Isight noise

Whenever i try to record a video in imovie using the isight it makes a very fast beeping noise that gets recorded through the microphone right next to it. Thus making my sound have a constant beeping noise in it. Is there something im doing wrong or do i have a problem with my isight? anything else?

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"_*from day one*_ I had this interfering noise with the iSight."
Did you contact Apple during your 90 day warranty of free phone tech support? Do you have AppleCare?

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ISight Noise interference - I know what is causing it, but how to fix it?

Hi,
I bought a MacBook in April, and from day one I had this interfering noise with the iSight. Unfortunately for me, the iSight was one of the main reasons I bought a mac.
I looked online and there is no fix, there is no suggestions because there is "a small number of users with this problem" (which I doubt for some reason) or that nobody knows why its doing it.
I continued to use the iSight after I figured that editing the sound with the EQ reduces it, but its a tedious task. And the noise is never actually gone, just reduced.
By chance I was recording with the iSight outside on a sunny day. And would you believe the sound that was recoded came out crystal clear. I took it home and I tried recording again and the interfering noise was back.
The only difference that I could think of between the two recordings was light. Outside was really bright out, but inside it was it wasn't as half as bright.
So to test this, I got my lamp and I held it up against the iSight and I started taking. The sound was perfect. Take it away let the camera adjust to the darker room and it was back to the usual tricks.
So now that I know the auto brightness feature of the iSight causes this noise, I downloaded iGlasses to mess around with contrast and brightness etc. ... no luck. Still had the noise.
So I'm here wondering, if there will ever be an apple fix for the auto perfect picture thing on the iSight because recording in the shade just causes an interfering noise. And living in Ireland we never get that many sunny days. So I cant use direct sunlight all the time.
Any suggestions would be nice.

To Apple Discussions!
"_*from day one*_ I had this interfering noise with the iSight."
Did you contact Apple during your 90 day warranty of free phone tech support? Do you have AppleCare?

New External iSight & still same problem

I just got my external iSight camera replaced because I was haveing a issue that whenever I plugged it in, the light would turn on for about 2 seconds, then it would make a noise and shut off. Rotating the ring in the front was of no help either. I sent in for a replacment and now the new one has the exact same problem.The only thing that I can think of is that there is some kinnd of compatability issue or something. Any suggestions are aprecheated, thank you.
System Specs:
Powermac G5
DualCore 2.0Ghz
2.6GB RAM
OS X Tiger 10.4.6
PowerMac G5 2.0Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Cujo,
Thats common. Plugging the iSight in to the firewire port results in the green light coming on and it makes a little noise, thats the camera itself being detected by OSX. Then the little light goes off.
When you open iChat, and open the preferences for Video/Audio, the light will come back on, maybe make the same noise, and should be working.
The green light and associated iSight noises (auto focus), are only present when the camera is in use.
IE: in a video conference.
Otherwise, the light is off.
It is not a problem, its how the camera works.
Also, turning the front of the camera only enables or disables the privacy shutter.

Camera Graininess (video noise) on the iSight

Help- I have some really bad camera noise on the iSight and it seems to be in every application (iMovie, Quicktime, iChat). I'm wondering if my iSight is broken, or I'm doing something wrong?
I took a screen shot of it, with all the lights in the room on. It was very bright, and I'm still getting a lot of camera noise. help!
You can click on the image below to see the full sized screen shot.
Message was edited by: Fausto Fernos1

Hello Fausto Fernos1
What application did you use to capture and enlarge this image? Your full-sized image is 991x736 pixels. iSight's native resolution is 640x480. Any camera noise is exaggerated when you enlarge the image beyond the native resolution.
Considering the size of the webcam image you have made and the quality of your lighting, your picture does not look "really bad" to me. However, if you want higher quality images, consider using a compatible Firewire camcorder for your video webcam needs. Most 2MP or higher digital still cameras will deliver better still images than any webcam.
If you want to try for better quality than this with your external iSight, try making another image when you can use daylight to illuminate your location. As explained in Use good lighting for the best iSight picture, the KIND of light you use is as important as the AMOUNT.
For some other suggestions, consider the suggestions in Improving Your iSight's Picture.
If you want other ideas, consider the How to test your (external) iSight to ensure it is functional suggestions for taking your iSight to a different location or a different Mac to see if the image quality is the same.
Finally, operating temperature can also effect camera noise. If your location is unusually (uncomfortably) hot, or if your iSight's air vents have been blocked so its temperature has risen, consider a cooler environment or unplugging your iSight for an hour to let it cool before repeating your tests. If your location is subject to atmospheric dust, consider gently vacuuming your iSight to remove any dust that may be restricting the flow of air through the vent holes in iSight's case.
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

