External ISight Firewire with Onlocation

Should an external Apple ISight firewire camera work with CS5 Onlocation's real time field monitor (ie vector scope and waveform)?
Also, are there any other specifications for the type of camera that are compatible?
I understand that there are also caveats as non-support of avchd format.
I know this horse has been beat to death...
Thanks

To the best of my knowledge, any FireWire camera should work fine.

Similar Messages

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.

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.

ISight FireWire with 2010 Mac Pro

I just picked up an iSight FireWire Camera off Craigslist. Since my Mac Pro does not have a FireWire 400 port I picked up a Belkin FireWire 800/400 9-pin to 6-pin cable.
When I plug the iSight into the rear FireWire 800 port iChat starts and the green light on top of the iSight camera is illuminated. I can see video clearly, but there is no audio. I check System Profiler and System Preferences and everything is listed and selected as they should be.
Does anyone have any ideas why I would not be getting any audio?

You have marked Malcom's response Helpful
Does that mean your question is "Answered"?
If you still have a problem, post back and we will try to offer suggestions based on your new details.
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

ISight (firewire external) and Adobe Onlocation software

Adobe requires a firewire to work with onlocation.
Is the external ISight firewire camera compatible with onlocation?
Has anyone tried to work with this on a Mac?
Specifically, I want to use the wave generator and vectorscope feature within the Adobe software.

Hi,
I have no information on this.
Having said that I have not heard of an App that could not see an External iSight.
I did find this http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405857.html that lists known issues and some problems with some sample rates and Audio Card abilities.
7:05 PM Friday; September 16, 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( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Will a external Apple iSight work with the latest Mac Mini?

with a firewire 400-800 if it will what software do i need to take pictures and videos.
Many Thanks

Will a external apple isight work with the latest mac mini.
Yes (if the external iSight works.)
External iSights are great webcams, but they are getting old (as consumer electronics go) and some have had pretty rough treatment. You can test yours using the suggestions from this page:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
I suggest you disconnect other Firewire devices until you get your external iSight working with your mini.
If you do not already have an external iSight and are considering buying one now,
a new webcam (with warranty) may be a better choice.
Many available alternatives are listed here: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
THEMACMINIMAN wrote:
with a firewire 400-800 ...
Use one of the following ways to connect your FW400 external iSight to a FW800 Mac port:
• To use the FW400 6pin-6pin cable that comes with iSight, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter
like one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m&emsp; (I use this one.)
http://tinyurl.com/cgll7o
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fw_adapter.html
• 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
I suggest you disconnect other Firewire devices until you get external iSight working with your mini. Once iSight works when it is the only FW connected device, you can try connecting other Firewire devices to determine whehter you can use any of them without conflict.
... if it will what software do i need to take pictures and videos.
With your 10.6.3 mini, you can use QuickTime X, iChat, Photo Booth, iMovie, and some of the other apps that are installed with OS X. Your Mac's Help for each of these apps can tell you how to use them with iSight (or other connected cameras.)
Some more apps you can use are shown in this list:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage7.html
The web links for each app gives details on what functions is offers with your webcam.
Many Thanks
You're welcome.
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

External isight wont work with imac g4

Hello,
I recently purchased a second hand isight camera using ebay.
I have an older imac g4 and the isight wont work with it at all.
I have scoured the forums on this topic and looked through all of EZ Jim's suggestions but I think my problem is a little bit different.
I'll explain exactly what happens and my troubleshooting so far...
The imac G4 is powered off, I plug in the external isight via firewire 400
The imac boots up into leopard 10.5.8 (using leopard assist)
In system profiler the isight is listed under the firewire tab.
( I can post system profiler info on this if its needed)
When I turn on the camera ichat launches, but then in the video tab it says no camera is connected.
Photobooth just has the no camera sign, but interestingly when ichat is opened photobooth says "camera off"
sometimes photobooth even lets me click the photo button, it counts down but then it doesnt take a picture... obviously!
Skype doesnt work.
I have an imac 24" running snow leopard 10.6.6 .... that also detects the camera but it won't work with any application such as skype or ichat.
I have tried (on my G4) unplugging my usb bluetooth module but nothing changes.
My G4 is connected via ethernet to an external router.
The firewire cable seems ok, I dont have any other firewire devices, but if it was a problem with the BUS or the cable then im guessing it wouldnt show in system profiler.
I am thinking the camera is probably damaged, but before I start a paypal enquiry I would like to see if it is just my computer or a setting i need to change.
(oh I used the application isight updater in core services but the install button is greyed out)
Any help would be amazing!!
Thanks!!!

