ISight PC compatibility

Can the iSight be used with a PC?....
If so, how do you get it to do so?....are there drivers you need to install? Where are they?
Thanks!

Hello UCBAria,
And Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The general answer to your questions is, "Not really a good idea." To the best of my knowledge the iSight camera does not have any driver to allow it to work with a PC (except for the microphone).
Instead, take a look at all of the new USB-2 webcams that are out there for sale designed for the Windows OS in mind. Some of them (USB-2) produce very good image and sound quality.
Respecfully,
Bill Gallagher

Similar Messages

HT3103 Is external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip?

Is the external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip

stewartmevans wrote:
Is the external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip
yes
However, if your Mac has only Firewire 800 ports, you need an adapter such as one of the following to connect your FW400 external iSight:
• This Firewire 400-800 cable can work: http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7041ZM/A (I use this one.)
• Some report that this low-priced alternative cable works:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189097
• To use your iSight's FW400 6pin-6pin cable, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter like one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m (I successfully use this one, too.)
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz OSX 10.7.2 24" LED Cinema Display
iPad2 iOS 5.0.1 5th Gen AEBS
MBP 15" i7 (Early'11) OSX 10.7.2 External iSights
13" MBP (Mid'09) 2.26GHz OSX 10.7.2 iBook SE 366MHz OSX 10.3.9

ISight camera-Compatability

We recently bought our G-5 and our iSight. We chat with someone on MSN Messenger and were wondering why we can't have a video chat? (They have a PC.) Even if we don't use our camera shouldn't we still be able to see theirs? Or them see ours? What is the best way to video chat with a pc user and iSight? Thanks for your help

Also, see info in response to wasim's sight MSM recent Discussion post.

MacOS 10.4.9 & iSight Compatbility!

Hi all...I am in dilemma right now!
I had just reserved a 2nd hand new
Apple iSight for my brother. He is
using a PowerMac G5 (late 2005)
with updated MacOS 10.4.9.
Will there be any compatibility issues
if I decides to finally continue with
the iSight purchase?
Will there be problems in future?
How can he check the Firmware
version and if its outdated, how can
he update the latest to it?
Please advise asap. Thanks.

Hello, iAppleAddict
In addition to the good info you have above, here are a couple more things you can consider.
I am using my External iSight with 10.4.9. There are no problems whatsoever with iSight and 10.4.9. If you do experience problems, they will be from some other cause.
Depending on your needs, you have other camera choices. One possible change to the info in the previous link with 10.4.9: Apple's info About the Mac OS X Update says that the 10.4.9 update: "Includes iChat support for USB Class webcams." I am uncertain exactly what that means regarding the need for iChatUSBCam when using 10.4.9, but the iChatUSBCam "camera guide" should still be helpful as a source list of cameras that are known to be compatible if you want to consider a USB webcam instead of iSight.
Compatibility issues with Yahoo! Messenger and other Chat Applications Commonly Used On PCs will be the result of the way those software packages work, not a result of the webcam you choose.
My iSight works fine for Skype video. However, I use a Logitech USB desk mic for Skype audio because the Skype software seems to have a problem dealing with iSight's integrated noise-canceling. Skype sound is useable with iSight's mic, but my Skype contacts like my sound quality better when I use my external mic. More info about Skype and Yahoo! at http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=-1&messageID=4151800
Your brother can check the Firmware version by plugging in the iSight and launching System Profiler. Here is a partial screenshot showing what to select to find the iSight's info:
The firmware revision will be at the very bottom of the column of information below iSight's Manufacturer and Model. The firmware revision is listed there as "Product Revision Level:" Mine is up to date, and System Profiler reports Product Revision Level: 1.0.3
If iSight needs firmware update, OS X's Software Update... will tell you so and install the update when you are ready.
Jim

IMac with built-in iSight, PC, Skype compatability

I know this is a simple question, but I read a few months ago where macs had a few compatability problems with webcam communicating to PC's. If both are using Skype, is there a problem webcam audio/visual communicating between a PC and an iMac using built in iSight?
Thanks for any help given.

