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"

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Help Needed with Isight

I have just got an Isight camera and want to chat to someone with only Windows, no Mac. How do I do it?? To use IChat they have to have an Apple right? I am completely baffled by all this!!!!

How do I do it??
Mac Video Chat with PCsTo use IChat they have to have an Apple right?Yes, to use iChat. There is NO PC version of iChat. However, they do not nave to have iChat or Apple to connect with iChat AV.
If you need help beyond this and beyond what is available in your Mac's iChat > Help, try this link for more about Using iSight.

Help needed - External mobile hard drive not recognized by my iMac

Hi, i received a Freecom Mobile Drive XXS 250 GB USB 2.0 today, after plugging it into my iMac, i am finding that nothing is showing up, and it isn't being recognized at all.
I've tried connecting it via all the USB ports, i have tried connecting it and disconnecting other cables (like speaker + printer cables) and it's not working. I'm not all that computer literate, but after scouring the internet for hours i understand the problem could be that my USB ports are 1.1 and a bus powered hard drive might not get the sufficient power from them?
I have looked at the system requirements for the hard drive and my iMac apparently has all the requirements this needs to work. I have checked Disc Utility and the external hard drive isn't even showing up there. I thought i might have had to re-format the drive, but i checked and it is already FAT-32 so should be ok?
Very puzzled, and am out of ideas on how to get this to work (need to transfer files quite urgently - want to upload some new software and don't want to risk losing the files on my internal hard drive, as my computer is getting about slow and unreliable also have the problem of my cd burner now being defunct for some reason, but thats unrelated to this hopefully)
Has anyone got any ideas on how i could get this to show up on my computer? Any info will be much appreciated!
Regards, coby x

Hey coby,
Well thanks for the star. Not sure I deserve it.
i then tried connecting the drive to each USB port again, and voila! i have found one it works in. I guess my computer's ports must be a little worn.
Hmm well try looking inside and see if there's some smutz in there, if the contacts are dirty or bent or worn.
i was starting to think i would have to go out and get a USB hub to give it some more power.
Is it powered off the USB? If so that actually might be a good idea since that puts a lot of strain on the connectors. Even if it's self powered it might be a good idea since it would take the strain off an obviously flakey USB.
richard

RE: I need drivers for an external isight camera on windows 7 64-bit

IRT http://discussions.info.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11515278#11515278
Are the drivers from boot camp only for the internal isight camera or should the drivers work with the external firewire camera?
I installed the drivers without a problem on Windows 7 64-bit. However, windows 7 didn't recognize the drivers (either automatically or when manually found). The installer placed them in C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\
Of note, the camera does work. Using skype, the camera's LED lit up. However, the generic driver wouldn't allow the camera to "talk" with windows. The aperture opened to the max setting and "whited out" the video. Thanks!!

witkewoo wrote:
IRT http://discussions.info.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11515278#11515278
Are the drivers from boot camp only for the internal isight camera or should the drivers work with the external firewire camera?
I installed the drivers without a problem on Windows 7 64-bit. However, windows 7 didn't recognize the drivers (either automatically or when manually found). The installer placed them in C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\
Of note, the camera does work. Using skype, the camera's LED lit up. However, the generic driver wouldn't allow the camera to "talk" with windows. The aperture opened to the max setting and "whited out" the video. Thanks!!
(1) External iSight is, as you recognize, a Firewire webcam. It has its own built-in microphone.
Built-in iSight is a USB camera. It has no mic of its own.
Windows® video drivers for both iSights are included. However, as explained in the following link, there are no Windows® audio drivers for external (Firewire) iSight’s internal microphones:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISight#iSightonWindows
(2) If you can track your problems to your Boot Camp or Windows installation, see FAQs and troubleshooting here:
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/
As reported by user mikkel_nielsen here:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11953256#11953256
you may merely need to update and reinstall the drivers.
I do not use Windows®, but if you get no better help here, the best I have to offer is:
Check iSight with OS X apps and user accounts: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
If all works there, consider Boot Camp/Win7 FAQ & links: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3986
Also Boot Camp 3.0, Mac OS X 10.6 FAQ & links: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3777
If all else fails, this search in Boot Camp might give you some ideas or an idea for a new topic there:
http://tinyurl.com/39lu9fn
Message was edited by: 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

Help needed. I have a 3TB external hard drive partitioned into 1TB's. I used one partition as backup for the main computer hard drive. But now it is greyed out as shown in the disk utility and its name changed, i dont know how that happened, i tried verif

Help needed. I have a 3TB external hard drive partitioned into 1TB's. I used one partition as backup for the main computer hard drive. But now it is greyed out as shown in the disk utility and its name changed, i dont know how that happened, i tried verifying and repairing it but had no luck. I also tried mounting and unmounting it but still no solution. Anyone to help please?