Well, about all you can do would be to try a different and known good
FireWire cable, as a replacement for what may be a defective FW400
cable that came with the iSight camera. The cable can be defective
with one bad wire, yet sometimes appear available to the computer.
• How to Troubleshoot iSight (note external vs internal)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2090
• iMac G5 (iSight), & Intel-based iMac: Using External video camera:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2819
If you know of someone with an older Mac without a built-in iSight
camera, to test that one on, this may be an OK idea. Not sure if you
could get any traction by taking the camera to an Apple Specialist
and ask if they could check it out for you; that may also cost you.
{And since your computer does not officially support Leopard 10.5,
the other avenues of support would probably not be open to you.
At least not with the old iMac G4 and an unsupported 10.5 install.}
I have an external iSight camera which was included with my G4 Mini
1.5GHz model, and that appeared to work OK with 10.5.8 at one point.
But I really have no need for it, since I don't use photobooth & so on.
And haven't tried that with my iMac G4 computers at all. No need to.
With a computer not equipped with an iSight camera, the Leopard 10.5
installation should still support the eventual addition of one; even if the
computer itself appears to not officially support a Leopard 10.5 install.
(You refer to Leopard Assist, a means to install in slower CPU Macs.)
The FW cable is about the most easy to consider at this point.
In the course of a year, I've found good replacement cables at
several places, even those at thrift stores in perfect shape, work
and I use them for FW external hard disk drives, primarily. To have
spares is nearly always a good idea. Test & keep known good ones.
I'm not certain how the external iSight FW camera may work on
a newer Intel-based 24" iMac with a built-in iSight camera, too.
Does your 24" computer have FireWire 400+800 ports? Can you
choose an external iSight camera and ignore the built-in one?
These secondary topics have probably been discussed in the other
forum area for Intel-based iMac computer models; if you chose to
try & use that camera with a model computer with one built-in...
• Apple - Support - Discussions: for Intel-based iMac
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=189
There is a possibility, if never tried and the iMac G4 computer was
acquired second-hand, that the FW port within it may be band; but
the cable is the first item since it is cheapest, in troubleshooting.
So, anyway, the hour is late here (1AM) so hopefully the matter
can be resolved with a known-good replacement FW400 cable.
You should not have to restart the iMac G4 (800?) model in order
to get a FireWire item to be recognized. It should appear in the
System Profiler's list under FireWire, such as things normally do.
Of course, the camera could be defective as well. Been some
time since they were available on sale, new from Apple...
You could ask around to find out if there is a way to use that
external iSight camera with your newer Intel-based 24" Mac
by someone having it ignore its own built-in camera; in a
way as to not affect its normal operation, that is.
Good luck & happy computing!
+{ edited 2x }+

