External iSight - Reversed Image

My external iSight produces a reversed image when switched on. Is there a solution or do I have to send my iSight in for service?
I have tested the iSight with different firewire cables on my new Mac Mini and my old iBook G4 and I get the same result - reversed image. I know I can flip any photos taken when using something like PhotoBooth or iPhoto, but it is the video that is important when I am using Skype.
Any help would be appreciated.
Peter Schofield

Hello
Thanks for the answer, but there still is a problem of mirror images.
When I take a photo using the iSight and PhotoBooth without autoflip turned off, then the photo taken is reversed. When autoflip is on there is no problem.
If I use the video record function in PhotoBooth then the movie recorded is reversed even no matter whether the setting of autoflip is on or off.
Regards
Peter Schofield

Similar Messages

External iSight on Windows Xp

i have windows xp with SP2 and all the updates from MSFT running via Bootcamp (Leopard version of it) on a mac mini core 2 duo.
although i did install all the drivers created by boorcamp, it appears that all components were installed except my external iSight.
i have a friend @ work that has windows install via bootcamp on a MBP core duo with
internal iSight and he is able to use iSight in the windows environment; i.e. Yahoo
or msn messenger and other apps.
i'm wondering if there's a way to make the iSight work on my computer

Now for the "non-Apple" possibilities, wayland.ind
People have been trying, with limited success, to use external iSight with Windows XP on their PC for years.
While USB webcams are the "normal" Windows cameras, apparently Firewire iSight can be detected by Windows. However, according to the links below, the external iSight's mic will not work so you must also connect a different mic with available drivers if you want voice. Moreover, one of the links report that external iSight's image is severely exposure so you must use use additional software to control the camera. (If you are an experienced Windows user, you may be able to modify the driver parameters yourself.)
While I do not use Windows and have never used my external iSight in Windows, the following links may give you some ideas you can try:
• http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2644983#2644983
• http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/527971.html
• http://blog.gkaindl.com/2007/10/11/using-an-external-isight-
on-a-windows-notebook/
If you get things working, please post back your "recipe" for success to help others that may be interested.
Cheers,
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.1) 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

Built-in iSight vs External iSight

Hello.
I have a late 2008 MacBook Pro with the built-in iSight camera. But also recently found an external iSight camera at an auction website that I might want to buy. How do the quality of the cameras compare?
Also with two cameras attached, am I able to switch between the two while using quick capture in iMovie 09 without stopping the recording?