Loud noise when iSight launches from iMovie

Hi everyone,
I just bought a MacBook Pro and when I launch iMovie and slide the little button (scissors to movie camera) to turn on the iSight my MBP makes a loud (EEEEEHHHHHH) sound. When it happens it sounds like my speakers are going to blow. It lasts for about a second or two. Is this a known problem?
The problem doesn't occur when I launch Photo Booth, only iSight.
I'm current on all updates.
Steve

Hello Steve,
Is this a known problem?
It is not a known problem with iSight. Here are a couple of things you should try.
First, try turning your speakers' volume off before sliding the button. Then turn you sound up gradually, and let us know if the problem still exists.
If you use an external microphone or speakers, you can also try disconnecting them to see wether they might be causing your problem.
Next, try every suggestion re: Built-in iSight in How to Troubleshoot iSight. Be sure to include the checks to determine whether the problem is "application-specific" or "user-specific".
If I am correct that you have already tested both iMovie and Photo Booth, you were wise to test with more than one application. However, Photo Booth does not record sound, so that may be why you are not getting the noise with Photo Booth. Try some other applications that can record sound.
In addition to iMovie, any of the other video or movie clip applications from this list can record both video AND SOUND with your iSight. So can the apps linked in the "iSight as a surveillance or Nanny cam section of that page.
If you have it, QuickTime Pro is an easy one to use with your iSight.
Some clip recording applications, like Gcam, are free.
Others, like WebcamTweaker, offer free demos that you could use to test if they give better results than iMovie.
These tests will let you determine whether your problem is in your iSight itself or is an iMovie problem, and they may help you fix the problem while you are doing the checks.
Please let us know what fixes your problem.
If your problem remains after the tests, please post back what you tried and include any new info that your testing provides.
Cheers,
Jim
Mac OS X (10.4.9) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

External iSight makes noises after connecting

After connecting my external iSight to my ibook g4, the camera makes a strange noise, probably coming out of its mic or the lens which is like trying to focus..or I don´t know. It´s a short buzzing sound which sometimes appears while the camera operates. I hope somebody has got an explanation for this..

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Artjom
In my relatively quiet location, I can occasionally hear External iSight's auto-focus mechanism make what I can best describe as a quite "chhhh" sound. It makes the noise for me when I plug iSight in, and also when I change my position or hold something up between me and the camera during a chat. Your description sounds to me as if you are describing the auto-focus mechanism's sound.
You can test your iSight to ensure it is functional. The second part of the test page deals with testing External iSight's auto-focus. Use bright light while you are testing to rule out problems of insufficient illumination. Best quality video requires more light than what I consider normal room lighting. Listen for your sound when you change the distance in the focus test. If you want to be thorough, try testing again with your iSight on a different Mac. If the sound you hear during the test is what you have been hearing, you are, indeed, hearing iSight focusing, and you have nothing to worry about.
However, if the auto-focus "chhhh" is not the sound you are posting about, your iSight may need service. Did your iSight only recently begin to make this sound, or is the sound growing louder, growing longer in duration, or occurring more frequently? If so, you might want to take your iSight and your iBook to your Apple-Authorized Service Provider for a professional check. There are no user serviceable parts inside iSight.
Jim
Mac OS X (10.4.9) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

High Pitched Noise When Recording From iSight Camera

I apologize if this has been asked before. I did a search on here as well as with Google.
Whenever I record a video clip using the built in iSight camera I notice that there is a constant high-pitched noise embedded in the clip. You don't hear the noise during recording, and otherwise the audio is crystal clear during playback, but I can't seem to figure out what is causing this noise. Video clips I import into iMovie don't have this problem. Has anyone else experienced this problem? How can I prevent this from happening with future recordings?