There can be problems with Skype Mac to PC video connections, of course, but generally I'd say any problems there might be are not attributable to built-in iSight cameras.

Compatability with adobe Reader 9.3; use of isight camera with skype

I cannot open pdf documents with A. Reader - get the message that it is not supported by this unit. How does one get the isight camera to be active when I log on to Skype?

Hi, you have 2 ?'s
(1) In Skype go to Preferences & check out your Video settings..
(2) PDF auto opens in Preview - if you want have Adobe Reader you will need to d/load from Adobe, then you will need to Right Click on the file & amend Open With or make A/Reader your default..L

Isight compatability with PC and other web cam

I have just bought a powerbook and isight to use for VC abroad. I tried to conduct a VC with a friend who has a PC and it said that I did not respond. Can you use isight to VC with a PC or is it just apple to apple?
powerbook g4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Hi nmspickett and smokehouse
Welcome To The Apple Discussion Pages.
iChat will work with many cameras not just iSight.
MAc to PC need the PC to be using AIM 5.9 or Trillian whilst running XP. (AOL's Triton does not work with other Apps yet)
The AIM is free and the Trilian cost $25 for the Pro Video capable version.
AIM need setting up with Tuning These instructions work for AIM 5.5 as described in the link and AIM 5.9 but access to the 5.9 properties is via My AIM menu > Options > Properties and not as described in he link.
Both AIM and Trillian need enabling through the XP firewall. Service Pack 2 instructions here AIm is described but just do the same for Trillian.
11:32 PM Tuesday; February 28, 2006

External iSight camera's compatibility with OS 10.5.8 / iMovie 09

I'm new here and joined because I couldn't find the answers to my questions anywhere on the net.
I just upgraded my OS to 10.5.8 and then installed iLife 09, only to discover that my USB iMage webcam won't capture video in iMovie 09. So I've been researching a replacement, only to get totally overwhelmed by the options. I don't really need a more expensive digital camcorder . . . just a good quality webcam for vcasting.
I found an "A" model external iSight camera still new in box from an Amazon seller but am hesitant to push the BUY button for fear it won't do what I want or isn't compatible in some way with either the new OS or iMovie 09.
I surely would appreciate some input for you all about this iSight camera option and whether it's the best choice.
Thanks,
Janae

Welcome to Discussions, Janae
(1) Although iMovie Help says you should use a firewire webcam, as shown here, your USB iMage webcam should be compatible with 10.5.8 and iMovie '09:
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/imagewebcam/apps.html
Restart your Mac with your webcam connected and check iMovie function again. If you don't already know, this tutorial will show you how to record from a built-in USB iSight:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie-isight
To use your USB iMage webcam, the only thing you need to do differently from what is shown in this tutorial is to *be sure your webcam is selected* (instead of iSight) in the "Camera:" choices bar in the recording preview window.
(2) If you still have problems, try the relevant suggestions from
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1059#4
If you still have problems, post back any new info you discover during troubleshooting. We will try to offer specific suggestions based on the details in your response.
(3) If you want more info about camera alternatives, see Ralph's User Tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2018211
A couple of Firewire webcams that may still be available are:
http://www.firewire-1394.com/fire-i-webcam-unibrain.htm - and -
http://www.welovemacs.com/isweet1.html
Other readers should be aware that some webcams do not have built-in mics, auto-focus, etc., so check carefully for any features that are important to you.
In case you find any of these, this old review gives some opinions on the relative merits of a few different Firewire webcams:
http://www.macworld.com/article/27783/2003/12/firewirewebcams.html
EZ Jim
“I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link."
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.8) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