eightsecond wrote:
... recently found an external iSight camera at an auction website that I might want to buy.
I suggest that you *test any external iSight before you buy*, even if you get a warranty or performance guarantee from a retailer that you know and trust.
Some users who have recently bought used external iSights have posted about their difficulty in the iSight Forum. Here is one example if you do not want to search for yourself:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9015271
External iSight is a great camera, but they are getting old as electronics go, and you have no idea how the one you buy now has been used or treated by its previous owner(s).
I suggest that you buy locally and test any external iSight you are considering on your Mac before you pay for it. That way you know whether it will work, and a local seller may be able to answer questions, if any, about connecting and using iSight before you buy. If you need help with how to make sure an external iSight works, see "How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional."
Even if the external iSight you are considering is advertised as NIB (new, in box) or NOS (new, old-stock), it may not be covered by Apple Warranty. If the seller is not providing you service guarantees or warranty, you may be want to check Apple's iSight Service: Frequently Asked Questions, especially if you cannot test the iSight before you buy to be sure it is working.
Moreover, if you buy an external iSight now, verify whether all connectors, cables, and iSight mounts that you need are included. If some items you need are missing but you still want to buy the iSight, this info may be of interest. (Note that Apple no longer offers the "iSight Accessory Kit, Part Number: M9314G/B" that is mentioned there.)
If you or your Apple Service Technician need but cannot locate something from the discontinued Kit or something from the list in the iSight Service: Frequently Asked Questions page, http://www.synaptech.com can help obtain parts that are still available.
If you consider buying an external iSight sight-unseen from eBay or other internet seller, I strongly suggest that you (try to) get a written guarantee that you can have the iSight examined by your Apple Authorized Service Provider and can have a refund or exchange if the iSight doesn't pass his condition verification.
If you are willing to consider alternatives to a used external iSight, you may find this user tip of interest: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2018211
How do the quality of the cameras compare?
Quality is subjective. You should judge it for yourself by testing.
Here is one comparison example I did some time back. The one on the left is with a built-in iSight, but the current iSights may perform differently.
As is normal for different digital cameras, images comparing two cameras are very different. Which you like better will likely depend on personal taste and may vary with subject matter and lighting conditions. To remove as many variables as possible, I made the following comparison image showing the same subject in the same location during the same video chat using the two different cameras (internal vs external iSight) on same iNtel iMac Core Duo. You can see some of the differences in color balance, sharpening, and contrast settings used by the two cameras. Click the image below if you want a larger picture:
One other possible difference is resolution. All external iSights are 640x480 (Ø.3MP) cameras. I think that all the 2008 MBPs are 1,280x1,024 resolution (1.3MP). To be certain, you can test your MBP's iSight's resolution with QuickTime Pro if you have it. If you don't have QT Pro, use the test explained in this page.
However, depending on which software you use, this resolution difference may not have any practical importance for you. Not all apps can use the higher resolution of the 1.3MP built-in iSights, so there's no need to trade Macs or cameras purely on account of which built-in iSight you have (unless you have a definite need increased resolution.)
Testing is the only real way to determine how images from a particular iSight will look on a particular display when driven by a particular software application. With those tests, each individual can decide whether the image quality is sufficient for his particular need. If higher quality is needed, a good camcorder or digital still camera will give better results than any webcam.
Also with two cameras attached, am I able to switch between the two while using quick capture in iMovie 09 without stopping the recording?
Probably not.
Capturing, converting, processing, and writing video to disk imposes a significant load on your Mac. The exact extent of this load may vary depending on a wide variety of factors including which app(s) you use, the configuration (example: how much RAM is available) of your Mac, which apps are running, how much disk space is available, and possibly even the lighting and complexity of the subject of your recording.
Moreover, although iMovie '09 (iMovie v8.x) can continue to record while a different app is active, not all apps can. For instance, Photo Booth immediately stops recording unless its recording is the currently active window.
Even if you have two apps that each can record in background, trying to process two video streams simultaneously may be beyond your Mac's capability. The only way to know for certain is to test.
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.7) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

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"

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

Want to try and communicate via skype using external isight, but ichat kicks in everytime i plug in. any advice welcome

Hi, i am trying to set up with Skype using an external isight camera, but everytime i plug in Ichat keeps kicking in. Tried it on my os 10.4, 10.5.5 and 10.5.8 .. 10.5.5 Skype seems to not want to work at all, but the other 2, the problem seems to be with ichat bursting in whenever the camera is plugged in. thanks in advance for any help.

Hi,
In older versions of iChat there is a setting in iChat > Preferences > Video that enables the App to Start when an External camera is plugged in.
This can be unticked to stop this action launching the app.
As for Skype not working in some OS versions you may have to pay attention to the version of Skype that can be used.
I don't use Skype and have not kept abreast of the changes and how they might apply to the different versions of the OS.
8:43 pm Friday; September 20, 2013
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

External iSight on a Dell XP

as the wikipedia page reports, my dell xp box recognizes an isight as a "1394 desktop video camera", but the image is really grainy.
i tried the drivers at this link, but it didn't help:
http://www.ehow.com/how6283655install-isight-driver-windows-xp.html
is there a way to improve the video quality on real PC? (ie, not a mac running parallels).
thanks.

ben arthur wrote:
as the wikipedia page reports, my dell xp box recognizes an isight as a "1394 desktop video camera", but the image is really grainy.
i tried the drivers at this link, but it didn't help:
http://www.ehow.com/how6283655install-isight-driver-windows-xp.html
is there a way to improve the video quality on real PC? (ie, not a mac running parallels).
thanks.
You probably have the best quality your PC can get with an iSight.
My old article about using iSight with PC still (mostly, anyway) applies:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage12.html
Although smart users can force an external iSight to work with Windows®, a new cam compatible with your system and the software you will use with it will almost certainly give a better user experience.
EZ Jim
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.6); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.6)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

