Built-in iSight blurry with iChat

When I use iChat my preview is clear and then goes blurry when I start to chat. I have tried extra and different lighting and iGlasses. I have also changed the video prefs in iChat to bandwidth limit is none. I think it might be my Quicktime prefs but not sure which streaming speed to pick. At the moment it is set to 256 Kbps DSL/Cable. I checked with my internet provider to see what DSL speed I have and it is 128 Kbps DSL but there is nothing in Quicktime prefs for that. I don't have this problem with Skype with the current settings but the audio isn't as good as iChat.
iMac5,1 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Hi Hejo,
I think your DSL connection is not really fast, it might be just a little to slow for a crisp picture. Your preview picture is always nice, it is closed circuit. (not over the internet) Skype video uses less bandwidth and can run on less bandwidth than iChat.Try to boost your airport and it might get better:
This can be accomplished with the AirPort Admin Utility (located in Applications/Utilities).
Open the AirPort Admin Utility, and click on your desired Base station on the left-hand pane, then select "Configure." Go to the "AirPort" tab at the top. Next, find the "Mode" pop-up menu, and select 802.11g-only. Of course, you will need a Mac with an AirPort Extreme or other 802.11g-compatible wireless device in order to connect to the Base station.
(Core 2 Duo)
JP
MBP 2.33GHz intel core 2 duo 3GB 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM Mac OS X (10.4) (8P2127)7

Similar Messages

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

Want to manually ajust the built in Isight camera for Ichat?

Want to manually ajust the built in Isight camera for Ichat?
Sometimes because of backlights and face look black for example, etc.

Hi
You need iGlasses http://www.ecamm.com/mac/iglasses/
Tony

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

Built in iSight issue with Vonage softphone?

I'm not certain if this is similar to the post by Francisco Viana but I've lost my built in iSight too, and as far as I can tell started after having loaded Vonage's softphone which has a known issue with the Intell processor in MacBook.
I'll remove softphone from my MacBook but is there any way to tell if this is the culprit otherwise?
John

I'm not certain if this is similar to the post by
Francisco Viana but I've lost my built in iSight too,
and as far as I can tell started after having loaded
Vonage's softphone which has a known issue with the
Intell processor in MacBook.
I'll remove softphone from my MacBook but is there
any way to tell if this is the culprit otherwise?
John
Removed softphone, then tried to see if I could find the driver in extensions, couldn't so then ran a test and got this:
090154.054092 Loading hardware rules from hardwarerulesH264-G4.plist
090154.054195 Checking H264 hardware rules
090154.054244 Satisfied rule #1 (20:640x480)
090154.054515 setLocalUserName: John [email protected]
090154.091405 Default video size is (640x480)
090154.102408 ### NEW STATE: to: VC_INIT, from: VC_INVALID
090154.103163 ### NEW STATE: to: VC_IDLE, from: VC_INIT
090154.103258 ++++++++ confStatusMapRemoveAll
090154.103311 ( ) -- mapUserIDToSecurityInfo cleared --
090154.103553 UPnP init passed
090154.103779 NATTraversal created
090154.103916 QT automatic setting = 16777216
090154.103932 Bandwidth based on QT prefs = 0
090154.108016 BWD: GotBandwidth: 481403/1335882 (up/down) @[192.168.0.2:255.255.255.0]
090154.108088 BWD bandwidth: 481 kbits up, 1335 kbits down.
090154.108130 videoNetworkCapable: 1 -- 3 max participants.
090154.108164 audioNetworkCapable: 1 -- 9 max participants.
090154.108230 vcCapabilities returns: 0x0000003f
090154.108273 VCCapAudio
090154.108308 VCCapVideo
090154.108349 VCCapMultiAudio
090154.108378 VCCapMultiVideo
090154.108407 VCCapMultiAudioHost
090154.108446 VCCapMultiVideoHost
090154.164494 Found 0 cameras:
090154.164828 Found 0 cameras:
090154.164879 selectCamera: returned 0
090154.178749 Microphone devices:
090154.179078 Internal microphone
090154.179182 Line In
090154.179266 Selected mic: Built-in Microphone / imic
090154.179404 Found 0 cameras:
090154.179506 Found 0 cameras:
090154.179543 selectCamera: returned 0
090154.181861 Microphone devices:
090154.181962 Internal microphone
090154.182056 Line In
090154.182116 Selected mic: Built-in Microphone / imic
090154.185927 Found 0 cameras:
090154.186151 Found 0 cameras:
090154.186193 selectCamera: returned 0
090154.189079 Microphone devices:
090154.189190 Internal microphone
090154.189347 Line In
090154.189418 Selected mic: Built-in Microphone / imic
090154.352672 UPnP Router Info:
- manufacturer []
- friendly name [Residential Gateway]
- model name [Residential Gateway]
- model desc [Residential Gateway]
090154.353258 UPnP: Begin TCPProc
090154.507120 UPnP: TCPProc begin loop
090155.568456 Found 0 cameras:
090155.568727 Found 0 cameras:
090155.568827 selectCamera: returned 0
090155.571801 Microphone devices:
090155.571954 Internal microphone
090155.572178 Line In
090155.572252 Selected mic: Built-in Microphone / imic

