ISight camera fades while using iChat

I have a MBA running the latest OS and when iChatting my built in iSight camera fades and becomes substantial darker. Any help would be appreciated.

Scott Fox wrote:
Thanks for the suggestion but my MBA screen does not dim only the window displaying my face in iChat dims. The window of the person I am talking to does not dim. This camera dimming of my face is also seen in the window depicting me on the other persons mac.
Note I tried a long movie recording in Photo Booth and there was no detectable dimming in the video even after an hour of recording.
You're welcome, Scott.
Based on that, I agree with Ralph that it seems most likely that your camera may be detecting changes in room brightness and adjusting the picture you are sending accordingly.
(1) Are you doing ANYTHING while chatting: opening a webpage, using any menu on your Mac, or anything else that could change the amount of light coming from your monitor? You can test this by turning screen brightness down and asking if your chat partner sees a change in the brightness of your image.
(2) Are these long chats where the lighting in the room is changing? You can test this by greatly changing room light with lamps or curtains to see if the iSight image on your Mac changes at the same time.
(3) How many minutes of chat time is one session? Are you running on battery when this occurs? I am not certain of this, but I believe that, even if you are connected to electrical power, the high processor demands of video chatting with iChat 5 in Mac OS X (10.6.1) might be causing you battery to also contribute to your MBA's power needs. If so, the OS might be applying power saving measures during your chat. You may be able test this by monitoring the battery charge percentage in the menu bar during a long chat where you are connected to power.
(4) If you get no better help here, and if the darkening persists while you are certain that none of the above is your problem, my only remaining suggestion is to see your Apple-Authorized Service Provider if you do not find a solution using one of the other suggestions in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
EZ Jim
MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz w/Mac OS X (10.6.1) G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.8)
G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) LED Cinema Display External iSight

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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 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

(Slow Network): iSight camera not working in iChat since Leopard upgrade

I have a different type of iChat video issue. My Power Mac G4, 867 MHz, 1 GB DRAM is a supported Mac for the Leopard upgrade. I've successfully installed OS 10.5.
Also my Power Mac meets the iChat Conferencing Requirements for 1-on-1 Video Chat per the OS 10.5 system requirements and the application note here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301050
My iSight camera is connected via Firewire to an Apple Cinema Display, which feeds back to the Power Mac G4.
1) When I boot from my 10.3.9 Carbon Copy Cloner backup my iSight works in iChat (at least locally to see myself) without any issue. Green light comes on and shows me locally on video and audio sound bars. Before the OS upgrade the iSight worked fine for live video conferences with iChat 2.1.3 under Mac OS 10.3.9
2) Running OS 10.5 when I go to iChat 4.0's preferences video pane the following message is waiting "This computer does not support video conferencing."
3) With Leopard iChat 4.0 the Connector Doctor under "capabilities" says "(Slow Network)" for 1-on-1 Video Chat and won't even show video locally or turn on the iSight's green light.

Fixed!
My Power Mac Quicksilver G4, 867 MHz. problem with (Slow Network) in the iChat Connection Doctor, no video preview or video iChat since upgrading to OS 10.5 Leopard and iChat 4.0 has been solved with the following posted towards the end of the thread below. I can finally see my video preview with iChat 4.0 and have also video chatted successfully with one other user.
Topic : Macbook - iChat says "This computer does not support video conferencing"
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1197506
Fixed by Apple Article: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307035
Products affected
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
iChat
PowerPC-based Mac with a 867MHz processor
Solution
Quit iChat.
Open Terminal (it's in the Utilities folder, in the Applications folder).
In Terminal type or paste this command on a single line:
defaults write com.apple.iChat newbwdup 300000
Press Return.
Quit Terminal.
Open iChat.

Isight Camera not working in Ichat, but green light on...

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Well, this is the answer! I just did a hard restart by force quiting it all. You do this by holding down the power button. Thought I better post in case someone else has the same problem.