Photo Booth ignores external iSight

Hello people
Ever since my upgrade to Leopard, Photo Booth no longer uses my external firewire iSight camera.
Previously, Photo Booth would use the external iSight camera, when the built-in was unavailable because the notebook lid was closed. Now it just says the camera is off.
Both iMovie and iChat AV will happily use the external iSight camera. If I try to use a Video Input in a Quartz Composition, the external iSight is ignored just as it is in Photo Booth.
Any ideas on how to fix this?
Best regards,
Anders Borum

two things to try:
(1) With Photo Booth (v2) running, unplug your external iSight, wait about 5 seconds, and reconnect.
(2) If you still do not see the camera view, turn external iSight off (rotate the front of the lens barrel), wait about 5 seconds, and turn iSight on again.
Although I am not using an iNtel Mac, the first one got me a dark image, and the second one got my external iSight working correctly.
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'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 vs. internal

How different exactly are the built in isight on a macbook and the external isight sold by apple a while back? i have both because i needed a camera for my stopmotions. Like resolution, color. Also, how does the external hold up to todays standards?

Hello Snipereye64
Such a well stated and brief question that requires a big answer!
Technically, I suppose the answer to your question depends on which built-in iSight is in your MacBook.
Early MacBooks had a 640x480 (VGA) resolution USB iSight that is the same resolution as the external (Firewire) iSight is use. Given normal webcam distance from the lens and adequate light (video takes more light that normal room lighting), I think the image quality of that built-in iSight is approximately equal to, but different from, my external iSight's.
External iSight has auto-focus so it can offer better images at widely different distances to the subject. It is also easier to attach filters and accessory lenses, but this difference is not really an image quality difference.
If your only use for iSight is video chat, your image quality question can best be answered by your video chat partner, who is the one who sees the image your iSight sends. Here is a comparison video test I made some time back with a chat partner who has both internal and external iSights.
My chat buddy changed NOTHING between the two pictures except which iSight he was using. I do not see any significant difference in actual image quality between the two. I do see differences in the amount of software image sharpening, contrast, and color balance. These parameters are software-controlled, so different apps might give different results.
If you want to compare the quality of snapshot still images for email or posting on the web, the best way to critically examine image quality is to make a print of the same subject made with both cameras. I have not done this kind of test using my iSight because, although I occasionally make an iSight snapshot to email, I almost always use my 5 and 10MP digital still cameras for images I want to have enough quality to print or post. No webcam offers sufficient image quality for me for prints beyond about 3x4 inches.
You can do your own comparison and judge for yourself with your iSights. Capture an image of your face with both of your iSights. It is best if you do this as near as possible to the same time, same size, and in the same light. Then print both images and look for image quality differences that are important to you Even though you may not use your iSights to make printed images, the prints will more readily reveal any faults in the test images you make.
Current iNtel Macs (other than MacBook Air) that I have checked have a 1280x1024 resolution. This 1.3MP camera has more than 4.25 times as many pixels as the 0.3MP (640x480) cameras. How this additonal resolution is used depends on the software application that is running the camera. When using iChat, I do not notice the resolution difference, but a printed image or one an image made with some other application might give a different answer. iChat's software image sharpening, contrast, and color balance of the 1.3MP iSights seem to be about the same as they were for the earlier built-ins.
Depending on your intended use for your images, you can use "The Test App" from this article to test which built-in iSight you have. However, the best test will likely be how the images made with the software you use looks to you for the purposes you intend.
My old "Rev A" external iSight still works as well as it did new for video chat and an occasional quick video clip for emailing. It is good enough for me.
Please let me know if I missed anything. ;-)
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

Where can I get an external iSight repaired?

Does anyone know who can repair an older external iSight camera? I have 2 that are not working. Suspect it is from moisture on circuit board.

