External iSight camera problem solved!

Hi all,
Hope this will help some of you.
My iSight camera works fine with G5 PPC but on my new Intel Mac Pro - nothing, not seen in System Profiler or Skype - I don't use iChat . I tried everything suggested here to no avail, until while looking on Amazon for something else I found a company selling 9 Pin to 6 Pin FW leads, who stated that often FW800/400 adaptors with FW400 leads do no work. They quote "Ours are guaranteed to work". I bought one plugged it in and success iSight now seen in both System Profiler and Skype.
It is supplied by Neet and its description is "Firewire 800 to 400 cable -(2M)- 9 Pin to 6 Pin - IEEE1394b(for Mac & PC) 2M FLX Pro lead. Cost £7.95 + £2.75 special P&P.
Many thanks to all on these forums for so much help
John Caswell

John Caswell wrote:
Hi all,
Hope this will help some of you.
My iSight camera works fine with G5 PPC but on my new Intel Mac Pro - nothing, not seen in System Profiler or Skype - I don't use iChat . I tried everything suggested here to no avail, until while looking on Amazon for something else I found a company selling 9 Pin to 6 Pin FW leads, who stated that often FW800/400 adaptors with FW400 leads do no work. They quote "Ours are guaranteed to work". I bought one plugged it in and success iSight now seen in both System Profiler and Skype.
It is supplied by Neet and its description is "Firewire 800 to 400 cable -(2M)- 9 Pin to 6 Pin - IEEE1394b(for Mac & PC) 2M FLX Pro lead. Cost £7.95 + £2.75 special P&P.
Many thanks to all on these forums for so much help
John Caswell
You're welcome, John.
Cheers for your solution for using your old external (Firewire) iSight with a new Mac.
I have gathered my personal experience and the successes of others who post here. To your recent success story, I add the options I know for ways to connect your FW400 external iSight to a FW800 Mac port:
• This Firewire 400-800 cable can work: http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP320LL/A
(I use this one.)
• Some report that this low-priced alternative cable works:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189097"
• To use your FW400 6pin-6pin cable, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter like one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m (I use this one.)
http://tinyurl.com/cgll7o
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fw_adapter.html
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; iPod4touch4.2.1

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HT2090 External iSight camera video feed working fine but mic is not working Mac Pro 2009 and Mountain Lion 10.8.4

Finally I decided to move forward and installed Mountain Lion 10.8.4 (with all the updates). Now I am facing a dilemma, my external iSight Camera is working fine regarding the video fee but the Mic is useless. I am using a Mac Pro 2009 and a Apple Cinema Display 30". I checked all the trends about iSight External devices but no one has a really specific solution for my problem. Firewire is not longer supported with Mountain Lion? By the way my iSight was working perfectly before. So I am wondering if something wrong happened with the OS and the support for this kind of device?   I reset the PRAM, the SMC, even I reinstalled the MAC OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4) from scratch. So I am wondering if the problem is that ML is not longer supporting this device or what is the issue here.
Hope someone can help me with it!
Thanks
Jalcom

Jalcom wrote:... Firewire is not longer supported with Mountain Lion?...
Not true. External iSight works fine with my '09 Mac Pro and 10.8.4.
Jalcom wrote:... So I am wondering if something wrong happened ...
So it must have.
Jalcom wrote: ... help me with it!...
You have tried several good things, but there may be other suggestions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 that you have not yet considered. Be sure to check more than one Apple app in more than one user account to help you pinpoint the cause of your trouble. Then you will know what to fix.
In addition to the Apple troubleshooting, check your  > System Preferences... > Sound > Input to verify that your iSight's mic is selected, not muted, and that its volume setting is properly adjusted. You may need to check this again after restarting Mac or changing apps that use the mic.
Also, be certain that the apps you are testing are configured to use iSight's mic. Different apps select the mic in different ways. For example, QuickTime X allow selection among various microphone alternatives via one of its preferences as shown in the image below:
(I was using my Display microphone and did not have my external iSight connected when I made this image. Therefore, there is no iSight mic shown in my list of mic choices above. If your iSight's mic is properly connected, turned on, and recognized by your Mac, iSight will show in your QTX microphone preference choice list.)
If you are trying to use your iSight with a Flash based web site, also check your Mac's  > System Preferences... > Flash Player > Camera and Mic settings to verify that your Flash system preferences are not blocking your mic.
Some other apps may offer mic and or camera selection via their application menus. If you have trouble finding out how to select the iSight internal mic in other apps, check each apps' Help or post back the name of the app whose selector you cannot locate here so we can try to help.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz OSX 10.8.4 24" LED Cinema Display          External iSights

Can't Get External iSight Camera to Work in XP Pro.

