ISight with iMovie

I'm trying to use the built-in camera (iSight) with iMovie. I get a message to connect a camera. But I want to use the built-i camera.
I have used it in the past, but then I had to do a re-install and after that I cannot connect to the camera. Can anybody help me, please?

What about re-installing iMovie/iLife again? Please tell me how to do that again...
You may find some instructions in this direct download Leopard Installation and Setup Guide
Or post in the iMovie forums for custom installation instructions.

Similar Messages

  • ISight with iMovie HD

    i posted this and response was to post here: sorry, but trying to figure this out NOW!....on my second eggnog .....thanks!
    iSight with iMovie HD
    Posted: Dec 20, 2006 1:57 PM
    Reply Email
    this is my first attempt at using iMovie-and i iSight camera>search: here's what it sez>
    You can capture live video with your built-in iSight camera and import it directly into iMovie HD.
    To capture live video with a built-in iSight camera:
    1. Open iMovie HD by clicking its icon in the Dock (or choosing Applications > iMovie HD).
    2. Click the mode switch to set iMovie HD to built-in camera mode.
    3. Click the camera icon to the left of the mode switch and choose Built-in iSight from the pop-up menu.
    4. Click the “Record With iSight” button in the iMovie monitor to begin recording. The video you see in the iMovie monitor is recorded as a clip in the iMovie Clips pane.
    5. Click the “Record With iSight” button again to stop recording.
    You can record video as long as your iMac has enough disk space to store it.
    well, the first problem is >2. what are my options after clicking Dock icon:
    create a New Project (never had one)
    Open an existing (again,never had one)
    Make a Magic iMovie >>now that's interesting,but what the hey is it? Directions didn't mention this?
    what should i do: Magic or New ??
    So i'll choose Open New...name it "taDec"
    Problems Immediately!!> gotta create and store> oh my...but i get a screen/window named "taDec" > ((frig the spellin' !!))
    where's the "mode switch"?>>there isn't a "mode switch"> nor is there in "the menu"...?
    there is nothing about "i Sight camera" anywhere....so it can't be chosen....
    yeah, i'm still searchin'......trying to make a video of me with a friggin tooth ache trying to use "HELP"!((and this 'Forum'> note this, i'm takin' 6 asperin and a large vodka Egg Nog! > it better get better!!
    (this 'Earthmouse' is starting to act weirdlhy too.....(-:
    m

    Create a New Project (of course you haven't had one it's new!) and choose a location to save it to.
    Throw the Mode Switch from the scissors (Edit Mode) towards the left where the picture of camera is (Capture/Import Mode).
    (As you can see I don't have an iSight attached)HTH
    mrtotes

  • Using external firewire iSight with iMovie 8

    I'm trying to use my old external iSight camera that I purchased for my old powerbook with iMovie, but only the internal iSight camera is showing in the drop down menu.
    When I plug in my external iSight camera it will make the lens adjusting noise and the light will come up briefly.
    Is there any way I can get that external iSight camera to work with iMovie 8?

