Help! iSight Not Working with iMovie!

I can't seem to use my iSight camera with iMovie. ?? The camera works with PhotoBooth, but with iMovie not even the "Record with iSight" button appears. I'm using iMovie 5 on an IMac G5 with a built-in iSight camera. Any suggestions on getting iSight to record to iMovie??

You're welcome, -John
If you are following the directions in this Apple article
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh2329.html,
your iSight should be working.
If you have added any hardware or software since iMovie worked correctly for you, first rule out any Possible conflicts with your iSight.
If your problem is ONLY with iMovie, try this:
• Quit iMovie if it is open.
• Delete your iMovie preferences file:
Finder > Go > Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.iMovie.plist
• If they exist, also delete any other "com.apple.iMovie" files that end in ".plist" in this folder, or example, "com.apple.iMovie2.plist" and / or "com.apple.iMovie3.plist".
• Close those folders and launch iMovie again to check for proper functioning.
• When you get iMovie working again after tossing your old .plist files, you will need to reset all preferences that you want to be different from the default values.
If you cannot make your iSight does not work in any app or in any User Account, you will need the help of an Apple Service Provider Technician to repair your iSight.
If only iMovie gives you trouble, even after dumping the iMovie preferences, I suggest you reinstall the iMovie application.
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

Similar Messages

ISight not working with Webex, GoToMeeting or Lync...BUT works with Skype, Facetime, Photobooth (June 2013 MBA)

Brand new MacBook Air (June 2013, 8MB RAM, 500GB SSD)
iSight not working with Cisco Webex, Citrix GoToMeeting or Microsoft Lync (error = webcam not detected); BUT iSight works with Skype, Facetime and Photobooth.
3 hours of phone support with Webex - no luck.
Tried SMC and PRAM reset - no luck.
Tried erasing disk and reinstalling OSX 10.8.4 and apps manually with latest versions - no luck.
Apple phone support says it's not Apple's problem because Apple apps work.
Exchanged at Apple Store for another new MacBook Air, again installed apps manually with latest version (not from time machine) - STILL NO LUCK!!!
Is there an update Apple or Cisco, Citrix and Microsoft need to put out for the new MBAs or do I just have 2 lemons???

You're welcome.
1wave wrote: ... an external webcam which might be a cheaper alternative ...
It will be interesting to see what the vendors say about using a Mac-compatible external webcam.
If not, some netbook or other Windows® device might offer compatibility at a much lower cost than a compatible Apple notebook.
We will watch for your update(s). What the vendors tell you will be very helpful to others who share this or similar issues with their new MBAs.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.4

Integral iSight not compatible with iMovie

Just found this article in the Apple Knowledge Base. It says that the integral iSight in the new iMac G5 will not work with iMovie. So much for having a $150 iSight camera built into your iMac as it is an iSight in name only, not functionality.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302749

You can capture from the built-in iSight under the following conditions:
1. Plug-in a separate FW deck/cam, and power it up such that it's output is recognized and displayed in iMovie.
2. Power-off the deck/cam, or just unplug it.
Very shortly thereafter, iMovie should display the output from the built-in iSight, and iSight's green activity light should come on.
I found this out just today - quite by chance. Be a little careful, it's a temporary session. As soon as you go to your clips or timeline, the built-in iSight link is gone, until you repeat steps 1 and 2 above again.

Isight not working with skype and tokbox after snow leopard upgrade

Recently, I upgraded from Tiger to Snow Leopard. After the upgrade, I found that my built-in iSight camera wasn't recognized on TokBox. On Skype, it said that the iSight camera was in use by another application (however no other applications were running). The iSight is working with iChat, so I don't know what is wrong... everything was fine when I was using Tiger!

hellokitty650 wrote:
Okay, so I restarted my computer and that didn't work.
Then, I went through the suggestions from the link you posted. I found that the iSight works in iChat and Photobooth; however, it does not work in iMovie HD (exactly the same in both user accounts on my computer). Just like before, the iSight is "in use by another application" in Skype on both user accounts.
I reset the SMC, but it didn't seem to help anything. Everything was acting the same as before I reset it.
I also noticed that my iTunes and my iMovie won't open; they both quit unexpectedly every time I try to open them. This happens in both user accounts as well.
Okay, so it will be simplest to work your issues in steps. We will start with iMovie.
Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions. Then reinstall iMovie HD 6. Repair permissions again after the installer finishes.
If the version of iMovie HD 6 in your iLife '06 DVD is not "6.0.3", download and install the update:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL319
If you need to do this update, repair permissions again after the update is finished.
Test the reinstalled iMovie HD 6 to see if it works in more than one user account and post back the results.
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

ISight not working with Apple apps but only with Skype and flash....