I just installed XP SP2 via Boot Camp on my Mac Pro. I had trouble getting the Boot Camp Drivers Wizard to complete. It would freeze.
After I disconnected my iSight Camera and Apple USB Modem, I was able to get the wizard to complete.
But on reboot I still see Found New Hardware Wizard.
I also still see question marks beside my iSight Camera in Device Manager.
I tried to run the Apple Booot Camp Driver Wizard again using the REPAIR option. Same problem..
Any Ideas?
Rob

It looks like Apple does NOT provide any Bootcamp drivers for EXTERNAL iSight cameras.
I am out of luck!! Pity!!
From wikipedia:
"Microsoft Windows XP and Vista will autodetect an external iSight camera as “1394 Desktop Video Camera”, but no specific iSight driver exists for Windows"
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISight
If someone knows of a Windows driver that will work with an EXTERNAL iSight camera, please let me know.

External iSight camera's compatibility with OS 10.5.8 / iMovie 09

I'm new here and joined because I couldn't find the answers to my questions anywhere on the net.
I just upgraded my OS to 10.5.8 and then installed iLife 09, only to discover that my USB iMage webcam won't capture video in iMovie 09. So I've been researching a replacement, only to get totally overwhelmed by the options. I don't really need a more expensive digital camcorder . . . just a good quality webcam for vcasting.
I found an "A" model external iSight camera still new in box from an Amazon seller but am hesitant to push the BUY button for fear it won't do what I want or isn't compatible in some way with either the new OS or iMovie 09.
I surely would appreciate some input for you all about this iSight camera option and whether it's the best choice.
Thanks,
Janae

Welcome to Discussions, Janae
(1) Although iMovie Help says you should use a firewire webcam, as shown here, your USB iMage webcam should be compatible with 10.5.8 and iMovie '09:
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/imagewebcam/apps.html
Restart your Mac with your webcam connected and check iMovie function again. If you don't already know, this tutorial will show you how to record from a built-in USB iSight:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie-isight
To use your USB iMage webcam, the only thing you need to do differently from what is shown in this tutorial is to *be sure your webcam is selected* (instead of iSight) in the "Camera:" choices bar in the recording preview window.
(2) If you still have problems, try the relevant suggestions from
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1059#4
If you still have problems, post back any new info you discover during troubleshooting. We will try to offer specific suggestions based on the details in your response.
(3) If you want more info about camera alternatives, see Ralph's User Tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2018211
A couple of Firewire webcams that may still be available are:
http://www.firewire-1394.com/fire-i-webcam-unibrain.htm - and -
http://www.welovemacs.com/isweet1.html
Other readers should be aware that some webcams do not have built-in mics, auto-focus, etc., so check carefully for any features that are important to you.
In case you find any of these, this old review gives some opinions on the relative merits of a few different Firewire webcams:
http://www.macworld.com/article/27783/2003/12/firewirewebcams.html
EZ Jim
“I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link."
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.8) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

External isight camera shows in use by another application. OSX 10.4.11. Profilers se the isight in firwewire attached periperals. I've tried all of the various suggestions. Unplugging, deleting plist items starting restarting.

I've tried multiple discussion lists and suggested workarounds nothing seems to work. I have an external isight camera that worked the last time I used it. I switched cables. Plugged and unplugged camera. deleted plist files but this camera refuses to show up in any of the applications. Sound preferences doesn't recognize that the external isight camera is attached, Imovie says no camera attached even thought the system profiler see the camera in textural detail. I chat shows in use by another application. The are no other open apps.
i've read dozens of articles but it seems that this may be an apple bug. When are they going release the patch?
Any body have a fix for this problem. 6 months ago it workedj