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

External iSight problems revisited

My original post here: http://discussions.info.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10805558
After further research, I actually have the exact same problem detailed in this topic: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1014900 ("Your camera is in use by another application" error message persists after exhausting all troubleshooting options)
I went to the Genius Bar with my iSight thinking it needs a firmware update. The Genius found out he could not apply the update unless he was booted into 10.3.9, and their OS install disks did not go back that far. So I went home and clean installed 10.3, the 10.3.9 Combo Update, and all other updates listed in Software Update (including a fresh iSight Updater 1.0.3!) onto a new partition in my Mac Mini G4.
After attempting a firmware update and looking at /Library/Logs/iSightUpdater.log on my 10.3.9 system, I believe the reason my iSight is not recognized is that it cannot read the Serial Number or Firmware Version of my iSight, and therefore does not add it to the device list. Here are the Console messages from iSightUpdater.log running on my 10.3.9 system:
2010-12-11 13:09:10 -0800: iSightUpdater was launched by Finder.
2010-12-11 13:09:10 -0800: iSight Updater will install firmware version: 1.0.3
2010-12-11 13:09:10 -0800: UI: Plug in an iSight to update its software.
2010-12-11 13:09:16 -0800: UI: Plug in an iSight to update its software.
2010-12-11 13:09:36 -0800: iSightDevice::initWithService: Open produced error 10000003.
2010-12-11 13:09:36 -0800: UI: Plug in an iSight to update its software.
*2010-12-11 13:09:47 -0800: iSightDevice::initWithService: Couldn't read serial number.*
*2010-12-11 13:09:47 -0800: iSightDevice::initWithService: Device not added to device list.*
2010-12-11 13:09:47 -0800: UI: Plug in an iSight to update its software.
2010-12-11 13:10:17 -0800: DEVICE REMOVED:
2010-12-11 13:10:17 -0800: Product: iSight
2010-12-11 13:10:17 -0800: Vendor: Apple Computer, Inc.
*2010-12-11 13:10:17 -0800: Serial Number:*
2010-12-11 13:10:17 -0800: GUID: a270000001b2a
*2010-12-11 13:10:17 -0800: Firmware Version: (null)*
"Couldn't read serial number" happened after I turned the iSight on. "DEVICE REMOVED" happened after I turned the iSight off and unplugged it from the Mac Mini. Notice that the Serial Number and Firmware Version were not retrieved by the system. The system recognizes that an iSight has been plugged in, but will not release it for use with other applications since its Serial Number and Firmware Version cannot be determined.
My iSightUpdater.log file dates all the way back to when I updated my iSight's firmware to 1.0.2 and 1.0.3. For comparison, here are the Console messages for those updates:
2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: iSight Updater will install firmware version: 1.0.2
2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: DEVICE DISCOVERED:
2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: Product: iSight
2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: Vendor: Apple Computer, Inc.
*2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: Serial Number: W93254B3MZL*
2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: GUID: a270004001b2a
*2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: Firmware Version: 1.0*
2004-02-20 01:29:58 -0800: iSight device count: 1
2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: UPDATING DEVICE:
2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: Product: iSight
2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: Vendor: Apple Computer, Inc.
*2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: Serial Number: W93254B3MZL*
2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: GUID: a270004001b2a
*2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: Firmware Version: 1.0*
2004-02-20 01:30:06 -0800: Initiating software installation...
2004-02-20 01:30:11 -0800: Software installation terminating with error 00000000.
2004-02-20 01:30:11 -0800: Flashing firmware onto iSight...
2004-02-20 01:30:34 -0800: Flashing iSight terminating with error 00000000.
2004-02-20 01:30:35 -0800: UI: The iSight software cannot be installed while the iSight is in use by another application. Close any application using the iSight and try again.
2004-02-20 01:30:46 -0800: iSight Updater quitting...
2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: iSight Updater will install firmware version: 1.0.3
2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: DEVICE DISCOVERED:
2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: Product: iSight
2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: Vendor: Apple Computer, Inc.
*2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: Serial Number: W93254B3MZL*
2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: GUID: a270004001b2a
*2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: Firmware Version: 1.0.2*
2005-04-15 00:51:03 -0700: iSight device count: 1
2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: UPDATING DEVICE:
2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: Product: iSight
2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: Vendor: Apple Computer, Inc.
*2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: Serial Number: W93254B3MZL*
2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: GUID: a270004001b2a
*2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: Firmware Version: 1.0.2*
2005-04-15 00:51:11 -0700: Initiating software installation...
2005-04-15 00:51:27 -0700: Software installation terminating with error 00000000.
2005-04-15 00:51:27 -0700: Flashing firmware onto iSight...
2005-04-15 00:51:56 -0700: Flashing iSight terminating with error 00000000.
2005-04-15 00:52:56 -0700: iSight Updater quitting...
Aha! The Serial Number and Firmware Version were present in both of those updates, and I didn't need a firmware update after all. It seems that somewhere between the last firmware update and now, the iSight forgot its Serial Number and Firmware Version numbers -- or the last firmware update inadvertently flashed those two pieces of information from the iSight's memory.
I think if I could plant those two numbers back in the iSight's memory, I think I could get it working again. Problem is, Apple doesn't support scheduling repairs or Express Lane callbacks for the external iSight. Sooo... I, and all other external iSight owners with this problem, are stuck.
I'd love to get this repaired and use my external iSight with my Mac Mini G4. I just wish there was a next step, now that I have potentially identified the problem. Any ideas out there? I don't want to pay $150 to receive a reconditioned iSight for what appears to be a much simpler software/firmware fix. I do live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so driving to Cupertino and handing off an iSight for a quick repair by an iSight engineer would be an easy solution for me.
Thanks for listening, and I hope that this post sheds some light on other people with persistent "Your camera is in use by another application" error messages.
Message was edited by: A-Jay85
EDIT: Here is another post that appears to be similar to my problem:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12263773