Hi guys, don't know why but suddenly my isight stopped working with every apple application, like ichat, imovie and photoboot, but it still works with skype and safari (flash).
The camera simply doesn't work, the green led stays off.... I tried resetting PRAM, SMC, deleted .plist files, tried new account and everything...
Maybe the problem is facetime, I uninstalled it by simply dragging it to the trashcan, so I followed a thread here and manually deleted its last files but no luck....
Please guys help me, I really hope I don't have to FORMAT my mac... sounds so windows to me XD...

V4N0 wrote:
...Well the camera is seen in system profiler and it works perfectly with skype, I'll try a couple of things then... well reset is inevitable....
Thanks for the "helpful" star, V4N0!
(1) Your initial post shows you using Mac OS X (10.6.6),
but your latest post shows Mac OS X (10.6.5).
Have you "downdated" to 10.6.5?
(2) iSight works with iMovie, Photo Booth, QuickTime, and other apps like Address Book,
etc. You need not try every possible app, but please tell us which you have tested,
and which, if any, work with your iSight.
(3) Have you tested iSight operation in more than one user account?
Are the symptoms EXACTLY the same in any user account you test?
(4) If your only problem is with ALL apps in ALL user accounts, try applying the
Combo Update using the method suggested in this recent post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12859723&#12859723
If you want the latest Mac OS instead of 10.6.5, download the 10.6.6 Combo Update:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1349
instead of the 10.6.5 Combo (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1324) link in the post.
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

External isight not working with Macbook Pro early 2008

My external isight is not working with my Macbook Pro early 2008 (2.4 GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, 6 GB RAM, OSX Lion). It goes warm when plugged into the firewire port but is not recognized in system prefs (lists as "unknown device" and also does not turn on (green light. I tried resetting PRAM and all the other stuff as suggested here but no luck. It used to work fine on a 1st generation Macbook and I remember that one of the first times I tried it with this machine here it turned on for a few secs (green light) but then it just simply stopped.
Unfortunately, I have no other firewire device to check the port.
Any ideas, dear community?

Our (old) external Firewire iSights can be sensitive to dust, shock, vibration, humidity, and other environmental factors in storage. (I store my spare in its original plastic shipping case with a new desiccant pack on a solid shelf - never in a desk drawer or other container that moves.)
You have tried several good things and may be finding that your old iSight needs work.
Here are the alternatives I can offer. Consider any you have not tried in any order you like:
(1) You can try Apple's suggestions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
Test in more than one user account and with more than one Apple softwre application.
(2) My expanded suggestions here: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
(3) Reset Firewire ports using the info from this old archived Apple article: http://web.archive.org/web/20090331211534/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1317
(4) If you have no local Apple Authorized service Provider who can help you, other service options are here: http://www.apple.com/support/isight/service/
(5) Consider a new USB cam with current warranty such as one of these: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
Message was edited by: EZ Jim

ISight not Working with Messages/Facetime

I have a MacBook Pro 13 inch mid 2009 that I connect to a 22" cinema display (very old but still works beautifully) and I have an older cylindrical iSight camera mounted to the top of the cinema display (laptop is closed and cinema display is only monitor in use). It has always worked fine. I connect the iSight to a firewire hard drive and the hard drive to the fire wire port on the MacBook Pro. Today I am still able to get the isight to work in iMovie. So the camera works, the wiring works.
However, recently I haven't been able to get facetime or skype to recognize the iSight camera. Why is that? How can I facetime with my camera? I don't want to open up my laptop everytime my wife calls.
I have MacOS 10.10.2.

Skype seems to work with the iSight now but messages/facetime still does not. I get a message saying "another application is using your camera." No other application that uses the camera is open. I don't know why the first post appended that I have 10.9.4. I have 10.10.2.

Built in iSight not working with Google chat?

Hi all,
I recently updgraded to Mac OS X version 10.7.2 for my Intel based iMac. Since then, the built in iSight camera does not work with Google Chat. It does work with iChat and Photobooth though.
I reistalled the Google chat plug in (or I guess I installed it again). I ran a check, and my software updates are current. I tried the power down, unplug the power cord, wait 15 seconds routine, and that didn't work either.
When I go in to Mail Settings in gmail, click Chat, and then Verify your Settings, I don't see anything in the window next to it - just black.
Does anyone have any good ideas to help? Using google chat is just a lot more convenient for me than using iChat...
Thanks!