Macbook 10.5.8 Version Built in ISight problem with YM 3.0 beta version

I am using my Macbook built in ISight with the latest version of Yahoo Messenger for Mac, the 3.0 Beta. Every time i will use the YM webcam, it will only last for about 1 minute and will not work anymore. This is happening since i bought my macbook last November 2008. it will be a year next month and still the ISight is not working properly with YM. When i checked from the store where I bought my macbook, they said it happens in YM coz according to them YM is not yet fully applicable with apple laptop models and recommended to use other messenger instead. My family and friends are using YM only to keep in touch with me so I don't have a choice but continue using YM. Its really disappointing coz I even downloaded the other version of YM before this 3.0 version, but same problem still exists.
Can anyone help me on how can i fix this problem? or if there is really a solution on this..I've always wanted to have a macbook laptop but having this kind of problem really made me think if i did a right decision to buy this laptop. it is indeed an expensive laptop but i cant enjoy it fully...
please help me!!!

Welcome to Discussions, Marianne Bayogos
Problems like yours, especially those involving known-unreliable (Beta) software, can be difficult to resolve. You need to start by troubleshooting to determine the source of the problem. Then you will KNOW what to fix. You seem like a fairly experienced user, so try any of the following you think might help in any order you like.
(0) You can use the suggestions in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 to determine whether iSight is causing your problem. Be sure to try with more than one user account and with some other apps, too.
If your iSight works properly with all other apps in every user account you test, your Apple hardware and software is NOT the cause.
If you can eliminate iSight as the source of your trouble, you will need to either switch to other ways of communicating or troubleshoot other system elements that might be causing the problem. Here are some other things you can consider if you don't get better suggestions here.
(1) Sometimes a restart restores function on internet connected applications. Shut down everything and restart your entire system including modem, router, and Mac in that order. To eliminate possible communication hardware problems, allow self-test to complete on each device before starting the next.
(2) If you updated or installed any other software immediately before the problem began, check their websites to see if there are known issues with your system configuration or installation. If these are no know issues, carefully following the developers' instructions, reinstall any recent software additions that you think might be causing a conflict with YMM, use Disk Utility to repair permissions, and try again. Doing this reinstall will reduce the possibility that some recent addition might be conflicting with your new YMM Beta.
If you find conflicting software, follow the instructions and uninstall to see if removing it will restore proper function to your favored communications apps.
(3) Check YMM's Help: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/messenger/mac/mac3/index.html
for help with installation and communication requirements/ configuration topics.
If you do not find the answers there, check the dedicated YMM forum (use the "Ask Other Messenger Users" link on the help page) to see if your problem has already been solved by other users who post there.
(4) You can also take your MacBook to a different location and see if the connection works when you access the web via a different internet connection.
(5) I no longer use YM because I often encountered problems like those you describe, but my testing from several years back showed that Yahoo! seemed to support the Windows version of their messenger app better than the Mac version.
Because your iNtel Mac can use Boot Camp, VMware Fusion™, Parallels™, or VirtualBox to run Windows® software, there is another alternative available to you. Choose which method you want to use to run Windows®, add the required software to your iNtel Mac (if you have not already done so), and then install and use Yahoo! Messenger for Windows.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/platform/win
(6) If all else fails, and if your family and friends are willing to try something "new and improved" (does NOT work with Yahoo! Messenger), you can both install and try a different video chat app such as Google Talk or Skype.
(7) Alternatively, you can try the web-based video chat sites like http://www.mebeam.com/ or Defcom's recommended TokBok.
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.1) MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.1)
G5DP1.8GHz (10.5.8) G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) LED Cinema Display External iSight

Blurry Built-In iSight when using iChat

I have a new 20" iSight iMac and seem to be having an issue with using the iSight w/ iChat. The picture looks perfectly clear in my preview window, until the moment where it actually connects with another user, at which time it immediately goes blurry as if the camera has completely lost focus. I've tried on multiple occasions, connecting to people who also have an iSight/iChat with everyone having high-speed connections.
This seems like a bug to me, and there's no way to manually focus the camera until/unless iGlasses comes up with a version that's compatible w/ the new iMacs. I've searched and seen this problem mentioned a few times on the boards, but have yet to hear a solution or even whether this is something fixable or not.
Thoughts?!
20" iSight iMac 2.1 gHz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