Built-in iSight compatibility

i was wondering if the built in isight was compatible with other messengers other than ichat. i would like to use it with msn and yahoo instant messengers for international friends i have in germany, england, and poland.
13" Black MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Welcome to Apple Discussions, 50cc3r 5+ud 6
Built-in iSight is a webcam. It will work with any software that is compatible with it. Check System Requirements for the software you choose.
In order to connect you your msn and yahoo chat friends, the software you use must be compatible with the msn and yahoo servers. You will need different client software for each.
msn for Mac is text only. NO camera works with it. There are two alternative clients of the msn server that may allow Mac video chat with PC Microsoft/MSN Messenger users:
Mercury Messenger for Mac and aMSN for Mac OS X.
Use whichever you find easiest to make work for you.
Yahoo! Messenger for Mac can use your built-in iSight to connect to your PC friends. However, in my testing, it does not work nearly as well as iChat between Macs, so do not expect too much.
Both msn and yahoo were originally written for and seem better supported on PCs. If you have access to a PC, you will likely encounter less difficulty using the PC version of msn and yahoo to connect to your friends who will use no other software. Alternatively, you could run the PC version using Boot Camp and XP on your MacBook or in a Parallels window.
If both you and your friends are willing to install your respective versions of Skype, you will have a more modern video chat application that may offer simpler and higher quality free video chat.
http://www.skype.com
Skype's web site explains their computer to telephone fee-for-service plans at length, but text, audio, and video conferencing between computers is free.
Enjoy video chatting,
Jim

ISight/Hermstedt Xbridge compatibility

I have purchased from Apple Store a Hermstedt Xbridge adsl router only to find that it is not compatible with my iSight camera. Apple say there should be no problem and suggest all sorts of fixes, but, when contacted as a last resort, Hermstedt say that, 100%, their router is NOT compatible with iSight. Why on earth do Apple sell something which is not compatible with all their kit?
Has anybody got a solution to this, other than buying another router - and if I do will it work??

It looks like we have the same computer. I'm getting my ram here
It's only $4.99 more for the 1GB "PC2-4200" and it looks like Kingston has the ram you want "PC2-4200" for $51. If you want to go for the 2 GBs the link I gave you has the best price I've seen.
Good luck!

Isight compatibility with OSX 10.8.2?

I have purchased a stand alone isight camera to go with my 2013 mac mini; I've got the 6-9 pin firewire cable and have got the camera to power on and be recognised by the computer (see below), but it simply isn't functioning properly. Images are refreshed every 5 minutes or so? Any suggestions of a solution?
Cheers
Jake
This is what is listed in the firewire device tree.
Model: 0x8
GUID: 0xA270004148B6B
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 200 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x102
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x11
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x12
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
Product Revision Level: 1.0.3

First thing: Possible Hardware or Software Conflicts with iSight.
Chaining external iSight with other Firewire devices on the same Firewire ports often causes function problems. Disconnect all other Firewire devices and restart your Mac while testing your iSight with your mini. (I think your mini has only one FW bus. If that is correct, you may need to disconnect all other FW devices every time you want to use use an external iSight with your mini.)
If your trouble continues when no other FW device are connected, consider these other possibilities:
(1) If the old external iSight you have still works, it should work with the new Mac mini. You can test an external iSight using the suggestions in this link , including Apple's troubleshooting suggestions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
Test more than one Apple camera-enabled app in more than one user account. However, don't use the "Guest" account for testing. If your Mac only has one account, create a new user account for testing.
(2) Although unlikely, it is possible that your Firewire 400-800 cable is not working properly. You can check cable function by trying the cable with a different FW400 device.
If you don't have another FW400 device, get at least one more connector to test for possible connection problems. Any working one of something like those listed here should work to connect your FW400 external iSight:
• This Firewire 400-800 cable can work:
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/HA352ZM/A/ (I use this one.)
• Some users report that this low-priced alternative cable works:
     http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189097
• To use your iSight's FW400 6pin-6pin cable, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter like one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m (I successfully use this one, too.)
(3) Apple discontinued external iSight several years ago.
My external iSights (I have two) are great webcams, but they are getting old (as consumer electronics go.) Both of mine still work as well as they did when they were new. However, some previously owned or even NOS iSights may have been damaged by rough treatment or improper storage.
The only way to know whether any presently available external iSight works properly is to test it using suggestions similar to those I offered above before you buy. If you did not test the external iSight before you bought and now find it will not work properly with your system, perhaps a trusted seller will give you return or exchange privileges.
Otherwise, if you don't want to spend the money to have your external iSight serviced, consider a new, Mac-compatible USB cam that offers a current manufacturer's warranty instead of any external iSight. Some examples of current compatible cams are described at   http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
(4) If you want to look for more ideas, you can search iSight Discussions.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread/3983993 is a good place to start.
(BTW, current FaceTime software versions work with external iSight's mic.)
(5) If you need other suggestions after doing your own searches, we will try to offer more specifics based on the details you supply in your reply here.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.2

ISight Compatibility

Will the apple iSight external webcam work with the mac mini?