Looks bad. I would strongly advise backing up the stuff on the other two partitions as soon as possible in case the rest of the drive goes wrong.
Beyond that, Disk Utility has limited abilities to repair disks, DiskWarrior uses a different approach and might, emphasis might be more successful. It has certainly done the job for me in the past when Disk Utility could not.
See http://www.alsoft.com/diskwarrior/

What cable do i need to use to connect my grandson's old style external isight webcam to his 2014 Mac mini in order for him to be able to FaceTime me

what cable do i need to use to connect my grandson's old style external isight webcam to his 2014 Mac mini in order for him to be able to FaceTime me

You need either a FireWire 800 to FW 400 cable or a FR 800 (male)/FW(female) adopter.
However. it the Mini (note that you still have the late 2012 Mini, Apple has not updated the Mini since then) has Mavericks it may not work satisfactorily. I tried it on my 2102 and I get abount 1 frame every 20 seconds. Another uses posted same problem.
However, it it work fine on my late 2009 Mini with Mavericks

Imagent.app is trying to connect to an external website. Help needed!

Hi there. I recently downloaded Little Snitch to gauge my current outgoing network traffic. When I booted up my Macbook Pro, the program told me that "imagent" was attempting to connect to a news page that I had left open on my browser. I believe this has to do with facetime, yet i wasnt using it. Could you help me in deciphering the meaning of this? Thank y'all for your help

Aquabolt wrote:
Hi there. I recently downloaded Little Snitch to gauge my current outgoing network traffic. When I booted up my Macbook Pro, the program told me that "imagent" was attempting to connect to a news page that I had left open on my browser. I believe this has to do with facetime, yet i wasnt using it. Could you help me in deciphering the meaning of this? Thank y'all for your help
As you probably know, you can get FaceTime invitations even if you have quit FaceTime. That feature is provided by "imagent".
Unless you have configured the FaceTime > Preferences... > FaceTime setting to "OFF", you are still using "imagent" (and a couple of other support processes) even if you have "Quit" Facetime.
Once you set the preference to "OFF", imagent will go away, but you will not be able to receive any incoming FaceTime invitations until it is turned ON again.
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 microphone not working with Mac Pro

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

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

External iSight no longer recognized, built-in iSight works - how to fix?

I have a new MacBook Pro with Leopard and both the built-in iSight and my external iSight were recognized and I could switch between them. This past week or so my external iSight became no longer recognized even after unplugging and re-plugging in. When I plug it into the Firewire port, the green light goes on and it makes a whirring sound, but my computer does not recognize it in iChat, in PhotoBooth, nor in iMovie. I repaired permissions and it still doesn't get recognized in any applications. Is there a setting someplace that needs resetting? Or do I need to bring it into the Apple store for technical help?
Richard

Hello Richard
I wonder how many others have this problem?
A search or look through iSight Discussions will show you that a few of the many users of external iSight have reported problems using their Firewire iSights with MacBook Pro. I will leave it to you to try to determine whether that might be because few external iSight users have problems, few have MacBook Pros, or few use their external iSights with their MacBook Pros.
I agree that the system should allow both to co-exist.
Any other suggestions before I go to the Apple Genius folks?
If you have already considered all the suggestions about cables, connections, Firewire ports, possible conflicts, and the relevant suggestions in Apple's How to Troubleshoot iSight without success, you can also try the following:
• Backup your Home Folder, or at very least, your important files.
• Repair permissions. (Click here if you need help.)
• Then download and apply the Mac OS X 10.5.2 Combo Update.
• Finish with another Permissions Repair, and then check your iSight again.
Users have reported fixes to a variety of audio, video, connectivity, and software conflicts and unreliability issues after properly applying Combo Updates.
Please let us know how it goes.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.2) External iSight.

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

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

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

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 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

External iSight not working on iMac, works on Macbook despite same software

Hello!
I have an External iSight that when I plug into my Macbook (running latest Mac OS) works just fine with iChat AND Adobe Flash Webchats...
However, when I plug it into my new iMac, the green light will turn on, but the it doesn't show on ANY applications that there is an External iSight available.
The only difference is that I am connecting the iSight with an 4 to 8 pin adapter: When I plug it in, it acts the same as it does with the MacBook--the green light turns on, it makes a sound, and is ready for usage. However, I can't get it to work with any programs on my iMac.
My PRIMARY concern, is I need it to work with Adobe Flash Webchats. Help!