Hello obsidianspider
I am sorry to report that you are one of about ten people who have posted here about audio noises during video recordings with MacBooks. I listened to your YouTube clip, and I believe you are hearing something. I can hear the muffled "thumping" of background noises being amplified because there is no voice or other close sound being recorded in your video, but my old ears do not hear anything high pitched in your video (or anywhere else for that matter.)
I am sure Apple is aware of the issue, but with so small a number reporting this issue among thousands of MacBooks sold, I understand why there is not yet a kBase technical article on this subject.
I expect that Apple searches its warranty & repair work for quality issues and trends, but, if you have not (and do not) contact Apple or your retailer for service on this issue, please report your problem via MacBook Feedback so Apple can accurately record the magnitude of this problem. Unlike posting in this user forum, "Feedback" reports go directly to Apple.
We users who post here have found no solution yet, so the problem appears to require professional service for resolution.
However, if you are willing to try a test, please post back and tell us whether video or movie clip recording applications other than Apple's give the same audio noise you hear when using iSight with iMovie. Apple's QuickTime Pro has already been tested and found to exhibit the problem.
If you have access to an external microphone that can be located away from your Mac while you record video, you could also test to see whether you are recording a physical sound coming from your Mac or electronic noise being produced within your Mac's circuitry.
If you want to read the suggestions we have offered for minimizing your audio noise in video recordings, take a look at the suggestions offered in Eemma's thread, which was the first to report this problem. The suggestions for minimizing noise start here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4483866&#4483866
If you want to read what other users who experience this (or similar noise) problem, you can find them in these two threads:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=972540
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1136286
If you or any other reader finds a solution, please share it.
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

Isight camera makes noise when recording in imovie

I have just purchased a white Macbook, 2.16GHz. I'm running OSX 10.4.10 and all of my firmware is up-to-date. When I make a recording with the isight camera and the built in mic in Imovie HD, there is a high-pitched nois that can be heard when playing the video back. It is almost like a very fast highl-pitched beeping. I have tried recording with the "Use ambient noise reduction" option under the sound input system preferences turned on and off; it makes no difference. Does / has anyone else had this problem? Can it be fixed?
Message was edited by: kiko-man

Hello again, Hinsight4
I have seen posts from three or four users about this problem on iNtel Macs. You should try the suggestions offered in the other thread where you posted about this:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5112825#5112825
If none of those suggestions resolve your problem, you likely have a hardware problem. In that case, contact the retailer who sold you your Mac, Apple, or your Apple-Authorized Service Provider for professional help.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

External isight auto focus noise

i have an isight that appears to be working fine (it focuses, displays image, has sound, etc) however i have not used it in quite some time.
my question is that i can clearly hear the focus mechanism in this external firewire isight and i am checking to see from someone who uses these a lot if that is normal.
i have used the built in isight in my macbook and i never hear any noise although i realize that they are very different units.
is it normal to be able to hear the auto focus noise for an external unit?

Thanks Tony,
I had this one as an Email at home.
Sent them here as well http://www.ralphjohnsuk.dsl.pipex.com/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
(how to Check your iSight is Functional)
7:59 PM Tuesday; September 11, 2007

ISight Autofocus Noise

Hi Folks. I have a bit of an odd situation that is starting to try my patience....
I have an iSight camera that I am using as a webcam. Sometimes, depending on where I am sitting, it seems that maybe the autofocus has a problem figuring out what to focus on? It starts making a noise that I can only describe as a "bzzt" sound every few seconds. If I leave it alone, it will keep doing that every few seconds.
Usually, though, if I move over slightly in my chair, or wave my arm in front of it, the noise will stop. Does that make any sense?
I tried to use Google to see if I could find anyone else in the same situation, but "isight autofocus bzzt" didn't return many hits. I've also searched this forum as well as several others, but can't seem to find a similar situation/problem out there. I don't know if it is a lighting issue, or what the deal is.
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mike
PowerMac Dual 2.0 G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi Michael,
Welcome To The Apple Discussion Pages.
It may be just a question of improving the lighting to the area that you are in. The camera may be having problems with bright areas behind you.
Ian's Fun but helpful FAQ http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=406152
10:03 PM Wednesday; June 7, 2006

Noise when using isight in Movie 08

I have substantial noise when using iSight in iMovie '08. Please see my example on Youtube Mirno63 labeled test. I would like to have my daughter practice for a recital using isight but the noise is so loud. Please help!
Thanks
Marian

