2) External iSight

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Can I use built-in iSight camera with other apps?

Can I use built-in iSight camera with other apps?
How?
doesn't work in imovie or image capture

Hi Judson,
THe built in iSight will actually work with iMovie if you have the version of iMovie which comes with iLife 6. (see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61929 for a mention)
There is a slightly clumsy "workaround" available for use with earlier versions of iMovie, but you need a dv cam to use it - see http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20051217210335199
I gather that "EvoCam" - http://www.evological.com/evocam.html - will also work directly with the built in iSight.
So too, should recent versions of QuicktimePro.
As for other apps, tell us what you wish to do with it. We may be able to come up with some suggestions.
Cheers
Rod

How can I use the built-in Isight camera with an external camera (usb/firewire) at the same time?

How can I use the built-in Isight camera and an external video camera at the same time?
I'm wanting to stream over Oovoo/Skype/etc. using 2 cameras.
Thanks

Simple question with a not so simple answer.
(a) If you mean that you want to run multiple apps simultaneously using a different camera with each app, you may encounter computing power limitations. Digital video is processor intensive. The only way to know if your Mac can do this it to try it. If the video does not work together but each app works when it it the only app running, you are likely overloading your Mac's ability to process and/or move all the required data in your data bus. You can get a better indication of whether this is the case by watching your Activity Monitor utility while running the apps you want to use.
(b) If you mean that you want to have more than one compatible camera connected to your Mac simultaneously for ease of changing between video sources, some, but not necessarily all, apps you are using to operate your camera(s) allow you to select between your cameras.
How you select among connected cameras depends on which application you are using. Here is how camera selection works in a few examples:
(1) For iChat, you can choose which iSight you use in the "Camera:" choices bar in iChat > Preferences... > Audio/Video that appears when more than one compatible camera is connected. Although your camera choices will be different, the choices bar will look something similar to the Preferences settings shown here:
If you cannot see the "Camera" choices bar, your Mac is recognizing only one (or none) of your cameras. In that case, consider the suggestions fromhttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 for iSight problems or refer to your other camera's documentation for help.
This particular choices bar solution applies ONLY to iChat. Most other applications also have settings that allow you to choose which camera to use. However, they do not all work the same way.
(2) For instance, iMovie HD's camera choice is NOT set via Preferences. When you have more than one compatible camera connected, iMovie6 HD uses a drop-down menu choice something like this (depending on which version of iMovie you use):
Note: Because I had no built-in iSight connected when I made this example, and because my external iSight was not connected, the drop-down menu showed only "Time Lapse." Because your Mac has a built-in iSight, your built-in iSight would show in the drop-down menu even when no other camera is connected. Connecting an additional Mac compatible webcam should allow you to choose either camera.
Other iMovie versions work slightly differently.
iMovie 9 (from iLife '11) uses a different camera choice button shown in this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/9.0/en/mov39f84285.html
iMovie 8 (from iLife '09) is slightly different as explained in this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/8.0/en/10172.html
In general, you can use your Mac's help for the application in use to find out how to select among more than one connected camera.
(3) Photo Booth in Snow Leopard 10.6.x and later uses the Photo Booth > Camera menu command to select which camera to use.
Note for readers with older Mac OS X: The previous version of Photo Booth that came with Tiger (10.4.x) is such a simple, basic app that it offers no menu selectable choice. Unless your built-in iSight is already occupied as the camera being used by some open application before you launch Photo Booth, Photo Booth will use ONLY your built-in iSight.
However, you can use the trick from ¶ 4 of http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302781 to let Photo Booth use an external camera.
(If you have an external Firewire camera connected, it may be used in preference to any USB webcam. If that is a problem for you, merely disconnect the problem Firewire device.)
(4) For FaceTime, launch the app and click the Video menu item.
If your Mac recognizes more than one connected compatible camera, a "Camera" section listing the cameras from which you can choose will appear there. Clicking on the desired camera name will let you select the one you want as shown in this image from my Mac Pro and LED Cinema Display:
If your Mac recognizes only one compatible camera, the "Camera" section will not appear in the Video menu, but FaceTime will automatically use the connected camera that is recognized by OS X.
(5) I do not use Skype oir Oovoo. For those or other apps, see Help for each app for info on how to select your desired camera.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim

External isight camera with imovie on maverick?