Hello, macboyme
Consider the following in any order you find relevant for your system:
(0) You write that you are using a 4pin to 8pin adapter. However, I think you mean 6pin to 9pin adapter.
External iSight is a Firewire device that uses a 6pin Firewire 400 connector.
Newer Macs have only 9pin Firewire 800 connectors, so it is common to use 6pin to 9pin adapters similar to the one I normally use:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/FIR1369AD/
The only 8 pin cables and adapters I could find were USB. They won't work on Firewire devices.
4pin Firewire is a mini connection that I have only seen in cameras. If you really are using a 4 and/or 8 pin cable, I suggest you try a different Firewire adapter method.
My suggestions below are based on using a 6pin to 9pin adapter like that mentioned above or cable like this one I have also successfully used:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP320LL/A
(1) Test in another User Account on your iMac. Be sure to also consider all the other suggestions for external iSight from:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
You do not say which of your Macs has only FW800 ports that require a Firewire adapter. To remove as many variables as possible, test the same cables and Firewire 400-800 adapter on both Macs if it is possible to do so. If you only use the adapter on one Mac, it is possible that the adapter is the cause of your trouble. If one of your Macs has only FW400 and the other has only FW800, test with a different adapter or use a 6pin-9pin cable to test both your Firewire iSight. Also, test another Firewire 400 device to eliminate the possibility that your problem is caused by one of your connections.
(2) For additional ideas on how to test external iSight, consider the additional suggestions here:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
Unless the software and connected peripherals are EXACTLY the same on both your iMac and your MacBook, be sure to consider possible hardware or software conflicts with something else installed in or connected to your iMac. A link to more info about conflicts is included in the "How to test..." page.
(3) If you can rule out both possible conflicts and connection problems in the iMac, the problem must be either in your iMac's user account or in the system software used to operate your external iSight.
You can rule out problems with the user account by testing in several different accounts.
If the problem is EXACTLY the same in any user account you test on your iMac, your system software is suspect. Backup all your important files, repair permissions, and apply the 10.6.4 Combo Update:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1048
Follow the restart that completes the Combo Update with another permissions repair. Then test iSight again.
(4) Once your external iSight works correctly with your iMac's QuickTimeX, iChat, etc., it will work as well with Flash video websites as it does when you are running it from your MacBook.
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

External iSight not recognized

I have been reading up on iSight connection troubles for a while now, to no avail.
My *external firewire isight* stopped being recognized and/or turned on from one day to the next.
It *does not function in any software* (iVisit, iChat) i have been using it in (for years).
I have repaired permissions, thrown away plists and such.
*System Profiler* identifies the isight as an *'unknown device'*, which i find quite disturbing since i have not downloaded and/or installed anything prior to the malfunction and the subsequent lack of recognition of this cam.
This is certainly *not a User specific* issue, certainly *not a software specific issue*, certainly *not a problem with the cam* (unless it dies without even being touched of course)
Any further advice Very Welcome, i use this cam daily for my work.

Welcome to Discussions, Floatstone
You can use the suggestions in How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional to try to identify and correct the user-repairable issues I know about for external iSight.
Anything that people make can fail. Based on the troubleshooting you have already done, if your issue is not cables, connectors, or Firewire, it may be that your iSight itself needs repair. In that case, you will need the help of Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider. There are no user-serviceable parts in iSight.
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

External iSight not working on Powerbook G4

Hi,
I have had an external isight for awhile, however recently it has not been working. When I plug the camera into the firewire port the green light at the top lights up, then the camera makes a shuttering noise and then the light goes off. Twisting the lens to try to turn the camera on or off does nothing. The trouble shooting does not seem to work either. When I look to see if the firewire cable fuctions properly I go to the system profiler while the cable is inserted and all it says is, firewire bus speed 800mb/sec Speed. Should it tell me if a firewire cable is plugged in or not?
So I was wondering if i need a new cable, my firewire port is defective or if it is the camera.
Thanks
Ckwillia

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Ckwillia
You have done some good troubleshooting. The other suggestions in How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional should help you track down your problem with external iSight.
The fact that your iSight does not show as a Firewire device in System Profiler is a problem. Rule out the easy-to-fix possibilities like cables, ports, or connections. If necessary, try resetting the Firewire ports, and check your ports with another Firewire device if you have one or check your iSight on another OS X Mac.
When you get things working, with a working external iSight connected, your System Profiler should show iSight info like that in the following partial screenshot:
If it turns out to be the camera, you will need the services of an Apple Service Technician. There are no user serviceable parts in iSight.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

Help..... Need External iSight Insight

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