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I simply want to be able to see any of the isight webcams that are on my various computers in my home from another computer when I am not home to keep an eye on things.
I have tried off and on for years to get Quicktime Broadcaster to work, but i'm not sure if that's even the right way to go.
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David Lawrence4 wrote:
thanks for the reply.
You're welcome.
installing darwin streaming server ... So frustrating!
I don't see any question here. Perhaps training from your Apple retailer or a local computer training specialist would ease your frustration. Local computer clubs or user groups might be able to recommend someone to you. If not, you will need to do the research and study on your own if you continue to pursue the QuickTime approach.
By nature of its considerable capabilities and breadth of functions, Apple's full-powered, professional QT software is more complicated than the other software solutions I suggested. Those other applications do not offer the same power and capability as Apple's professional QT apps, but neither do they require you invest so much time for research, study, and test runs.
If you are determined to learn and use the QT approach, start your study with the FAQs, tutorials, and other info on the applications are available from these links:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/broadcaster/
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/streamingserver/
http://developer.apple.com/opensource/server/streaming/index.html
Additional (and more advanced) info is available from the Apple Developer Connection pages:
http://tinyurl.com/2cyvwsm for Broadcaster
http://tinyurl.com/27tl8k9 for Streaming Server
http://dss.macosforge.org/ (for Darwin Streaming Server)
Implementing streaming video using these QT products may be easier if you use the versions integrated into Mac OS X Server. See http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/ for information that may help you decide whether to buy OS X Server.
If you have no plans for streaming video beyond that you have described, you might want to reconsider using the professional QT apps. You will likely find the surveillance or webcam apps far simpler to configure and use.
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

Noisy fans while using iChat

All other times, the fans are dead silent and rarely go beyond 2000 rmp.
But they go crazy when I do video-calls on iChat. Anybody experienced similar issue?

If the fans are noisy you can always try a SMC reset however I'd say your machine is working normally.
*SMC RESET*
• Shut down the computer.
• Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
• On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
• Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
• Press the power button to turn on the computer.
Roger

IMac iSight camera doesn't work in oSX

The built in iSight camera in my iMac has stopped working in OSX. It certainly used to work in the past but I'm not sure exactly when it stopped.
This is definitely an OSX software issue as the camera works when using Skype on Windows XP on Parallels on the same Mac.
iChat, Skype and Photo Booth on OSX all just show a black screen for video. The green camera light is on.
System Profiler shows USB / USB High-Speed Bus / Built-in iSight
This issue seems to come up a lot and I have tried the following without success:
- reset the SMC (power down computer and unplugging all connectors)
- reset the PRAM
- created a new account to see if the issue occurs in that account - it does
Any suggestions?

+(1) You have tried some good troubleshooting already. Your iSight can only operate with one application at a time, so, when you test OS X apps:+
+ • quit all other apps,+
+ • have nothing active in fast user swithching, and+
+ • have no Windows® items using iSight.+
iSight does not work when only iChat, Photo Booth, Skype or iMovies is running. All just show a black screen.
+(2) Restart the Mac and check iSight with no other apps or Login Items running. If the problems persist, try all relevant suggestions from:+
+ http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090+
I have gone through this already several times - I came across these instructions googling for the problem of iSight not working .
+In your testing, you should add QuickTimeX to the list of OS X apps you test with iSight.+
With QuickTime I again get a black screen with the New Movie Recording command and the message "Recording failed because no data was received. Make sure the media input source is turned on an playing".
+If your iSight problem still occurs in more than one app and more than one user account, the reset suggested there often restores proper function of inbuilt iSight.+
+(3) The instructions for proper SMC reset of your iNtel iMac are found here:+
+ http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964+
+Be certain to begin with the instructions in the section marked "Before Resetting the SMC". After that, the reset instructions specific to your iMac 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo are are follows:+
I have done this 3 times. I went through these instructions before posting this message. Additionally I unplugged all connectors to the Mac.
+(4) If your problem persists and you need to post back for other suggestions, please let us know which OS X apps you tested in more than one user account and whether any of them worked properly. Also confirm that those tests were done when no other apps or OSs that can use iSight were running.+
iChat, Skype, Photo Booth, Quicktime and iMovie do not work.
I only had one of these applications running at a time.
I set up another user account and none of these applications worked.
The iSight camera does work using Skype on Windows XP running on Parallels. Note: Parallels is not running when I tested the OSX applications.
+(5) If you need to post back for other suggestions, please also verify that your inbuilt iSight is recognized as a USB device in your Mac's System Profiler utility.+
Yes, the built-in iSight does appear in System Profiler under USB > USB High Speed Bus > Built-in iSight
Built-in iSight:
Product ID: 0x8502
Vendor ID: 0x05ac (Apple Inc.)
Version: 1.45
Serial Number: 606F6A72C9AEA8D8 (03.01)
Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Location ID: 0xfd400000
Current Available (mA): 500
Current Required (mA): 500
+(6) If you need to post back for other suggestions, in addition to Skype, please also list any webcam-enabled third-party software you use, and tell us whether you have verified that it is the current version compatible with Mac OS X 10.6.4+
I do not have any other 3rd party webcam applications other than Skype. Additionally, I only installed Skype after I discovered the iSight was not working in order to see if the same problem happens with Skype.
I took a quick look at the Console. Interestingly the following message appears from all of the applications where iSight does not work. I also have a MacBook Pro where iSight does work and the same messages do not appear with the same applications.
28/08/2010 14:34:59 iChat[632] __CFServiceControllerBeginPBSLoadForLocalizations timed out while talking to pbs
28/08/2010 14:35:05 iChat[632] ------ startPreview: previewing: 2
28/08/2010 14:35:18 iChat[632] [Warning] FZVideoConferenceController: _localVideoClientCount decremented below 0!
28/08/2010 14:36:51 QuickTime Player[642] __CFServiceControllerBeginPBSLoadForLocalizations timed out while talking to pbs
28/08/2010 14:38:49 Skype[649] __CFServiceControllerBeginPBSLoadForLocalizations timed out while talking to pbs
28/08/2010 14:39:47 Photo Booth[655] __CFServiceControllerBeginPBSLoadForLocalizations timed out while talking to pbs