Can someone please recommend an external iSight (or other) Camera to use which can record video directly into iMove on Maverick?
When trying to import a video, a drop down window shows the built-in iSight camera, as if options could possibly be available. If so, what might they be?
Thanks for any and all help!

You're welcome, Bill.
Bill Cruise wrote: ... camera ... compatible with iMovie ...
Use built-in iSight camera or a tape-based camera or camcorder: iMovie '11: Record video directly into iMovie.
If you have access to an old tape-based mini-DV camcorder with Firewire connection capability, you can use it. For example, my old Sony DCR-TRV17 and DCR-TRV70 camcorders work great with iMovie, both for import and, when connected via Firewire cable, for recording directly into iMovie. Both give better resolution than my old external Firewire iSights, and the camcorders offer the possibility of manual focus and zoom controls when needed.
As an alternative to recording directly into iMovie, record video and save movie files using QuickTimeX and a camera built into your Apple display or Mac, a DV camera connected via FireWire, and some USB webcams. Then Import the movie files into iMovie for editing.
Bill Cruise wrote: ... Apple iSight camera ... is no longer sold or supported by Apple... I may go ahead and buy one...
My external iSights (I have two) are great webcams, but they are getting old as consumer electronics go. Both of mine still work as well as they did when they were new. However, some previously owned or even NOS (new, old stock) iSights may have been damaged by rough treatment or improper storage.
An honest seller may offer you return or exchange privileges. If not, and if you don't want to spend the money to have your external iSight serviced, consider a new, Mac-compatible USB cam instead.
A new cam will include a current manufacturer's warranty, and a USB cam is not subject to the possible conflicts that can cause difficulties with the old Firewire-connected iSights.
Bill Cruise wrote:...Wonder why this info is so far to find? ...
It should not be. Let us know the specifics, and we will try to guide you to any other info you still need.
Bill Cruise wrote: ... better alternatives...using external cameras, and then importing the movie....works, but seems like quite a bit of extra hassle versus direct input to iMovie.
When your Mac recognizes more than one connected compatible camera, the others will also show in your a drop down window that shows the built-in iSight camera.
In fact the best alternative I have found for recording directly into iMovie is to use the built-in iSight camera in my MacBook Pros and my Apple LED Display. The resolution of any of these built-ins is better than the 640x480 of the old external Firewire iSights. The built-ins are also higher resolution than my old Sony camcorders.
As for your "extra hassle" comments, once you try using QuickTimeX and importing into iMovie, I doubt that you will find it a problem unless recording video is your primary use of your Mac. It is very easy to do, and you can use the QuickTime file as a good backup for your original source material that is easy to offload to a different disk for safekeeping.

ISight Camera with iMovie HD 6.0.3

I have a dy unibody MacBook Pro 15-inch released in June 2009. iMovie HD is not recognizing my iSight Camera. I have the latest version of Snow Leopard. Does the program just not recognize the cameras on the new computers/new OS?

icantwaitformyiphone wrote:
Yup I tried everything and it is the same with all user accounts. It is ONLY in iMovie HD. The other iMovie works fine as do other apps.
Thanks. The next thing I would try is to backup the Mac and then reinstall the iMovie app that is giving problems.
I suggest repairing permissions before AND after reinstalling. Then use your Mac's Software Update... menu command to ensure you have the latest version. If you need an update, do another permissions repair after the update is completed.
I am not certain of this, but *I think it is possible that doing the IM6.x reinstall may necessitate reinstalling iM8.x* (the one from iLife '09.) Therefore, carefully consider whether you want to reinstall IM6.x now. One possible workaround is to use QuickTimeX or the working iMovie version to capture your iSight video clips. You can then import the captured into IM6.x for editing.
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.3) MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.3)
LED Cinema Display G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

Using the built in Isight camera with MSn Messenger

I am trying to use the built in webcam on my MacBook Pro with MSN Messenger. I cannot locate the option to activate the camera. Any help is appreciated.