Hi,
For some time now the Google Web Browser Video Chat plug-in (Also and automatic part of Installing Chrome) has been an issue in relation to going to Video Chat sites that use the Flash Plug-in.
My Flash Plug-in in Lion is version 11.1 r102
I don't have the Google one so I could not tell you the latest from them.
I am not sure that Google are moving very fast, if at all on this matter.
It could be as soon as either Flash makes an update it ruins the progress Google have made.
The Notice that EZ Jim has linked you to has been up more than a year (about 1/2 the life time of Snow Leopard)
10:12 PM Tuesday; January 10, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Isight not working with ichat

I've ran into problems with my built-in isight camera not working with ichat. It says there hasn't been any information sent in the past 10 seconds and shuts down. It works fine on other programs like Yahoo Messenger and Skype though. Anyone know how to fix this?
Thanks

I asked What router/modem do you have make and model.
Not you OS.

Internal iSight not working in iMovie HD

Internal iSight works in Photobooth but not iMovie HD. I move the toggle over to the recorder icon and no drop down menu appears and "no camera attached" is displayed across the blue screen.
I have read a number of posts here and suggestions. So far:
-Repairing disk permissions has not helped
-iSight shows up on the USB tree in System Profiler
-I have added other user accounts and the problem occurs there too
-I have reset the SMC
Any assistance would be appreciated.

Welcome to Apple Discussions, BostonG5
Here are the next things you should try.
(1) Check your iMovie HD version. As explained in Using iSight with iMovie, iMovie HD 6 or later is needed with built-in iSight.
(2) If you are using iMovie HD 6, verify that you have tried every relevant suggestions from Apple's How to Troubleshoot iSight.
(3) Verify that you are clicking in the right place. The drop-down menu does not appear until you click on the small triangle in front of the camera iCon as shown in this picture:
(4) If iMovie is the ONLY app that is having this iSight problem, your iMovie preferences file may be corrupted. Quit all applications. Then throw away the iMovie Preferences file (com.apple.iMovie.plist) from your Home (user) / Library / Preferences folder.
A new preferences folder will be generated when you restart iMovie to test whether it works now, but you will need to reset any preference settings you want different from the default values.
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

Built-in iSight not working with Skype

Hi, I have an iMac Intel Core with Built-in iSight, and ever since I've upgraded to Snow Leopard OS, my Skype does not recognize my webcam- when I select the "Built-in iSight" option, it says it is in use by another applications, and when I select the "Built-in iSight (leopard)" option, it's just a green screen.
I've tried reinstalling, updating, and calling Apple. My friend uses Skype on Snow Leopard with a MacBook Pro 13'' and his works fine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Jonathan Borichef

jborichef wrote:
Hi, I have an iMac Intel Core with Built-in iSight, and ever since I've upgraded to Snow Leopard OS, my Skype does not recognize my webcam- when I select the "Built-in iSight" option, it says it is in use by another applications, and when I select the "Built-in iSight (leopard)" option, it's just a green screen.
I've tried reinstalling, updating, and calling Apple. My friend uses Skype on Snow Leopard with a MacBook Pro 13'' and his works fine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Jonathan Borichef
For any iSight trouble, start with Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
If your iSight problem occurs in more than one app and more than one user account, the reset suggested there often restores proper function of inbuilt iSight.
However, if after carefully following all the suggestions in the "How to Troubleshoot iSight" article, your built-in iSight still does not work, and if it does not show as a USB device in your Mac's System Profiler, yours is most likely a hardware problem. In that case, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
If Skype is your only problem app, you can get help for Skype specific questions here:
http://www.skype.com/help/guides/
Skype even has its own dedicated forum for help from Skype users: http://forum.skype.com/
For any Skype questions or problems, you will probably get faster and better help from the Skype users or Skype Tech Support. Search or post in the appropriate Skype Support area.
If you still cannot find what you need, check https://support.skype.com/search_first/
before contacting Tech Support: https://support.skype.com/support_selection
Of course we will be happy to try to help with Apple questions here in Discussions.
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.2) MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.2)
LED Cinema Display G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

ISight not working in iMovie only

Today I encountered an issue with my isight camera in imovie. Yesterday I was able to record with it just fine, but now when I click on the 'capture' button in the import window and then select an event location, the capture video screen freezes (though the cursor still works and iMovie still responds otherwise). The isight still works in Photo Booth. I've searched around but haven't been able to find this problem discussed previously. I restarted my computer and closed all other apps besides imovie. Any ideas?