If you are certain that your old iSight still works, yes ... if ...
More info, see http://discussions.apple.com/thread/6520683.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.10

ISight compatibility with windows webcam?

GF has an isight camera built into her computer. I own a dell pentium 3 (ram upgraded) and I wanted to know if it's feasible to get a windows webcam to talk with her on her iSight cam? What software and which webcam would be best to do this if it's possible?
thanks in advance,
e

Hi Eddie,
As Defcom says Skype is easier.
For the dedicated.
Trillian or AIM 5.9 on the PC. iChat on the Mac.
Setting up AIM.
Tuning the camera Use Message 570 onwards.
Opening the XP firewall Change the name of the app for Trillian.
More set up instructions at MVLDesign.
12:27 PM Saturday; November 18, 2006

I need help with ISIGHT! I can't get it to work with MSN!

HI,
My issue is this... I have AIM/AOL and I am able to see myself on webcam.. however noone else can unless they HAVE a webcam... My first question is- "DO you have to have a WEBCAM on both ends for both people to see you?" Does the person I am chatting with HAVE to have a webcam to see me? If so WHY? They should atleast be able to see ME if I want them to... Also if they are using windows for PC platform... can they use a pc webcam and still connect with me through my isight although I am on a mac?
My second major ISSUE is.. WHY is the isight only compatible with AOL/AIM? I was told when I bought this it would be compatible with MSN Messenger for windows AND the MAC version... I have both and the isight does not show up on it... CAN ISIGHT be connected to msn messenger for MAC??? PLEASE help me!
I called APPLE tech support and they couldn't even help me! They told me to call Microsoft! Anyhow- one guy did say he was able to get his ISIGHT working with the MSN messenger for MAC platform.. do you have ANY idea how to do that?? The thing is ALL my freinds are on PC's and have MSN messenger..
ALSO- someone on mac rumors told me to look for a guy names RALPH! Said you know A LOT about mac and pc compatibility! PLEASE HELP
Bottom line - I want to use isight with msn so my msn pc friends can share webcam... I also have virtual pc software... is it easier to just get a pc webcam and do it through there? ( i tried that and it didn't work either) i need major TECH SUPPORT!
THANK YOU

Microsoft's Messenger for Mac (MSN) does not support webcams at all.
I have found the best alternative to MSN to be aMSN with macam for the webcam driver (it is a cheap usb webcam). Both are free open source projects. I guess if you use an iSight you will not need macam.
aMSN can be found here: http://amsn.sourceforge.net/
macam can be found here: http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/
The speed is substantially faster and it is far more stable than Mercury in my experience.
The only difficulty is the camera is often shown as being "in use by another application". To counter this I start macam, then plug in the camera (or unplug and plug back in). Then I start aMSN.

Kisight: How do I get my iSight working ? Trouble Shooting an iSight Camera. (Version 3)