Hi,
I am not going to override EZ Jim's advice on this as I do not know any way of recovering the lost Serial Number of Firmware version the devices is currently at.
Mostly it is for other readers but may provide clues.
The iSight Updater for Firmware 1.0.3 is included in the OS files as a Standalone Updater in Leopard
It seems it is also activated if the camera is Plugged In when Software Update is run. (I don't have enough info if it is specific 10.5.x Updates or just a General thing that happens.)
It is also present in the same place in 10.4.11 (I do not have copies earlier that this of Tiger that I can check)
In Use By Another Application.
It could actually be so.
Check:-
Comic Book if bundled with your Mac.
System Preferences > Accounts > Changing the Account Pic can invoke the camera for A Snapshot.
Any other app that can capture Video or a Pic. (iMovie, Quicktime Pro in Leopard and below, PhotoBooth. Don't forget Image Capture or your Browser if using Flash Chat sites or using the Google Broswer Plug-in installed in Chrome or as a Standalone (Intel only) and many others)
Check that in System Preferences > Accounts > Login Items does not list any app that can use the camera.
It seems that if an App that uses the camera (and was using it at the time) "Unexpectedly Quits" the System in general will think the camera is still in use (Possibly because that app's .plist will say it is)
The most common fix for this if you cannot find which App is using the camera is to do a SMC/PMU restart. (this link has three expandable areas that look like Links near the bottom of the page for various Macs).
Most Times the System will catch which apps have "Crashed"/Unexpectedly Quit and they are recorded in a Log. Open Console in Application/Utilities and then the Reveal Triangles to see ~/Library/Logs/Crash Reporter and see if any app is listed.
SEEK ADVICE on deleting .plists if you think you have identified the culprit, as doing so for some apps is more destructive than others.
Summary so far.
The Genius could have done it with a Tiger Install or Leopard Install Disk.
If you have a Retail Copy to do your Updates or either you can invoke the Update yourself (Providing you can get System Profiler to "See" the camera correctly)
A SMC/PMU reset maybe enough to "Clear" the System of what Apps it thinks is using the Camera.
There are some unexpected places and apps that can cause or actually use the camera.
A Fresh Install, as seems to be the case here, would have created a new set of .plists anyway.
I would also suggest that any other Firewire device is removed.
The External iSight should not be Daisy Chained with other items such as External Hard Drives as they run at different Data rates.
If you have a Computer with tow of more Firewire Ports I would suggest trying another port.
Some Towers have Firewire ports front and back and these have separate Firewire Controllers. This may isolate whether it is a Firewire port issue.
USB and Firewire Ports can be reset if the Power is removed from the computer for 15 Mins (power removed if a Laptop as the Firewire ports can still be active if the power cable is still connected)
I will state again that in this case I think EZ Jim has the right, quickest and simplest answer.
I have posted this mainly for other readers that may have something similar but not quite the same.
10:40 PM Sunday; December 19, 2010

External iSight and 10.5.x crashes

I am reposting this problem b/c Apple felt the need to remove my last post for "unspecified" reasons.
In any case, my external iSight camera crashes OS X when it is plugged in or unplugged. The finder will restart or the system will logout and return to the login screen. Occasionally the whole system will halt and a hard reboot will be necessary. When the camera does "work" the picture is much worse than it was when I was using 10.4.x and before. I have removed preferences, uninstalled plugins, and reset PRAM, etc. Nothing seems to work to get the external iSight to work as it did. If I plug it into my old Powerbook, it works just as well as it always did (PB is running 10.4.x). Has anyone else had this problem or know of a solution?