F.Grimes wrote:
Uh, yeah that was my fault. I was looking in the HD folder (my 'home' folder has a different name and i overlooked it).
(1) All is well if the reason your home folder has a different name is as explained in this link:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8767.html
(2) If you are using FileVault, turn it off or see http://support.apple.com/kb/TA27532
(3) If you renamed your "home" folder (not a good thing in OS X), see this link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428
Anyway, I found the correct plist file and trashed it, but unfortunately the problem persists when I reopen iMovie. The isight import video window freezes when I click capture and I can't see what is recording even though the light is on. Is it looking like the reset is the next option?
(4) You can try the reset(s) any time you like. Unless your problem is solved otherwise, you should try all the relevant iSight Troubleshooting suggestions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
If your iSight does not operate correctly in more than one app and more than one user account, the reset suggested there often restores proper function of inbuilt iSight.
However, if after carefully following all the suggestions in the "How to Troubleshoot iSight" article, your built-in iSight still does not work, and if it does not show as a USB device in your Mac's System Profiler, yours is most likely a hardware problem. In that case, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
(5) Your posted System Info shows that you are still using Mac OS X (10.6.1). Unless you have already used the Mac OS X 10.6.3 Combo Update, and regardless of whether you perform the reset(s), you should consider updating your Mac OS using the folloowing method:
• Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions.
• Download and install the 10.6.3 Combo Update: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1017
• Repair permissions again immediately after the restart that completes the update.
Then test iMovie again.
Proper application of Combo Updates can sometimes correct a wide variety of problems, and it is so reliable that the Combo Update is now the ONLY way I update Mac OS X.
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

ISight Not Working with OS X

iSight is not detected and doesnt appear in the USB menue. Apple shop tells me that the OS must be reinstalled and they would need about a day to do so. Any ideas how I can make my MBA recognize its iSight (by the way .. the keyboard backlight doesnt work either)
<Edited by Moderator>

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Haunevriel
... how I can make my MBA recognize its iSight ...
If you haven't already done so, try all the relevant suggestions from Apple's How to Troubleshoot iSight. Then test your iSight again.
If your built-in iSight still fails with EVERY iSight application that you try in EVERY user account you test, and if your System Profiler still does not show your built-in iSight as a USB Device similar, but not necessarily identical, to the one in this picture:
follow Apple's final Troubleshooting suggestion and contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
The reset process suggested in the troubleshooting suggestions corrects the problem for many iNtel Mac users. If it does not fix yours, given that you are having problems with your iSight, keyboard backlight, and disk free space, reinstalling your OS as suggested by your "Apple shop" might help.
If you need help on the quickest way I know to reinstall, disregard the parts about Photo Booth and follow the reinstall suggestions I made in this post to user jonathanmichael.
You should be able to perform an “Archive and Install" (A&I) reinstall in a couple of hours. However, you may need to make some room on your SSD startup disk before you begin.
You should keep the "Previous Systems" folder that A&I creates for a week or two while you test to be sure you do not need any of the info stored there. If you have made the suggested backup before performing the A&I, and if your MBA is working well by the end of your test, you can throw away the Previous Systems" folder and regain the significant space that it occupies.
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

Built-in iSight not working with Facebook

So iSight seems to be working with all of the applications, including Photo Booth and iChat, but for some reason it's not working for recording videos on Facebook. When I try to record a video, it says "search for cameras again". I'm wondering why it's doing this. Someone please help! Thank you!

I am getting the same result as you, Sara.
Because this is not an Apple issue, I checked the related FaceBook FAQs:
http://www.facebook.com/help/search.php?hq=record+video&ref=hq
I found nothing there that helped me, but, if you have success, please share what you find.
However, in FaceBook's Video: Bugs and Known Problems, I found this that leads me to believe ours is a known issue:
I can’t record a video on Facebook with my webcam.
Some users are having trouble recording videos on the site and will see a "cannot connect to server" message. Sometimes users might be able record videos but not save them. These problems generally occur when posting a video on a friend’s Wall or sending a video in a message. You can report this issue here.
I suggest you use the "here" link to report the problem you are having. Hopefully, FaceBook can get it resolved quickly.
If you think it better, you might prefer to issue a bug report as explained with the following words on the same "Video: Bugs and Known Problems" page:
I'd like to submit a bug report.
Although we're unable to reply to every bug report at this time, we may contact you for more details about the issue as we investigate the report. Thank you for taking the time to improve the site.
Please submit bug reports only here.
Cheers,
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.8) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

Isight not working with Skype

Hi, hope that some kind sole can point me in the right direction.
Installed Skype and isight camera worked perfectly. Then today camera will not work. I have not changed any preferences or done anything different, it just does not recognize Skype.
It appears to have been hijacked by another application.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Welcome to Apple Discussions, dgillham
If your only problem is with the camera, try the troubleshooting suggestions here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93240
If iSight works with other apps, your problem is with Skype. Try the comprehensive Skype Help section for assistance with your Skype-specific issues.
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

Help! iSight Not Working with iMovie!

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for