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

Similar Messages

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"

HT3103 Is external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip?

Is the external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip

stewartmevans wrote:
Is the external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip
yes
However, if your Mac has only Firewire 800 ports, you need an adapter such as one of the following to connect your FW400 external iSight:
• This Firewire 400-800 cable can work: http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7041ZM/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 iSight's FW400 6pin-6pin cable, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter like one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m (I successfully use this one, too.)
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz OSX 10.7.2 24" LED Cinema Display
iPad2 iOS 5.0.1 5th Gen AEBS
MBP 15" i7 (Early'11) OSX 10.7.2 External iSights
13" MBP (Mid'09) 2.26GHz OSX 10.7.2 iBook SE 366MHz OSX 10.3.9

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.

External iSight Camera - Will it work with a PC?

I have an older, external iSight Camera that I no longer need because all my Macs now have iSight built in. I'd like to give my old iSight to a friend, who owns a PC, so we can video chat. Is there software available so the iSight will operate with a Windows XP Operating system? Thanks!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISight#iSightonWindows

External isight camera used with boot camp

I'm trying to set up my EXTERNAL isight camera with windows vista under bootcamp. I want to be connected to skype (version 5.1) when I'm working on the pc side of my Mac Pro under boot camp. I've upgraded boot camp to the latest version (3.2) but it seems that the only drivers supplied are for built-in isight cameras and these don't work with my camera. I've checked the downloads section of the apple site with out luck. Is there a driver for the external isight camera or is there a way of making the built-in isight drivers work with my camera?

I do not run Windows®, so I do not have a specific suggestion for you. If you do not get the answer you need here, consider the following:
• You may find your answers at http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/
• User satcomer claims external iSight works with Windows®7 Professional 64bit here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=13135622&#13135622
• This search may help you: http://tinyurl.com/5v6s2tt
• Search or post here: http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1244
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.7); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.7)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.3.1

Anyone know how to get external iSight camera sound to function on 2011 Mac mini with Lion?

I recently helped my Mom upgrade from an older Mac mini to a 2011 model, and the external iSight camera shows video but has no sound. She can see and hear me through both iChat and FaceTime, but I can only see her.
I have checked the source for the mic in FaceTime and iChat preferences as well as the System Preferences, and I can see the monitor responding to input, but it is not sending the sound.

(1) You're welcome! We will be eager to see how it works for you.
(2) If iChat can't access your external iSight, there is something wrong.
• If Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
   suggestions do not help you, continue with the following.
• Use Disk Utility to repair permissions and then
   download and apply the 10.7.2 Combo Update:
     http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1459
• Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart
   that completes the Combo update.
(3) If your mini does not have a Firewire 400 port, also check
     your connections. Options I know for ways to connect
     a FW400 external iSight to a FW800 Mac port:
• This Firewire 400-800 cable can work: http://store.apple.com/us/product/TU942LL/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 successfully use this one, too.)

Using External iSight camera instead of built-in with iMovie

I have a MacBook Pro with built in iSight as well as an external iSight camera. I want to shoot some instructional knitting videos with the external camera, holding it over the shoulder of the knitting instructor while she discusses what she is doing. When I go to iMovie, I only see the option of using my built-in iSight. How can I work around this and use the external camera? Thanks for your help with this!

Judith Augustine1 wrote:
I have a MacBook Pro with built in iSight as well as an external iSight camera. I want to shoot some instructional knitting videos with the external camera, holding it over the shoulder of the knitting instructor while she discusses what she is doing. When I go to iMovie, I only see the option of using my built-in iSight. How can I work around this and use the external camera? Thanks for your help with this!
Welcome to Discussions,
Your external iSight must be connected and turned on before it can work with iMovie.
You can test whether your external iSight is working by using the suggestions here:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
When your external iSight is working, you can select it as explained in this iMovie Help article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/8.0/en/10172.html
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/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

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

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

External iSight microphone not working with Mac Pro

i have researched this extensively to no avail.
i have an external iSight camera plugged into a pci express firewire port (i got one hoping to solve the problem). the camera works fine except for the mic. it shows up in audio inputs in system preferences but will not produce sound.
i have troubleshot it by plugging it into a Powerbook G4 and the mic worked perfectly. i have also tried different firewire cables and plugged the iSight into the firewire ports on the machine.
does anyone know if there are know bugs with leopard and external iSight...seems so weird that it would work on a G4 and not my Mac Pro.
any insight or help would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to  Discussions, bigboi78
I do not have an iNtel Mac, but external iSight, including its mic, work fine on my 10.5.6 G5 DP tower.
As I understand, you have checked System Preferences, found external iSight as a Sound > Input device, and selected iSight's Mic. However, adjusting the "Input volume:" slider there while you make some sounds does not effect the fact that the "Input level:" digital VU meter there never flickers regardless of input volume setting.
I also understand that you used the same Firewire cable with your external iSight on both Macs, so we can eliminate a possible cable problem.
If my understanding is correct, I can think of two possibilities that may give you a fix before you seek help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP.)
(1) Be sure to test with ALL other Firewire devices disconnected to avoid Possible Hardware or Software Conflicts with iSight. If you have any untested third party iSight or AV software, you might even consider whether that could be causing a conflict.
(2) Applying the latest Combo Updater often solves strange problems. Do it this way:
• Download http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_6_ComboUpdate
but do not install it yet.
• Disconnect all Firewire devices (if not already done) and restart your Mac
• Repair permissions
• Apply the 10.5.6 Combo Updater
• Immediately after the restart that finishes the update, repair permissions again
• Reconnect iSight (only) to test whether the problem is solved
• If so, reconnect your other Firewire devices (if any) one at a time and test again
• If the problem returns when you have multiple FW devices connected,
you need to keep the others disconnected while using iSight's mic.
(3) My only remaining suggestion is to seek help from an AASP.
We will watch for your status update.
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.6) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

External iSight mic not working with facetime. Snow Leopard, mac mini w/ firewire v1.0.2, 800/400 firewire adapter

External iSight camera connected via Firewire adapter 800/400 to a Mac Mini running Snow Leopard - a visual signal comes up for iChat and FaceTime, only sometimes does a video signal comes up for PhotoBooth, always no sound for any of the applications. System Preferences "Sound" shows "Input Level" set around 75%, however only periodically do I see blue bar move, almost like a short in the cable, but the adapter is new. Firewire firmware is v1.0.2. Tried to use firewire updater to get 1.0.3, but updater won't update for Snow Leopard. For being advertized as the world's most advanced OS, seems like Apple OS could at least work with Apple External iSight camera ! Any help much appreciated on fixing the missing sound.

This means that my Firewire 400 ports on the display are no longer supported by the computer?
They need a FireWire connection to the computer. With older computers, the FireWire cable from the display would plug in to a computer FW400 port to provide the connection. With FW800 only computers, you need the adapter.

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.

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

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's compatibility with OS 10.5.8 / iMovie 09

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