It's certainly possible there's some kind of bandwidth detection going on that made it blurry, but it doesn't make sense that it would make the picture BLURRY, rather than make it lower quality (more pixalated). I have a cable connection that has a very fast upload speed, so if there was a bandwidth problem, it wasn't likely on my end.
Today I connected w/ a neighbor and didn't have the blurry problem, though I did have the problem with the other two people I've tried it with.
Next time it happens I'll check the connection doctor to see what it says. I should also note that when I connected to the same people using a stand-alone iSight, I did NOT have the 'blurry' problem. It seems to be confined to the built-in camera, and again it looks fine until it actually connects to someone.

Does any body knows how to make built in isight work with wondows xp!!!

Hi everybody!
I have the intel ship MacBook Pro, i'm runnining windows, i can't make it work, is there a plugin or a driver that i need to download, is there any body that can help me with this? please.
Thanks.
MacBook Pro Windows XP Pro built in isight

The internal iSight is installed and works correctly under Windows XP on my MacBook, but it doesn't install correctly anymore under Windows XP on my Intel iMac.
I think there is a problem with the latest iSight driver provided in the latest update to Boot Camp.
I suggest you search and post in the Boot Camp forum:
<http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1165>

ISight works with iChat & iMovie but not with 3rd-party apps

Hi,
I cannot get iSight to work at all with aMSN, Mercury Messenger or Yahoo. It is fine with the Apple apps. My son has a G4 iBook and the same iSight works fine on this with the Apple apps and aMSN. We have looked at all the settings we can think of, and they are the same on both computers. There must surely be a very simple answer...
Any help greatly appreciated.
Bob.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Hello Bob. If you unhook your son's iBook from the ethernet cable, plug in your PowerBook where his iBook was, and still have the same problem, you likely need some work on your Mac.
It may be an issue of the relative health of your Mac versus the vagaries of some third party software:• Be sure you Mac OS X maintenance is up to date.
• If you have not already done so, try re-applying the 10.4.3 Combo Update. Unless you have a "tried and tested" update method, I suggest a technique such as How I Update My Mac OS X.If that does not help, and if your Mac works with all your other apps, see the app's Help, Readme, or other documentation that came with the download for the problem app(s). If that fails, see the Support sections of the third party app web site to find out its known issues with your Mac and for help on how to install and use their applications. If they cannot help you use their application, you may want to try a different app.
In the worst case, you may want to get a PC if you must connect to the PC versions of Microsoft or Yahoo! Messenger. These apps are better supported for the PC platform, although they do not offer the features of iChat AV 3.
The simpler answer is iChat AV, but iChat AV will not connect for video with your chosen third party apps.

Built-in iSight problem on iChat w/ Macbook Pro

when i try to invite people to see my iSight, it says connection failed because Ididn't respond. This has happened almost every single time I have tried to connect. The only 2 times it has worked, one of the times it disconnected after a few minutes. The other time was just a few minutes ago when my dad and I connected with our iSights. Although it worked with my Dad and I, it didn't work with 2 other people both immediatly before and after my dad and I connected.
I found this answer but have no idea what it means. someone said it worked for them but i am not a computer genious. anyone know how to help?
the answer i found: If it isn't your Firewall settings, what kind of router are you using and does it use UPnP?
If it does, try toggling UPnP off and on again, then connecting. Also, you might want to try using a different MTU setting. The Ralph Johns site has some recommendations on values to use.
This happens to me with my brother and toggling the UPnP solves it (Netgear D834G router). However, if I turn off or reboot my router, I have to toggle the option once more to get video chats working again.
macbook pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi Molly,
Ok UPnP stands for Universal Plug and Play.
This is a means where the Application on the computer instructs the modem to open the ports it needs.
It allows multiple computers and other devices on your LAN to use the same ports at the same time.
This means that the router or modem can be left in it's default mode which is likely to be DHCP.
Ok so now DHCP is a means whereby the router or modem gives out IP addresses to the devices and computers on your LAN.
Your computer keeps the same IP until the lease time runs out. If the computer is on and connected to the DHCP serving device then the DHCP lease is renewed. If it is off or unconnected at the time the lease runs out then the IP gets changed the next time the computer is tunred on. (with a Mac this also includes Sleep). It acts as if it is a new computer on the LAN is one way of looking at it.
So if you use Port Forwarding and DHCP there is a chance your computer's IP will change at times. As the Port Forwarding points to one IP on the LAN it may not always be pointing to your computer.
As you are using UPnP which means any IP can have the ports open it does not matter if your computer's IP changes with using DHCP.
Now your computer and modem (or router) can be set up so that the IP to the computer never changes. This is called Static routing.
It is created by turning Off DHCP in the modem or router.
A change needs to be made on the Mac in System Preferences > Network > Connection method >TCP/IP tab.
In the drop down that reads Using DHCP now needs to be changed to read Manually.
After this you need to type in the IP in the filed underneath that the computer is going to use.
Alonmg with the Subnet Mask and "router" IP info and possibly the DNS server info if you have it.
Now the IP you choose needs to be in the same range the Modem or router is using.
So if your modem is at 192.168.1.100 then your computer needs to be any number in 192.168.1.xxx except for .100 as long as it is between 1 and 255.
The other info should be copied from the Using DHCP settings
(Subnet Mask, DNS Servers and "router" IP address).
Hope this is some use.
11:03 PM Thursday; June 1, 2006