I have a new Macbook and want to video chat with MSN Messenger users.
Can I do that via aMSN?
I've also got XP running on my Macbook and have installed MSN Messenger running but I cant seem to get XP to recognize the built in camera. Is there a way to do this?
Thanks in advance

New Intel iMac - How do I record from built-in iSight Camera in iMovie?

How do I record in iMovie? Is there a way to record video with the Video Effects included?

Check out iMovie Tutorials.
For step by step video instructions, go to the left column & click on *Other Ways to Import Video*

IMovie '08: Built-in iSight camera not recognized in Yosemite

On this page
http://support.apple.com/en-us/TS2472
iMovie '08: Built-in iSight camera not recognized
it says:
In Finder, navigate to /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/
Select the file com.apple.mio.VDCAssistant.plist and delete.
Restart your system.
You should now be able to use your iSight camera with iMovie.
However, in Yosemite, it only has this file name
com.apple.cmio.VDCAssistant.plist
and I don't want to delete it as instructed without someone who knows telling me it won't hurt my newly installed and thus far working well OS 10.10.1, with iMovie 7.1.4 on my iMac 24 inch, Early 2008, 2.8 GHz Intel Dore 2 Duo, 2 GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. It worked with Leopard, and I don't recall having to use the above mentioned support page.

Contact Apple. I believe you have a hardware issue there if it's not showing up in your System profiler.
Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

IMovie 6.0.3 does not recognize built in iSight Camera on new iMac

New iMac, Intel, OS 10.5.4, QT 7.5.
Built in Camera works with Photo Booth, the new iMovie 7.1.3 and iChat.
iMovie HD 6.0.3 or 6.0.4 does not recognize the camera. Opening a new project results in a No Camera Connected error. I have tried selecting various options in the video format drop down when creating a new project. I have repaired permissions, tried it under various users, removed the imovie plist, reinstalled imovie (both 6.0.3 and 6.0.4) without success. All 10 of the new computers are exhibiting this problem.
Any help would be appreciated.

That is not an option that I can select on the imac's. On my iBook under 10.5.4 with iMovie HD 6.0.3 or 6.0.4 I can click on the triangle next to the camera icon and select the built in iSight camera. On the new iMacs that does not work. The built in iSight is not listed as an option.

Using built in camera with iMovie 3.03

Is there any way I can use iMovie 3.03 with the built in iSight camera? The mode switch doesn't recognize the iSight camera and says 'No Camera Attached'

iMovie 3 is simply too old. By the way, iMovie 3 is aso so buggiest version, ever.
Why not use iMovie 6, which shipped with your computer.

Built in isight camera not working with flash

My built in isight camera on my macbook works just fine in photobooth and in skype or ichat.. but just in the past week or so, it will not work when im on websites that use flash. I've seen some threads that say that I need to go into settings and make sure that the camera chosen is the USB. When i go into flash settings, the only options are Google1, Google2, or Built in isight. It doesn't work with any of them. Does anyone have any idea how I can make it work again?

zeppelinfan1234 wrote:
I don't have google add ons. I followed the path but i have no Google folder in Application Support. Any other suggestions?
Your problem is not the same as that posted by the OP, and your system info shows you using Mac OS X (10.5.6).
For your symptoms with this system, I suggest you do the following:
(1) Apply the 10.5.8 Combo Update using the following process:
• Backup your Mac and turn off Time Machine
• Disconnect peripherals and restart Mac
• Use Disk Utility to repair permissions
• Download and install
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate
• Repair permissions again immediately following the restart that finishes the update.
• Test whether Flash works for you now.
(• Turn Time Machine on later when you are satisfied that the update worked.)
(2) After applying the 10.5.8 Combo, if you are still having problems, download and install the latest Flash player compatible with your system:
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/
Also check any other third-party browser plugins or other add ons. Apply all available updates and uninstall any third-party items that are known to be incompatible with your system.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

How do I get iMovie to recognise & allow me to use the built in iSight camera?