Replacement for the second draft of this Thread   (To be removed if Published as Tip)
kisight: How do I get my iSight working ?
Trouble Shooting an iSight Camera. (Version 3)
Hi,     On many subjects Apple has Articles and Documents that can help.
In some case they are written by an Engineer or similar and can miss the mark for the average user.
In other cases they are crafted, detailed responses to an issue that has popped up many times in the Apple Discussions and take the best from many responses in those User-to-User Discussions, creating something that can not be surpassed.
This is the case of the Apple Article HT2090 on Trouble Shooting an iSight.
It lists steps and processes to go through for both Internal iSights and External ones.
However as with most things it does sometime pay to reword things differently so that people grasp the points in language they understand.
The info here is a reworking itself of two pages at ralphjohns.co.uk/EZ Jim pages namely EZ JIm's page 2 Where can I Find Help With My iSight ? and his page 4, How Can I Test My iSight is Completely Functional ? which were written several years ago and predate the Apple Article, being aimed at the External iSight. They have been updated since to address the Internal iSight as well but some of the comments are useful between the two types.
External First. For Internal iSights Start at 2b) (you will need to adjust some options/steps as the Internal is USB)
Steps
1) Pre Purchase
If buying an External iSight you should if you an get to see it in action.Apple no longer sells the External iSight so you will be buying it second hand.If you cannot get to see the device plugged in and working on Mac then check the smaller print of the seller and selling site as to nature of Returns and Faulty Goods.
2) Does it work ?
a) First of all Plug it in. It should come with a suitable mount (although there are variants on this) and a 6 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.
Ideally it should have it's own Firewire port/socket on your computer. Connecting it "DaisyChained" to other devices can be a problem as they do not all use Firewire at the same Data speed.
It will then go through some checks as the OS powers it up and checks it's firmware.
Do not be concerned that the little green indicator light atop your iSight illuminates for a few seconds and then goes dark when you first connect your iSight or power on your Mac. Do not be concerned if you hear a soft whir as iSight attempt to focus either. Both these occurrences are normal. If your iSight passes the following tests, do not worry about this sound or the status of the green light.
There is no ON switch as such. It does have an iris mechanism that can be controlled by the User. The iris should be turned so you can see the Lens for the iSight to send pictures to an application.
b) Pick an Application to see the picture the iSight produces.iChat is one application you can use. Photobooth is another. iMovie (Version 4 or above for external iSight -- Version 6 or above for in-built iSight) and Comic Book (if bundled on your Mac) are yet more.
See this Users Tip for more applications Or this page for yet more.
Photo Booth is probably the simplest as it has no Preferences to choose a camera in the original version and is done from the Menu items in later versions (nor is there any setting in the OS) and Photo Booth will default to the External Camera if one is plugged in before the application is started.     If you see your self or what the camera is pointing at, It Works !!
3) If it does Not Work
a) Check Cables/leads. Re-seat the cable at both ends. DO this carefully as although Firewire cables are keyed to fit the right way it has been known to force them the wrong way.
Try another 6 pin to 6 pin firewire cable.
b) Unplug the cable from any other FireWire device and give the iSight it's Own FireWire port/socket on the Mac (exclude issues with other FireWire devices). It is important that this be a port/socket on your computer and that you know that it works. Do not use a port in a FireWire hub or another FireWire device or a FireWire port in an Apple Display for testing. (Also see d below if you have an 800 FIreWIre Computer)
c) Check System Profiler (Apple Icon menu top Left > About this Mac. > More Info Button)Open the Reveal Triangles to see the list and go to Hardware > FireWire. (Use USB for Internal Cameras)
If it appears here try booting or Logging in as another user on the Mac (Create a Test account if you don't have one) and try item 2b) above again.
d) With FireWire 800 computers you may have to change your FireWire 400 to 800 Adaptor or Cable to get full Audio functionality with Lion Apps
If it is not in the System Profiler you are almost certainly going to need the Trouble Shooting Article from Apple at this point. This Article may also be of help (number HT1317 What to do if your computer won't recognise a FireWire or USB device).
If you have not resolved things at this stage it is going to be time for an Engineer with Apple credentials.There are no user serviceable parts inside any iSight.
Other Items
Audio.