    You're welcome, adamrod
    ... My computer is not recognizing the external iSight camera ... I know the iSight works because I tested it on my old G4.
    If you mean that TODAY your iSight works with one of your Macs but not the other, the problem is in your newer Mac, its Firewire or Firewire port connection, or the cable you are using with it.
    A properly working iSight will be recognized as a Firewire device as shown in this image:
    If your test with your old G4 was long ago, your iSight may have failed since last you used it. In addition to the Apple iSight troubleshooting link I posted earlier, you can use the additional suggestions in this link to test the current functionality of your external iSight:
      http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
    One of those suggestions will get a faulty external iSight working unless it is beyond repair.
    The only app I know to try it with would be iChat and I don't even see anywhere in the preferences where you could change it from built-in iSight to external.
    The camera choices bar will show ONLY if more than one working, iChat-compatible, camera is connected. If the choice does not show, iChat is not recognizing more than one working camera.
    Different apps use different methods of camera selection.  In iChat, you can choose which iSight you use in the "Camera:" choices bar in iChat > Preferences... > Audio/Video that appears when more than one (working) 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. You already know that iMovie 7's camera choice is NOT set via Preferences. When you have more than one (working) compatible camera connected, iMovie uses the drop-down menu choice in the camera "Preview" window that I mentioned in my previous post to you.
    For apps other than those above, see their Help or other documentation if you need help with selecting which camera the app will use.
    When I plug the iSight the light comes on briefly, goes off and then it makes an auto adjusting noise.
    This is normal behavior for external iSight.
    What does your external iSight do when you plug it in?
    The same thing you describe for yours.
    Does the light stay on constantly?
    Only when the iSight is actually in use. Otherwise, the light goes out on an external iSight that is working correctly but in standby mode.
    The light should NOT be illuminated when no apps that can use iSight are running. Likewise, the iSight green lamp should extinguish when iSight is not actually being used by an app. Specific examples:
                      iChat connected but not in chat: *iSight light OFF*
                   iChat connected and in video chat: *iSight light ON*
    iChat > Video > Video Preview w/iSight shutter open: *iSight light ON*
          iMovie open but no capture Preview window open: *iSight light OFF*
    iMovie Preview window open (whether capturing or not): *iSight light ON*
    Because the light is merely an indicator that iSight is in use rather than any kind of functional necessity, whether the iSight light is on or off has never been of any serious concern to me.
    Is there any other app I should try it with?
    You can use any you like. There are suggestions in the Apple Troubleshooting link listed earlier, and there are more in this list:
      http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage7.html
    EZ Jim
    G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.8) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)   iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight

  • When I try to use iSight with iMovie and it says no camera available in iMovie '08

    iSight won't connect in iMovie... HELP! I found an article regarding the issue but I think the version of iMovie was different than what I have because it really did me no good.  

    Here are my suggestions for your iMovie '08 problem.
    One of them will resolve your trouble.  Try them in
    any order you like, testing camera function after
    each one until you have found the one that worked.
    •  If you have not already done so, restart Mac and
        try again.  A simple restart often clears up minor
        issues, including yours.
    • I am using iMovie '11 with no problems.  Some
       problems have been reported with the iMovie 9.06. 
       However, I can't find compatibility info for ver 8. 
       If possible, consider updating to this latest iMovie:
        http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/
    • Try Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
       suggestions. The specific "reset" procedure suggested
       there for your particular MBP model often restores normal function.
    (Apple has changed the built-in camera's name on newer Macs from "iSight" to "FaceTime" and then to "FaceTime HD."  Regardless of the name of your built-in camera, the same info and troubleshooting applies.)
    • Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions and then
       download and apply the latest Combo Update, for your Mac OS,
       the current one is at: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1581
        (yes, use this Combo even though you are already running 10.8.2)
    Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart that completes the Combo update.   Then check whether your Mac's  > Software Update... menu command tell you that other updates are needed.  If so, apply them and finish with another permissions repair.
    • If you still have problems after properly applying the Combo,
       try OS X's Recovery feature http://www.apple.com/macosx/recovery/ 
       to repair your hard drive or, if all else fails, reinstall a fresh copy of OS X.
    • Properly applying the latest Combo update or repairing or
       reinstalling OS X can usually correct software problems. 
       However, if your trouble is caused by a hardware problem,
       there are no user serviceable parts of your webcam. 
       For hardware help, contact an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
    Message was edited by: EZ Jim
    Mac OSX 10.8.2

  • Built in iSight won't communicate with iMovie

    I can't get iMovie to communicate with the built in iSight camera on my Mac Book Pro. The only option showing when clicking on the camera icon is time lapse. Any suggestions?
    How do you capture video through QuickTime Pro?