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

Built-in iSight Freezes when iChat Connection is established

I'm attempting to iChat with friends who have an iMac Duo from my Macbook. Both our cameras work just fine. This has been confirmed using Photobooth. However, the moment we connect their camera image freezes and I receive no image of them is transmitted to me. We've used Connection Doctor to confirm that no video signal is being received on my end, but their getting signal just fine from me.
Things we've made sure of are.
1. We know from Photobooth and iChat before connection is made that their camera works fine.
2. We know there are no blocks in place.
3. At an Apple Operator's suggestion we are both using 100kbps setting to rule out bandwidth issues.
4. We have both followed the instructions of this article, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93208
One Apple operator suggested we reinstall iChat AV, but there is no way to do so from the Apple website. The Apple Site only goes up to 2.1, and that won't install.
My friends and I are good Apple people with .Mac accounts using iChat (a Mac service) with Mac Products. Also, we both have current Apple Care protection plans. Basically, we're all APPLE! Please help us.

Welcome to Apple Discussions, bobthecopywriter
Sorry you are having problems with video chat. Until you get more good suggestions from Tony, here are a couple more things you can consider:
(0) Unless you have already tried restarting, shut down everything. Then restart your modem and wait until it finishes its self-test. If you use a router, restart it and let its self-test run. When all self-tests are finished, restart your Mac and try again.
(1) If the restart does not get things working for you, when you post back, please let us know whether you and your problem contact can successfully text chat. Also, can you successfully audio chat?
(2) It will usually be simpler to fix one problem at a time. Both you and the chat buddy you are trying to contact should test with others to determine which system is the source of the problem. See this list of Buddy Names for iChat Test for names of testers you can add to your buddy lists.
When testing with anyone other than the "Auto-Respond Test Accounts", I suggest that always text first. Successful video is very unlikely if you cannot get a successful text connection.
(3) If you cannot connect with anyone, check your internet service, connection, and Check your Broadband Speed. Post back both your DOWNLOAD and UPLOAD speeds.
We will try to offer more specific suggestions based on your responses.
Cheers,
Jim
Mac OS X (10.4.9) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

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

I can't record straight into iMovie with my built in iSight

My built-in iSight works with iChat and Photo Booth, but not iMovie. How do I fix this?

Hi
Under the viewer (Window that plays Your clips or movie) You can select
editing or Camera. On my Camera button there is a smal black triangle.
Click on this and select iSight.
Yours Bengt W

Problems with built-in iSight and iChat! Nothing works!!

Hello,
i have a problem with my iChat, iChat said that no camera is connected, but the built-in iSight works with Photobooth!
I read many Threads here but no solution works,
there is also an entry in the system profiler USB --> built-in iSight
I closed all other Aplications like Photobooth, iMovie and so on,
than i checked the activity monitor.
I changed the settings in iChat (bandwith) and Quicktime (bandwith)
I did a PRAM reset...nothing changed!
I did a SMC reset...also nothing changed!
The built-in iSight doesnt works with Skype, too!
Please help me!

Hey, I hope people aren't getting annoyed by my compulsive posting, but I think this solution needs to be spread, it doesn't get enough publicity:
the issue is that with 10.5.1, a certain quicktime component that acts as a USB controller for the iSight camera is given an expiry time (i.e., the file is given a feature similar to "trial periods"). This file is then deleted, and iSight ceases to function. All that need be done is to replace the component, by downloading it here:
http://techslaves.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=q8frk8vf81l0f8echu6mj0plk0&action=tpmo d;dl=item16
(disregard the version marking, it works for 10.5.2 in the very least)
Copy it to ~/System/Library/Quicktime, then reboot and it should work.

Built-in iSight blurry with iChat

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