The External Camera has two mics inside.The volume it records at or plays through for iChat is controlled in System Preferences > Sound > Input tab (select device) and this should be set to get the blue response bar to at least half way (preferably three quarters) when you talk.The same applies to any other Mic, even the Internal one on laptops and some other Macs.
Firmware.
The System Profiler as detailed above should tell you the Firmware the iSight has. The current version is 1.0.3 and was updated in Panther. (Essentially it is an Audio compatibility update but does seem to help in other situations)
If your computer is running Panther (10.2.x) then use this Updater
If running Tiger (10.4.x) or Leopard (10.5.x) then navigate manually to your Hard Drive/System/Library/Core Services/iSight Updater and run the updater found there.
If an iSight is Plugged in on the Computer when you do an OS update and the firmware needs updating on the iSight this app is supposed to be triggered but it seem it may need a hand at times.
Focusing on the External iSight
Essentially the External iSight is self or Autofocusing.
If in doubt then try better lighting and strong colours as opposes to light or pastels.
(All built-in iSights are fixed focus. Therefore, unless a built-in iSight lens cover is dirty or smudged, any built-in iSight whose image is blurry needs service by an Engineer with Apple credentials.)
EZ Jim has these more specific recommendations for piece of mind.
Make a cross whose lines are about one-half inch or more wide on a plain background to use as a focus target. (I have even used black electrical tape.)
Turn on plenty of light and hold the target very still at about two or three feet from the lens. Watch iSight focus. (You may need to use a tripod or brace yourself to hold the target still enough.)
Then quickly move the target and hold it very still at about one foot away from the lens. Watch iSight focus.
Finally, move in to about six inches from iSight, and check focus there, too. (Holding the target still is more important as you get closer to iSight.)
This Users Tip by Ian Bickerstaff can give you clues for any application really "Look and sound good in iChat"
Other Info and Links
iSight Support info at Apple Links to Users Guide, Manual and many other topics on the External iSight.
Apple's iSight Firewire Connectivity FAQs
Apple's iSight Service FAQs
If you feel you have not understood or think you have not grasped something here or in the links so far try the iSight Discussion Forum
1:13 PM      Saturday; October 8, 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( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Replacement for the second draft of this Thread   (To be removed if Published as Tip)
kisight: How do I get my iSight working ?
Trouble Shooting an iSight Camera. (Version 3)
Hi,     On many subjects Apple has Articles and Documents that can help.
In some case they are written by an Engineer or similar and can miss the mark for the average user.
In other cases they are crafted, detailed responses to an issue that has popped up many times in the Apple Discussions and take the best from many responses in those User-to-User Discussions, creating something that can not be surpassed.
This is the case of the Apple Article HT2090 on Trouble Shooting an iSight.
It lists steps and processes to go through for both Internal iSights and External ones.
However as with most things it does sometime pay to reword things differently so that people grasp the points in language they understand.
The info here is a reworking itself of two pages at ralphjohns.co.uk/EZ Jim pages namely EZ JIm's page 2 Where can I Find Help With My iSight ? and his page 4, How Can I Test My iSight is Completely Functional ? which were written several years ago and predate the Apple Article, being aimed at the External iSight. They have been updated since to address the Internal iSight as well but some of the comments are useful between the two types.
External First. For Internal iSights Start at 2b) (you will need to adjust some options/steps as the Internal is USB)
Steps
1) Pre Purchase
If buying an External iSight you should if you an get to see it in action.Apple no longer sells the External iSight so you will be buying it second hand.If you cannot get to see the device plugged in and working on Mac then check the smaller print of the seller and selling site as to nature of Returns and Faulty Goods.
2) Does it work ?
a) First of all Plug it in. It should come with a suitable mount (although there are variants on this) and a 6 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.
Ideally it should have it's own Firewire port/socket on your computer. Connecting it "DaisyChained" to other devices can be a problem as they do not all use Firewire at the same Data speed.
It will then go through some checks as the OS powers it up and checks it's firmware.
Do not be concerned that the little green indicator light atop your iSight illuminates for a few seconds and then goes dark when you first connect your iSight or power on your Mac. Do not be concerned if you hear a soft whir as iSight attempt to focus either. Both these occurrences are normal. If your iSight passes the following tests, do not worry about this sound or the status of the green light.