Inbuilt isight camera problem

Hi,
Bought myself a new iMac 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo on Thursday. Tonight I sat down and thought I'd see what this iSight thing is all about. Then I realised that the green indicator light is on permanently and i think it should only be on when the inbuilt iSight camera is being used. Just tried to take a snapshot for iChat but was unable to do so. I looked under iChat preferences and it says "There is no camera attached to this compter". Similarly iMovie HD says "no camera attached". I went to System Profiler and under USB I can see no listing for iSight.
Would be grateful for any suggested solutions.
iMac 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)
iMac 450 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Hi, well after rebooting, unplugging resetting the smc or whatever it is called i made no progress so i reinstalled the Mac OS software. At least the built-in iSight camera is now recognised in system profiler, and the green light isn't on permanently. I have managed to get the camera working for no more than four minutes at a stetch. Then it freezes and on restarting delivers green or black images. I am unplugging and rebooting each time this happens. Currently it is not working at all.
Judging from what I can see all over these support forums the built-in iSight camera is next to useless and a source or irritation to most iMac owners. It also sounds like Apple haven't responded well to user requests for help. Well, in the morning I will phone the Apple Support people and see if they have any solutions. Otherwise it looks like I will have to get an external camera. I am assuming an external camera can be used with my iMac. Any suggestions for cameras would be greatly appreciated. I'm certainly not going to put up with this in-built camera hassle beyond this weekend.

SIMPLE QUESTION - EXTERNAL iSIGHT CAMERA

I just have a simple question...
I was using an older iMac G5 with an external iSight camera and just upgraded to a new 24" iMac. Can the external iSight camera still be used on an iMac with a built-in camera?
The cable with the external camera allows for more flexible viewing capability.

Hello rgarros50
The second part of your question is not quite so simple.
Plug your external iSight in and turn it on. If you like, you can use the suggestions from How to test your (external) iSight to ensure it is functional to be sure it is working with your new iMac.
The answer to your question about the "default camera" depends on which application you are using to operate your iSight. Here is how camera selection works in a few example:
(1) For iChat, you can choose which iSight you use in the "Camera:" choices bar in iChat > Preferences... > Audio/Video that appears when more than one compatible camera is connected. Although your camera choices will be different, the choices bar will look something similar to the Preferences settings shown here:
Most other applications also have settings that allow you to choose which camera to use. However, they do not all work the same way.
(2) For instance, iMovie's camera choice is NOT set via Preferences. When you have more than one compatible camera connected, iMovie uses a drop-down menu choice something like this (depending on which version of iMovie you use):
Note: Because I have no built-in iSight, when my external iSight is disconnected, the drop-down menu shows only "Time Lapse." Because your iMac has a built-in iSight, your built-in iSight will show in the drop-down menu even when no other camera is connected. Connecting your external iSight should allow you to choose either camera.
(3) Photo Booth is such a simple, basic app that it offers no menu selectable choice. Unless you make your built-in iSight the camera being used by some open application before you launch Photo Booth, Photo Booth will use ONLY your built-in iSight.
However, you can use the trick from ¶ 4 of http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302781 to let Photo Booth use your Firewire external iSight:
• Connect your external iSight and turn it on.
• Quit Photo Booth (PB) if it is running.
• Launch any app with a user-selectable camera "Preferences..." menu command.
(The "tip" suggests that you use iChat, but others should work as well.)
• Open "Preferences..." and set the camera "Preference" to use your built-in iSight.
• Now launch PB. PB should now use the external iSight
because your built-in camera is in use by the other application.
(4) For apps other than those above, see their Help or other documentation.
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