    ... iMovie ... with the built in iSight camera on my Mac Book Pro ... Any suggestions?
    Using iSight with iMovie
    How do you capture video through QuickTime Pro?
    QuickTime Player 7.0 Help: Recording Audio and VIdeo

  • Isight in imovie

    hi! probably a dumb question but i really am no techie and i tried to look for it in the tutorials but i couldn't find it.
    i'd like to record a simple video blog on imovie hd using my built in isight. how do i go about doing this? i have no idea where to click :S

    Do you have iChat AV on your computer?
    Taken from iMovie Help:
    "Capturing live video from an iSight camera
    You can capture live video from your iSight camera directly into iMovie HD.
    IMPORTANT: To use iSight with iMovie HD, you must have iChat AV on your computer. If you can't use iChat AV, then you can't use IIDC cameras such as iSight with iMovie HD.
    To capture live video from an iSight camera:
    Open the privacy shutter on your iSight.
    Click the mode switch to set iMovie HD to camera mode (shown above).
    Click the camera icon to the left of the mode switch and choose iSight from the pop-up menu.
    Click the Record With iSight button at the bottom of the iMovie monitor.
    The video you see in the iMovie monitor is recorded as a clip in the Clips pane.
    Click Record With iSight again to stop recording.
    You can record video as long as you have enough disk space to hold it."
    I also noticed that you are not at 10.4.9, that may have something to do with it.
    Steve

  • Capturing video with iMovie?

    How can I capture video with the built in iSight in my mac book pro with iMovie?
    Thanks.

    Hi Mark:
    Using iSight with iMovie
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61929
    Sue

  • External isight camera with imovie on maverick?

    Can someone please recommend an external iSight (or other) Camera to use which can record video directly into  iMove on Maverick?
    When trying to import a video, a drop down window shows the built-in iSight camera, as if options could possibly be available.  If so, what might they be?
    Thanks for any and all help!

    You're welcome, Bill.
    Bill Cruise wrote: ... camera ... compatible with iMovie ...
    Use built-in iSight camera or a tape-based camera or camcorder: iMovie '11: Record video directly into iMovie.
    If you have access to an old tape-based mini-DV camcorder with Firewire connection capability, you can use it. For example, my old Sony DCR-TRV17 and DCR-TRV70 camcorders work great with iMovie, both for import and, when connected via Firewire cable, for recording directly into iMovie.  Both give better resolution than my old external Firewire iSights, and the camcorders offer the possibility of manual focus and zoom controls when needed.
    As an alternative to recording directly into iMovie, record video and save movie files using QuickTimeX and a camera built into your Apple display or Mac, a DV camera connected via FireWire, and some USB webcams.  Then Import the movie files into iMovie for editing.
    Bill Cruise wrote: ... Apple iSight camera ... is no longer sold or supported by Apple... I may go ahead and buy one...
    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 (new, old stock) iSights may have been damaged by rough treatment or improper storage.
    An honest seller may offer you return or exchange privileges.  If not, and if you don't want to spend the money to have your external iSight serviced, consider a new, Mac-compatible USB cam instead.
    A new cam will include a current manufacturer's warranty, and a USB cam is not subject to the possible conflicts that can cause difficulties with the old Firewire-connected iSights.
    Bill Cruise wrote:...Wonder why this info is so far to find? ...
    It should not be.  Let us know the specifics, and we will try to guide you to any other info you still need.
    Bill Cruise wrote: ... better alternatives...using external cameras, and then importing the movie....works, but seems like quite a bit of extra hassle versus direct input to iMovie.
    When your Mac recognizes more than one connected compatible camera, the others will also show in your a drop down window that shows the built-in iSight camera.  
    In fact the best alternative I have found for recording directly into iMovie is to use the built-in iSight camera in my MacBook Pros and my Apple LED Display. The resolution of any of these built-ins is better than the 640x480 of the old external Firewire iSights.  The built-ins are also higher resolution than my old Sony camcorders.
    As for your "extra hassle" comments, once you try using QuickTimeX and importing into iMovie, I doubt that you will find it a problem unless recording video is your primary use of your Mac.  It is very easy to do, and you can use the QuickTime file as a good backup for your original source material that is easy to offload to a different disk for safekeeping.

  • My built in isight isn't working with imovie!!

    hello,
    i have the black macbook, and i was trying to use the built-in isight on imovie although it does allow me to do so, in fact it's not even found, when i search for the option, please reply with help it will be greatly appreciated

    When you open a new project in iMovie, and click on the little camera ikon, you should get a drop-down menu of the options open to you.
    iSight is one of them.