There is no ON switch as such. It does have an iris mechanism that can be controlled by the User. The iris should be turned so you can see the Lens for the iSight to send pictures to an application.
b) Pick an Application to see the picture the iSight produces.iChat is one application you can use. Photobooth is another. iMovie (Version 4 or above for external iSight -- Version 6 or above for in-built iSight) and Comic Book (if bundled on your Mac) are yet more.
See this Users Tip for more applications Or this page for yet more.
Photo Booth is probably the simplest as it has no Preferences to choose a camera in the original version and is done from the Menu items in later versions (nor is there any setting in the OS) and Photo Booth will default to the External Camera if one is plugged in before the application is started.     If you see your self or what the camera is pointing at, It Works !!
3) If it does Not Work
a) Check Cables/leads. Re-seat the cable at both ends. DO this carefully as although Firewire cables are keyed to fit the right way it has been known to force them the wrong way.
Try another 6 pin to 6 pin firewire cable.
b) Unplug the cable from any other FireWire device and give the iSight it's Own FireWire port/socket on the Mac (exclude issues with other FireWire devices). It is important that this be a port/socket on your computer and that you know that it works. Do not use a port in a FireWire hub or another FireWire device or a FireWire port in an Apple Display for testing. (Also see d below if you have an 800 FIreWIre Computer)
c) Check System Profiler (Apple Icon menu top Left > About this Mac. > More Info Button)Open the Reveal Triangles to see the list and go to Hardware > FireWire. (Use USB for Internal Cameras)
If it appears here try booting or Logging in as another user on the Mac (Create a Test account if you don't have one) and try item 2b) above again.
d) With FireWire 800 computers you may have to change your FireWire 400 to 800 Adaptor or Cable to get full Audio functionality with Lion Apps
If it is not in the System Profiler you are almost certainly going to need the Trouble Shooting Article from Apple at this point. This Article may also be of help (number HT1317 What to do if your computer won't recognise a FireWire or USB device).
If you have not resolved things at this stage it is going to be time for an Engineer with Apple credentials.There are no user serviceable parts inside any iSight.
Other Items
Audio.
The External Camera has two mics inside.The volume it records at or plays through for iChat is controlled in System Preferences > Sound > Input tab (select device) and this should be set to get the blue response bar to at least half way (preferably three quarters) when you talk.The same applies to any other Mic, even the Internal one on laptops and some other Macs.
Firmware.
The System Profiler as detailed above should tell you the Firmware the iSight has. The current version is 1.0.3 and was updated in Panther. (Essentially it is an Audio compatibility update but does seem to help in other situations)
If your computer is running Panther (10.2.x) then use this Updater
If running Tiger (10.4.x) or Leopard (10.5.x) then navigate manually to your Hard Drive/System/Library/Core Services/iSight Updater and run the updater found there.
If an iSight is Plugged in on the Computer when you do an OS update and the firmware needs updating on the iSight this app is supposed to be triggered but it seem it may need a hand at times.
Focusing on the External iSight
Essentially the External iSight is self or Autofocusing.
If in doubt then try better lighting and strong colours as opposes to light or pastels.
(All built-in iSights are fixed focus. Therefore, unless a built-in iSight lens cover is dirty or smudged, any built-in iSight whose image is blurry needs service by an Engineer with Apple credentials.)
EZ Jim has these more specific recommendations for piece of mind.
Make a cross whose lines are about one-half inch or more wide on a plain background to use as a focus target. (I have even used black electrical tape.)
Turn on plenty of light and hold the target very still at about two or three feet from the lens. Watch iSight focus. (You may need to use a tripod or brace yourself to hold the target still enough.)
Then quickly move the target and hold it very still at about one foot away from the lens. Watch iSight focus.
Finally, move in to about six inches from iSight, and check focus there, too. (Holding the target still is more important as you get closer to iSight.)
This Users Tip by Ian Bickerstaff can give you clues for any application really "Look and sound good in iChat"
Other Info and Links
iSight Support info at Apple Links to Users Guide, Manual and many other topics on the External iSight.
Apple's iSight Firewire Connectivity FAQs
Apple's iSight Service FAQs
If you feel you have not understood or think you have not grasped something here or in the links so far try the iSight Discussion Forum
1:13 PM      Saturday; October 8, 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( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

ISight PC compatibility

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