Hi,
Can you access it it System Preferences > Accounts > Your account by Changing the Pic and chosing the Snapshot option ?
Also consider Audio apps as the iSight has a Mic in it.
IS the System Profiler identifying it as being at Firmware 1.0.3
In 10.4.x and 10.5.x the iSight Firmware Updater is in Hard Drive/System/Library/Core Services in a folder called iSight Updater (it is not there is Snow Leopard)
It may pay to try Flashing the firmware again if it is updated and see if that sorts anything. (Last resort)
In the mean time check Activity Monitor
This should list iChatAgent when you start the computer (normal)
vcencoder (lower case) should only start if a video chat is started (or you access the iChat Preview or Video Preferences in iChat.
If vcencoder is showing then use the Quit Button in Activity Monitor and Foirce Quit it.
I would also consider deleting com.apple.ichatAgent.plist at this point. It is this support app that controls access to the camera (Starts vcencoder) and may be part of the issue.
A failed chat and a "Stuck" status in a .plist may try to inform the camera it is in a chat but this would not explian why other computers Respond the same way.
The iSight Firmware may be the only option.
I have not tried this or heard of anyone who has.
<
11:25 PM Saturday; May 7, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.7)
, Mac OS X (10.6.7),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

External iSight Camera not working after update installed?

a couple of weeks ago I turned on iChat and up popped a window that said i needed to update the (external) iSight camera i had plugged into my minimac (firewire). followed the instructions and did just that. little greenlight glowed happily, rotated lens and opened iChat--little green light blinked off and then iChat showed that the camera was not turned on. tried turning it on and off by rotating the lens, unplugging firewire and also restarted computer...no change. looked for update to firmware and downloaded 1.0.3, only to be told it does not work with OS 10.4 (bummer).
had a back up camera, plugged that in and no problems...trouble is roomate recently got the pop-up screen when he was using it and, thinking he was doing me a favor, 'updated'...so now have 2 cameras that do not work and no answers to be found on the posts or the apple support site.
any ideas?

Welcome to Discussions, johnboysf
(1) Assuming you are not ANY having other problems with your Macs and that your Mac OS X Maintenance is up to date, you can concentrate on the iSight part of your system(s).
Restart your Mac with no unnecessary peripherals connected and try the suggestions here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93240
(2) If your iSight still does not work with any app, check for Possible hardware or software conflicts with iSight.
(3) I cannot tell whether your mini is an iNtel or PPC. Apply the appropriate Combo Updater as follows if you still have the problem:
• Backup your Home Folder, or at very least, your important files.
• Repair permissions. (Click here if you need help.)
• For PPC, download and apply the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Combo Update (PPC).
• For iNtel, download and apply the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Combo Update v1.1 (Intel).
• Finish with another Permissions Repair, and then check your iSight again.
Users have reported fixes to a variety of audio, video, connectivity, and software conflicts and unreliability issues after properly applying Combo Updates.
(4) If your problem persists after trying all of the above, the problem may be with your iSight itself. The fact that you got that notification after you had previously been using your iSight successfully under OS 10.4.x, and the fact that the updater ran for you and your roommate under OS 10.4.x, makes me think there may be something wrong with your iSights. The Tiger (10.4.x) OS includes all the necessary earlier update (including iSight Firmware 1.0.3) and installs the Firmware update if necessary at the time you installed Tiger or first connected your iSight. Therefore, the Firmware update should be unnecessary and should not have been identified by Software Update... as being needed (unless someone has improperly thrown away some OS X files.)
As you note, iSight Firmware 1.0.3 will not run except on Mac OS X v10.3.7-10.3.9 (or, it now seems, if something is wrong.) If you have access to a Firewire-equipped Mac that is using one of these OSs, you can try applying the update to your iSights using that Mac.
(5) If you cannot find a Mac that is still using Panther, or if applying the update does not resolve your problem, contact your Apple Authorized Service Provider for professional service. Ask your AASP if he wants to see your Macs, too, to check whether their software has been modified or damaged.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5) External iSight

External iSight camera video delay in 10.5.2

Since upgrading from Tiger to Leopard, external iSight camera has a short video delay which renders it unusable for video conferencing in iChat AV. Has any one noticed this? The cam has the latest firmware so that is not the problem. The delay is very obvious in Photo Booth as well. The delay is also apparent on my Macbook Pro 17 with built in iSight. Is this normal?