Welcome to Discussions, NetWhiz
Your symptoms might be caused by a problem with your external iSight, Firewire cable, or your Mac's Firewire circuitry or ports. Alternatively, the problem could be related to some conflict with some of your third party hardware or software.
You can use the suggestions in http://www.ralphjohnsuk.dsl.pipex.com/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html to try identify the problem component. If the problem is user correctable, the remedy is likely in that page or its links.
Jim

External Isight wont plug into my mini mac 2010

I have an external isight and a Mac OS X 10.6.7 (Mini Mac) but the firewire that goes with the Isight doesn't fit into the firewire port on the Mini Mac. Is there some type of adapter I can buy, and if so, will the external Isight work with my mini mac. I spent the entire day trying to figure out a webcam/audio system to go with my mini mac, and come to fine out we had an old external Isight hidden in the closet.
Thank you.

Well, I just learned the word firewire today by googling it and looking at a picture. This one is from 2004, and I just read the box, and it is for sure a firewire. UGH..
Ok, I will find an adaptor for FW800 to FW400 ports.
Thank you!

External iSight Dead?

My external iSight camera shuts itself off within 30 seconds of firewire plug-in. The green light goes out as a faint chirp sound is heard. I have tried it on numerous Macs and software apps.
Any suggestions? I can handle small repairs short of board soldering, and even some simple one of those.
Thanks,
Jeff

Hello Jeff (Zinny)
By themselves, neither the sound you (and I) hear nor the fact that your light goes out (like mine does) are cause for concern.
Use the suggestions in http://www.ralphjohnsuk.dsl.pipex.com/EZJim/EZJimpage4.htmlHow to test your (external) iSight to ensure it is functional. Fixes for the problems that users can correct are covered there.
There are NO user serviceable items inside iSight. If your external iSight works with NO application that uses iSight in ANY user account on ANY Mac, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
If your local Apple Service Technician has difficulty finding needed parts, you or he can contact http://www.synaptech.com. They have told me that they will help users obtain any parts that are still available.
If you do not have local access to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, you can use the info from Apple's iSight Service: Frequently Asked Questions. That page contains the link to Apple's on-line "iSight service request form".
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 quit working after upgrade.

My external iSight camera quite working after OS upgrade. It appears the Firewire port is dead. Camera doesn't turn on, no green light. The camera is not recognized by any software.

Restart your Mac and troubleshoot using http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 suggestions.
Be sure to test more than one Apple app in more than one user account. Do NOT use the "Guest" account for this test. If you do not have more than one user account for the testing, create a new one now. (A "Standard" account is all you need for testing.)
If your trouble persists, when you post back here tell us:
   (1) what version of OS X you use.
        (You can find this with your Mac's  > About This Mac menu command.)
   (2) Whether the "upgrade" you mean was an OS X upgrade, an iOS upgrade, or both,
   (3) whether your external iSight works with Apple apps like Photo Booth, iMovie, etc.
        If not, confirm that the symptoms are EXACTLY the same in every user account.
We will offer more specific suggestions based on the details you provide in your response.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.2

Isight microphone with garageband

Hi I am new to this forum and this is my fist post.
i cannot seem to use my external isight mic with garageband. i have set in system prefs but when I try to select it in garageband,its greyed out and says not 44.1.
any idea's please
20" imac G5 PPC Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1G DDR external isight

Hi
This says iSight will not work http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1460117&#1460117
But i have version 3.0.4 and my exturnal iSight works withGB.
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

External ISight Firewire with Onlocation

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