How do I get iMovie to recognise & allow me to use the built in iSight camera?

You do not mention what version of iMovie you are using, so I will assume it is the same as mine, iMovie '11, version 9.0.8
When you launch iMovie you should see, just above the Event Library, a camera icon. Click that.
Once you click it you will see a new window labeled "Import From: Built-in iSight." In the bottom right corner there will be a button labeled "Capture." Use that when you are ready to capture your video.
Best of luck.

Built in iSight camera no longer showing up or recognized by iMac

Hello there - I have a white 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac with a built in iSight camera, and the camera is no longer showing up, or is not recognized by the computer any longer. Very strange! The little green LED by the camera is not lit any longer, and the camera is not recognized any longer by Photo Booth, iChat AV, or any of the other apps that would use the camera. This is a real pain, because I am leaving for France in a couple days and am taking my MacBook Pro with me, and am hoping that I can use iChat AV to talk to my kids at home on the iMac. I do have an extra iSight camera that I have hooked up to the iMac and can use in a pinch, but I really want to use the built in camera on the iMac. Any hints / ideas / suggestions on what to do for this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

No, unfortunately that did not help. I did the following...
1. See if the issue is application-specific. - Nope. Camera is not recognized in any of the apps that it should be recognized in, I tested iChat AV, PhotoBooth, ImageCapture, and iMovie.
2. See if the issue is user-specific. - There's only one user account on this Mac, so I couldn't do that.
3. Find out if the computer recognizes the iSight. I went into System Profiler and checked the USB profiler, and the camera does not show up.
4. Reset SMC or PMU. These just looked like different ways of restarting, which I did multiple times.
I have also run my Software Updates (on OS 10.5, which I did with a clean install from an OS 10.5 DVD by the way) and still no camera. This problem started happening with the original OS 10.4 (which it came with) and I was hoping a clean install of the OS would help, but no.
I'm wondering if resetting the PRAM might help, but I can't remember those keys you hold down while restarting (was it Apple-Option-P-R ?) or if that is just reaching waaaaay back to the pre OSX days.
Here's the kicker though - if I plug in a FireWire iSight camera, all is well. I'm really hoping that the camera isn't jsut dead, but it's starting to look that way. Would Disk First Aid or maybe DiskWarrior help?

MacBook pro does not recognize built in iSight cam even after restart/ reset

After years of using Sony hdr500 video cam, iMovie stopped recognizing it and then stopped recognizing the built in iSight cam as well. Now photo booth does not see it either. I have restarted the computer to reset SMC and that did not resolve the problem. I would appreciate any help offered. Thanks JJMANN

see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1151 Check cables, connections, too many devices, etc., suggested there.
If your issue persists, try these steps:
Shut down the computer.
Disconnect all devices and cables except the keyboard and mouse cable(s).
Disconnect the computer from the power outlet and wait for 3 to 5 minutes.
Plug the computer back in and turn it on.
Reconnect the device(s) (one at a time if there is more than one) and test. Test with each port if you have more than one.
With all you have already done, if no USB devices are recognized or work on your Mac after you have also considered all the above, you likely have a hardware problem. Contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
MBP 15" i7 (Early'11) OSX 10.7.3 13" MBP (Mid'09) 2.26GHz OSX 10.7.3

Built in isight camera no longer showing up or recognized

Hello there - I have a white 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac with a built in iSight camera, and the camera is no longer showing up, or is not recognized by the computer any longer. Very strange! The little green LED by the camera is not lit any longer, and the camera is not recognized any longer by Photo Booth, iChat AV, or any of the other apps that would use the camera. This is a real pain, because I am leaving for France in a couple days and am taking my MacBook Pro with me, and am hoping that I can use iChat AV to talk to my kids at home on the iMac. I do have an extra iSight camera that I have hooked up to the iMac and can use in a pinch, but I really want to use the built in camera on the iMac. Any hints / ideas / suggestions on what to do for this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong forum, this is for G5 PPC iMacs. You need to be [here|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1110].

Built-in iSight Camera with iMovie

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