Welcome to Apple Discussions, bzamp1
I do not experience the delay you describe, but I do not have any known solutions to offer. Because the problem is the same on all of your Macs including your MacBook Pro, you can rule out processor speed as the sole problem.
Some iNtel Mac users report poor AV sync in Photo Booth even though they are running no other applications and have plenty of free space on their hard drives. However, you experience the problem with other apps, too. The fact that your problem occurs with multiple software applications remove candidate issues like bad applications software, low internet connection speeds, or improper network configuration.
If you updated to 10.5.2 via your Mac's Software Update... feature, try the following:
• Backup your Home Folder, or at very least, your important files.
• Repair permissions. (Click here if you need help.)
• Then download and apply the Mac OS X 10.5.2 Combo Update.
• Finish with another Permissions Repair, and then check your iSight again.
Users have reported fixes to a variety of audio, video, connectivity, and software conflicts and unreliability issues after properly applying Combo Updates.
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

Original external iSight camera crashes video apps on Mountain Lion

I had another discussion going about some firewire issues I was having. I figured I would start a new on with just the iSight issue and tracking down the problem.
I bought a new Macbook Pro 13 with OSX 10.8.2 installed. I checked for updates and found there was 10.8.2 Update 2. Installed that and Garage Band, iMovie, iPhoto and updates for Safari and iTunes.
Eventually, I got around to trying my external iSight camera. Plugged it in, started up Photo Booth, got the spinning ball of death, and then the app crashed. Every Apple app with video input that I tried crashed.
System Information listed the camera under firewire, so the cable was good.
I decided to reinstall OSX on a separate partition and go step my step to see what was killing the iSight.
Got the the base system installed as it came from the Apple store and tried the iSight. By the way, the iSight is connected via a FW400>FW800. Worked.
Next was to download the 10.8.2. Update 2. Installed the update and connected up the iSight. Worked.
Next I updated Safari to 6.0.2. Connected the iSight. Worked.
Next I updated iTunes to 11.0.1. Connected the iSight. Worked
Next I installed iPhoto 11 ver 9.4.2. Connected the iSight. Spinning ball of death. Crashed app.
Appearently there is a conflict with iPhoto and the iSight.
I might try another reinstall of OSX and install the apps without doing the 10.8.2 Update 2 and see what happens.

pwrg4 wrote: ... Does iMovie need to install before iPhoto? ...
No.
pwrg4 wrote: ... Do I have to reinstall everything 2-3 times before it works? ...
No. The following method works first time for me every time:
I ALWAYS use the Combo version of updates.
• Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions and then
   download and apply the latest Combo Update, for ML Mac OS,
   the current one is at: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1581
• Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart
   that completes the Combo update.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.2

External Isight camera & 2012 Macbook Pro not recognized

Hello,
External Isight camera connected to 2012 Macbook Pro through Firewire. Green light on camera comes on but camera is not recognized in Photo Booth or FaceTime. Also does not show up in hardware.
Hope someone can help, Dan

How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional
How to Troubleshoot iSight
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.10.1

External iSight cam not working with iChat

I've got an external iSight cam that was working fine in 10.5.8 with iChat - I'm using 10.6.1 now. Now when I open iChat, the camera stays off (no green light) and iChat video preview says that another application is using the camera so it's not available, which of course, is not true.
I've tried everything I know, but can't get it to work. The camera works with Skype, so I know it's functioning properly.
When I checked the Connection Doctor, under Network, it says that there's something in my network setup that is preventing video chats, but I haven't changed anything since upgrading to SL. I have a direct ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router - Covad. My wife's iChat works fine with her new LogiTech camera, and she's on the same home network/router.
Message was edited by: Macaroni108

Opps,
My head read that as MacBook Pro. Sorry.
Try Restarting the computer whilst Holding done the Apple (CMD)+ALT (OPTION)PR Keys until you have heard three start up Bongs.
Chax is an iChat Add-on.
Different version have done different things in the different iChat Versions.
There is only a Alpha test version of the one for Snow Leopard.
The iChat 4 version does not work in Snow Leopard/iChat 5 and that was why I was asking.
7:43 PM Monday; September 14, 2009
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Is there a plan for Apple to continue offering the external iSight camera?