Hello, Marian (mirno)
If I am listening to the correct YouTube video, I think that at least some of the sound that is troubling you is background noise. Sookyas may also be right that feedback is causing your problem.
In either case, using an external Mic that is positioned closer to the voice you want to record than to your MBP should help you.
I use this Logitech USB Desktop Microphone when I want to get sound from a person who is not close to my Mac. My Logitech does a GREAT job on spoken words. Although it is not advertised as (and does not cost as much as) a music microphone, it gives better sound recordings than my laptop's built-in mic unless the voice being recorded is very close to my laptop. It certainly meets my singing and other amateur music needs. However, other brands should work, too.
Unless you can buy one from a trusted retailer who will give you full exchange or refund credit if a new microphone does not correct your problems, I suggest you take your wonderfully portable MBP with you when you shop, add any needed driver, and test the mic before you buy.
Here is how I would perform the test.
• Leave "AudioMide" settings at default. (You should not need to change these settings when using iMovie except in extraordinary circumstances.)
• Set your  > System Preferences > Sound > Input to use the new mic as your input device.
• Extend the microphone's cable away from your MBP, and start recording.
• Leave the computer where it is and physically move near the mic so your mouth is approximately half a meter from mic.
• Sing or speak in a normal voice for a few seconds and then stop the recording.
• Now change your System Sound Input preference back to user you MBP's built-in mic again.
• Start recording again.
• Leaving the MBP in place, move back to the same place where you tested the external mic.
• Sing or speak again at about the same volume you did when using the external mic.
• Stop the recording, and play back both recording so you can compare them.
This test should let you easily determine whether the external mic meets your needs.
If the noise is still there when recording from the external mic, there is most likely something wrong with your Mac. Contact Apple or your Apple-Authorized Service Provider.
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

ISight videos with heavy background noise

Hi,
Last 2 mths, whenever I try to record something using the internal mic on iSight there is a heavy heavy distortion/background noise. My voice gets recorded over this heavy noise.
This is the link. Please take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2P1ptBweJU
But when I connect an external mic....the noise disappears.
Can someone please help me?......

Salova wrote:
HI,
I recorded that video using photo booth. Its terrible with photo booth. I tried doing a recording with Imovie...there was background noises but not as bad as photo booth.
I dont have any account setting in my mac...I am the only user.
The level slider for the mic is set at more then 3/4.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers
You're welcome, and thanks for the new info.
We are trying to determine whether your trouble is in your hardware (which would require repair by a technician) or is a problem in an individual application, user account, or perhaps even some system software component that you might be able to correct on your own.
I did not specifically ask that you do so earlier, but you should create another user account now. More than one account will allow you to test to determine whether the problem is limited to your original (administrator) user account. If you need instructions for how to create a new account, search your MacBook's Finder > Help for "new user account" (without quotation marks.)
Having created the new user account, you can try all of the following suggestions:
(0) If the noise is not there when you play any other YouTube videos, you can be sure the problem is not with your audio output circuitry or speakers.
(1) Built-in iSight has no microphone of its own; it uses your Mac's built-in mic for sound input. Based on the info you have posted to date, your MB's built-in mic may have hardware problems.
You can test this by checking whether your saved clips that use your Mac's inbuilt mic have the same noise regardless of: (a) whether or not you are making any sounds during the recording, (b) whether you record using either Photo Booth or iMovie to record an iSight video clip, and (c) whether your try these tests in either your original or newly created user account.
Unless the problem is the same in all these tests, note any difference you encounter so you can tell the technician (in the event that professional service is eventually determined to be necessary.)
(2) You could download and apply the 10.5.8 COMBO update:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate
Use your MacBook's Disk Utility to repair permissions before the update and again IMMEDIATELY after the restart that finishes the installation.
Then test again to see if the problem persists.
Although I doubt that it will correct your particular problem, properly applying the Combo Update costs nothing but a bit of time, and it has been reported to correct a variety of strange problems for many of us users.
(3) If none of the suggestions you get here resolves your problem, and if the problem never appears when you use your external mic, your problem seems likely to be a hardware problem in your MacBook.
In that case, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
I suggest that you backup all your important files before relinquishing your Mac for service.
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 makes funny noise

Hello!
My iSight camera makes a funny noise almost constantly. It goes like "chirp-chirp-chirp". I know what it is: The camera is going in and out of focus all the time. But how can I stop it? I tried to install the latest firmware, but the installer told me it doesn't work on Mac OS X 10.4
Is there any way I can "reset" the camera?
Thank you very much!
David