Computer cannot see iSight camera

My iSight camera has suddenly stopped communicating with my computer. There is nothing wrong with the camera itself as I have tested that on my iBook and it works fine through the same internet connection.
When attached to my Power Mac however, there are no symbols in iChat. I can chat via written text but that is all. When I go to the iChat preferences box it tells me that there is no camera connected.
I have tried switching firewire cable ports but no no affect. This is obviousely a software problem but I do not know where to start to fix it.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Power Mac G4 550 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Sometimes the fix is as simple as restarting your Mac with the iSight connected. Repairing your Mac's disk permissions might also correct the problem. If not, try the following in any order that makes sense for your system.
You have tried some of the tests suggested in How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional. Try the others you think might help you track down the problem causing your symptom. If your Mac's System Profiler does not recognize your iSight as a Firewire Hardware item, pay particular attention to the Firewire related suggestions.
If your ONLY iSight problem is when using iChat AV, you can quit iChat AV and then delete the com.apple.ichat.plist file (iChat Preferences) from your Users / (your home account) / Library / Preferences folder. Restart iChat afterwards to rebuild the .plist. After the restart, you will need to reset your iChat preferences to reflect your choices. Then check to see if iChat recognizes your iSight.
You may find useful corrective action suggestions in Using iSight with iChat AV or How to get iChat AV working again. If you can remember when the problem started, you can eliminate trying all the trouble shooting possibilities that are not relevant.
Applying the 10.3.9 Combo Updater as suggested in How I Update My Mac OS X may resolve your problem. The only way to know whether the Combo Updater will help is to try it. Applying it cannot harm anything.
Let us know what gets it working for you.
Jim

How do I use my iSight camera through msn messanger rather than iChat?

How do I use my iSight camera through msn messanger rather than iChat?

Hi
MSN for mac any version does not do video.
aMSN and Mercury do video but no audio.
if you are trying to video with a PC you will be better off using Skype
Mac version http://www.skype.com/download/skype/macosx/index.html
PC version http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/helloagain.html
Tony

HT3964 Hello, my isight camer is not working properly, i was using photo booth and suddenly the image was black or too dark and also ichat and facetime are too dark as well, please helpme out i can not find any solution.

Hello, my isight camer is not working properly, i was using photo booth and suddenly the image was black or too dark and also ichat and facetime are too dark as well, please helpme out i can not find any solution.

read this and see if it helps: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2090

ISight camera "in use by another application"

Hello. I'm having trouble using my built-in iSight camera in my brand new MacBook Pro. I can get the thing to work while using iMovie 08, but it won't work with Photo Booth, iChat, or iMovie HD. The very first day I had the computer, it worked with Photo Booth, so I'm fairly certain it's a software problem. I've loaded a ton of software.
The error message I get for iChat and Photo Booth is "Photo Booth cannot open because no camera is attached or the camera is in use by another application." It isn't. I swear.
After reading through a bunch of posts, here's what I've tried:
1. Reinstalling QuickTime
2. Updating the OS
3. Rebooting
4. Repairing permissions
5. Deleting the Photo Booth preferences
6. Zapping the PRAM
7. Resetting the CMU
8. Logging in through a brand-new user account
9. Checking to make sure the camera shows up under the About This Mac/More Info section
10. Trashing everything I can find related to the HP Scanner software (though I'll need that again in the future)
11. Getting rid of other devices listed under the Image Capture folder in my Library
12. Re-installing Photo Booth
13. Calling Apple Support. They gave up and told me to "archive and reinstall," but after spending several weeks installing software, I don't want to do that. Archiving and reinstalling is a pain in the butt. They also offered to "escalate" the issue, but after 1.5 hours on the phone, I decided to try back another day.
In the meantime, I wanted to see if anyone else had some advice.
It feels like the old days of OS 9 extensions conflicts. But I'm just not sure how to problem solve these things. Like, for example, if it IS a problem with HP scanner software, how do I get rid of all of it? Might it be a problem with having both iMovie HD and iMovie 08 on the same computer...? How can I systematically problem-solve this thing?

Welcome to Apple Discussions, schmargle
I think you are on the right track. The fact that you have "loaded a ton of software" makes me think possible conflicts.
For your HP issue, parkersal's solution at http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=4246676#4246676 might help you. In addition to some more details about parkersal's tip, you can find some other users' suggestions in Shelia Addison's sightless iSight ... thread.
If HP is not your only problem, your quickest fix may to be an Erase (your entire startup disk) and Install (of the OS.) Update to the latest version, and test your iSight before you install anything else to be sure it works. Then install the additional software you need one-by-one, testing iSight between each one to make certain you know which one is breaking it.
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

ISight camera fades while using iChat

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