If you do not have Access to a Store or Authorised Service Centre then take a look at this page.
About two or three years ago when EZ Jim looked in to this it seemed that the cost of repair was more than the original cost of the External iSights.
Most USB Web cam replacements will need you to be running at least 10.4.9 for iChat to access the camera and have a USB 2.0 port on your Computer.
This is to take advantage of the UVC Driver (USB Video Class) included in the OS
USB 1.1 cameras are difficult to get hold of and would require Mac Drivers either from the manufacturer of the camera or a third party such as macam or IOXperts.
in addition to that you would also need this Utility for iChat.
The Fire-i Firewire Web cam seems to be still on Sale. (Most others seem to have been discontinued).
8:17 PM Monday; June 6, 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
Message was edited by: Ralph Johns (UK) (please note English (UK) spellings)

Help..... Need External iSight Insight

So my external isight was working last week, but this week i can't even get it to show as a firewire device in the system profiler. Tried all firewire ports on both my PMG5 and Cinema Display, tried a different firewire cable, repaired permissions, restarted, tried on guest acct.... all to no avail. Also, since it worked last, no system upgrades. The iSight is about 4 yrs old and hopefully hasn't reached its end. Anyways, should anyone here have any isight insight, it'd be appreciated. Next step is taking the long drive to the apple store. Thanks in advance for any help.

I will add my notes of caution to EZ Jim's advice.
UVC (USB Video Class) requires that the camera is plugged into a USB 2.0 port.
It is not until more recently that Apple USB ports on their Keyboards include USB 2.0 ports so you will have to use one on the computer.
Almost all Web Cams that are sold now are USB 2.0 and UVC.
The UVC driver in the Mac OS does not do all the features that the Windows one does so that things advertised on the Box like Face Tracking and Pan & Zoom may not be available to you.
Firewire Webcams have also become difficult to find.
Virtually all those shown in the last pic on this page http://homepage.mac.com/john_kenn/video.html are no longer available either.
(the page was written around the time of iChat 2)
Having said that I just found the Fire-i page again.
(The iRez became the iREZ KR 2 and is USB for Instance)
The iBot in that Pic is discontinued
UVC that I have tried.
X-Box 360 camera.
I own an Advent 3.1 Int ( a 3.1Mp camera with Interchangeable fronts) I installed a USB 2.0 card on my G4/1ghz Dual.
The place I bought it allowed me to test it on one of their Apple computers.
The nearest device they supply now is this
Their Current list
For readers using Intels.
DO NOT get a USB 1.1 camera
1) they Require Mac Drivers (although there are two third Party Suppilers of these it can be difficult). Those you do find are unlikely to work on 10.6.x (Snow Leopard)
2) Using a USB 1.1 camera even if you have Drivers requires an Add-on for iChat called iUSBCam
This does not work in Snow Leopard/iChat 5.x.x
The Utility was for enabling the External iSight on Macs below the G3/600mghz Spec and to allow USB (1.1) cameras to work (On iChat 2 upwards until 10.5.8/iChat 4.0.9)
Hope this helps.
Summary.
Firewire Web Cams may still be available
USB 2.0 UVC compliant is the best option price wise. (Does need an USB 2.0 port)
USB 1.1 requires a Mac Driver either from the manufacturer or a third Party (macam or IOXperts) AND the iUSBCam Utility (Power PC Mac Only really)
10:24 PM Tuesday; November 2, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Intergrated iSight Vs External iSight.

Hey Guys,
I was just wondering how well the iSight built-in to the new iMac's compares with the external iSight camera? Also can an external iSight camera be used with the newer iMac's which have a camera built in?
Thanks
*nathan

I'm pretty sure you can still use the external
iSight. However, the internal one has better picture
quality due to the fact that it uses real-time image
processing to improve the image color and contrast.
This process relies for the most part on the GPU. So
there isn't really a reason to use the external one,
since the internal one is better.
Sure there's a reason! A built-in microphone under the keyboard can never have the same sound quality as the isight's microphone. I've tried using Skype with the built-in mic and I can hardly be understood. If I plug in the external iSight, they can hear me just fine.

External iSight - Reversed Image

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