Is there any way I can "reset" the camera?Not that I know, David. The best suggestion I can offer is to test your iSight using the suggestions in How to test your iSight to ensure it is functional. If you can, be sure to check whether your iSight behaves the same on another Mac. If it does, have your iSight checked by an Apple Service Technician. There are no user serviceable parts inside. (The Technician may also want to test iSight with your PowerBook, so take your PB along.)
Here are a couple of less likely possibilities that you can try:
If you do not regularly perform Mac OS X maintenance, try that before testing your iSight.
If you did not update to 10.4.3 via the "Combo Updater", you might also want to try applying the Combo using the method described in How I Update My Mac OS X. Some users have reported that re-applying the Combo Updater has corrected a wide variety of issues.

ISight Making Clicking Noise and Locking Up Computer

I have an iSight that worked perfectly for about a month. Recently it seems to work well when I first start iChat, but after only a few minutes the image locks and the camera starts making a clicking noise. The green light goes on and off. Sometimes the image will start again, and sometimes it does not. It also often seems to lock the entire application (either Skype or iChat). I have to completely turn off the computer and re-start. Also, I can't turn on the computer with my iSight plugged in. I have tried both fire-wire ports, don't have any other devices connected by firewire. I do have a wireless router I put in place, but can't remember if any of the problems seemed to start when I put this in or not. Any suggestions are appreciated. I bought the camera on eBay, but it came still wrapped in plastic with all original packaging. It appeared to be brand new. Thanks for any thoughts!!!

You're welcome, kerk7
Your M8817LL/C iSight is at least a couple of years newer than my iSight. My old "Rev A" has never failed in daily use, and it is still working fine. Click here if you want more info about model visions.
Yes, other cameras will work. For instance, I used my Firewire-equipped DV camcorder for my first couple of months of "iChatting." If you have a camcorder with a Firewire cable, disconnect all other Firewire devices, plug the camcorder in, and try it with iSight. My camcorder was not nearly so handy as my iSight, and I was nervous about dropping the camcorder or using it up video chatting instead of making video recordings, but it worked fine, and the image quality was great.
Because you are using OS X 10.4.10, the new "UVC" webcams will work without additional driver software (for compatible applications.) Note that applications like iMovie that require Firewire DV input signals from external cameras will NOT work with these UVC cams. Check the System Requirements of each software application you will use for compatibility info. If you plan to use your webcam with iMovie or other Firewire-only apps, you may want to get your iSight repaired (if it can be) or buy one of the available alternative Firewire cams. If you really want a UVC cam instead, you could record your movie/video clips using some compatible application that can make movie or video clips and then import the clips into your iMovie project for processing.
You ask for "thoughts."
(1) When shopping, remember that significantly cheaper cameras likely have fewer features than iSight. Many do not auto focus. Some do not automatically adjust lighting. Some do not have microphones, so, depending upon which Mac you use, you may need to buy a separate mic. Check carefully for features that are important to you.
(2) Some very low-priced cams may give lower quality images. See John Kennedy's "Cameras and Image Quality", the Sat - October 30, 2004, blog for a comparison. Although new external iSights are no longer available from Apple, the image quality of external iSight shown in the comparison should be representative of current high-quality web cams.
(3) Any but the lowest-cost webcams should give an adequate quality image, but remember that your husband will be the one looking at the image from the camera you buy. If your Mac is portable, the best way to determine which cameras offer an image "good enough" for your needs is to take your Mac along when you shop. Ask the retailer to demonstrate the camera on your computer with the software application you will use. The preview function of your software will let you judge the quality the actual image from a particular camera as well as demonstrate to you that the camera model is compatible with your software. If you use a desktop Mac, ask the retailer to demonstrate the camera on one of his Macs with the same Mac OS and software applications that you plan to use.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 External iSight

Is it common for imac 20" isight to have noise problems?

Hi there,
I ordered imac 20" isight and currently waiting for delivery. I am getting woried over these "buzzing noise" and other noise problems reported over and over again here on these boards. Can more experienced users of these boards, apple insiders and anyone else give me your opinion:
Is it common for imac 20" isight to have noise problems?
I am really considering to get 17" if there is any real information it is considerably more quiet.
Thank you in advance.

We have a new 17" and 20"
The 17" is virtually silent, the 20" there is some fan noise.
I find it annoying, although it is 100% quieter than my old PowerMac, which I got used to!

Isight noise

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