Hi All,
I'm thrilled to be the new owner of a Mac Pro w/Cinema display, but I'm getting jealous of my partner on his MacBook Pro with built-in iSight camera, having all the fun with video iChats and video Skype calls.
Since Apple has discontinued sales of the old external iSight camera, does anyone know if they have any plans for a new (even cooler) version? Or, if not, any recommendations on another product that would work just as well?
Thanks!

Hello John and Peter
¶2.1.1 of Apple Discussions' Terms of Use prohibits us from speculating on Apple's plans here. If you want to pursue that question, you can search the web for some of the many Mac or Apple rumor sites.
Some of the many available iSight alternatives are discussed in this link. Because you are using Leopard on your new Mac Pro, all of the alternatives mentioned there are available to you.
At present, the Apple Store sells the Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision. However, any of the alternatives from the link in the paragraph above will work as long as they are compatible with your system and the applications you plans to use with your camera. The package documentation for many cameras list compatibility info for popular applications. Carefully check the documentation for any apps and cameras of interest before you buy.
Also check the camera's advertised features to be certain your compatible camera has all features that are important to you (examples: auto-focus, auto-exposrure, zoom capablility, integrated microphone, etc..) You may not need many, or even any, of these features, but many low priced Mac compatible cameras omit at least some of the features that you may need.
You will not have any difficulty finding cameras that will work with both iChat and Skype. For specific camera recommendations for iChat, search the iChat and iChat Sharing Forum for threads like this one.
For Skype-specific questions beyond what Webcams that Skype sells for use with their software, see the Skype Help pages.
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

Missing video effects for iMac g5 w/ external iSight cam

I have a G5 iMac with an external iSight camera and I'm wondering why I do not have the option for video effects while using photo booth and iChat. My wife's macbook does include video effects, so my first bet is that Apple decided not to give me the option with my OS upgrade. Anyone have a way to remedy this without spending over 2K again?

DP, he has Photo Booth and Front Row, its the effects in iChat that he can't use, and I do think that's an intel function.

Using external isight camera with imac intel

is there a procedure to use my 'old' portable isight camera with my new imac intel?

i did some tests and here's how is is done:
plug in the FW external isight camera; open SKYPE and prior to calling on SKYPE; go to preferences.; go to 'video' and there NOW two selections 'built-in isight' and 'isight'; select 'isight' and that will be the camera you will using once you make the SKYPE call; HOWEVER if you want to switch back to the 'built-in isight' you have to 'hang up'; go back to preferences and select 'built-in isight' and re-make the call. BTW Apple care in the far far east was next to no help. maybe apple care will read this post and then THEY TOO will have the answer.

Use external isight camera instead of built-in isight

Is it possible to have an external isight camera be default instead of the built-in camera at the top of the monitor? I'd like to use the external camera, which is more portable than the monitor, with such programs as Skype, but -(on Skype at least) I'm not given the option to choose anything except the built-in iSight cam. Can the external iSight be the default cam?
Thanks.
Lee

Not to sure if an external webcam (iSight) can be the "default" webcam. Usually, the video app gives you choices of which webcam to use.

External iSight camera

Is there any way to disable the built in Isight camera and use an external one instead? I've tried an external isight cam and opened Ichat and it says the camera is disabled. When I also connect the external one it's light goes on then off.
Any ideas?
Message was edited by: Highjinx

Highjinx wrote:
Is there any way to disable the built in Isight camera and use an external one instead? I've tried an external isight cam and opened Ichat and it says the camera is disabled. When I also connect the external one it's light goes on then off.
Any ideas?
Message was edited by: Highjinx
There is no need to disable built-in iSight for your stated purpose.
However, if you want to disable, scripts like this can easily disable and enable built-in iSight:
http://techslaves.org/index.php?page=62
Be aware that such scripts simultaneously disables ALL USB webcams when active.
I've tried an external isight cam and opened Ichat and it says the camera is disabled. When I also connect the external one it's light goes on then off.
You select which camera iChat uses in iChat > Preferences... > Audio/Video. When more than one camera is recognized, a "Camera" choices bar appears that allows you to select the camera there.
Any ideas?
More complete info: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11355158&#11355158
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.4); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.4)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

External iSight camera problem solved!

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