  • New iMac w iSight won't record with iMovie

    I got a new iMac G5 w a built in iSight, but I can't record video with the camera. Every time I try to record with iMovie, it doesn't recognize the built in camera and it always comes up as "no camera attached." How do I record video?

    This is the same topic as another thread started today. Quicktime Pro does record from the built-in iSight as does EchoFX's USBVision. Several people have submitted to Apple an iMovieHD feature request to enable direct capture from the built-in iSight. Maybe Apple will offer that in a future iMovie update.

  • Using External iSight camera instead of built-in with iMovie

    I have a MacBook Pro with built in iSight as well as an external iSight camera. I want to shoot some instructional knitting videos with the external camera, holding it over the shoulder of the knitting instructor while she discusses what she is doing. When I go to iMovie, I only see the option of using my built-in iSight. How can I work around this and use the external camera? Thanks for your help with this!

    Judith Augustine1 wrote:
    I have a MacBook Pro with built in iSight as well as an external iSight camera. I want to shoot some instructional knitting videos with the external camera, holding it over the shoulder of the knitting instructor while she discusses what she is doing. When I go to iMovie, I only see the option of using my built-in iSight. How can I work around this and use the external camera? Thanks for your help with this!
    Welcome to Discussions,
    Your external iSight must be connected and turned on before it can work with iMovie.
    You can test whether your external iSight is working by using the suggestions here:
      http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
    When your external iSight is working, you can select it as explained in this iMovie Help article:
      http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/8.0/en/10172.html
    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!  iSight Not Working with iMovie!

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

    You're welcome, -John
    If you are following the directions in this Apple article
      http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh2329.html,
    your iSight should be working.
    If you have added any hardware or software since iMovie worked correctly for you, first rule out any Possible conflicts with your iSight.
    If your problem is ONLY with iMovie, try this:
    • Quit iMovie if it is open.
    • Delete your iMovie preferences file:
     Finder > Go > Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.iMovie.plist
    • If they exist, also delete any other "com.apple.iMovie" files that end in ".plist" in this folder, or example, "com.apple.iMovie2.plist" and / or "com.apple.iMovie3.plist".
    • Close those folders and launch iMovie again to check for proper functioning.
    • When you get iMovie working again after tossing your old .plist files, you will need to reset all preferences that you want to be different from the default values.
    If you cannot make your iSight does not work in any app or in any User Account, you will need the help of an Apple Service Provider Technician to repair your iSight.
    If only iMovie gives you trouble, even after dumping the iMovie preferences, I suggest you reinstall the iMovie application.
    EZ Jim
    PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.10) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5)  External iSight

  • Integral iSight not compatible with iMovie

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

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

  • Isight is interfering with imovie

    Using iMovie 6 on a new Mac, whenever a digital movie is connected, iMovie will not recognize the camera. It only seems to want to allow importing from iSight. It seems that iSight is blocking the camera? Is there a way to disable iSight and/or allow the camera to be recognized? Thanks.

    Thanks for the reply, Whits
    I believe that your clear response will help focus on the fix you need.
    Tried today to disable isight...
    Get your current problems corrected. You do not need to disable your built-in iSight to allow a camcorder to work with iMovie HD 6.
    However, having already disabled iSight, I expect you used some method like the one described here:
    http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070323094959262
    On any OS X Mac, unless you are a Unix expert, be very careful about moving, deleting, or renaming any files or folders outside your ~/Documents/ folder. Don't try any such changes without specific instructions from someone who KNOWS what can be done without causing problems.
    Exactly --doesn't show up in camera choices ...
    If "camera choices" means your DV camera is not listed at all in the drop-down, the link Sue offers above should help you. Have you considered every suggestion from there that is applicable to your system?
    Please let us know how it goes. If you need to post back for more suggestions, it may help if you post the brand and model of your DV camcorder and tell us whether you have any other Firewire or AV devices connected while you are trying to use your camcorder.
    We will watch for your status report.
    Jim 
      Mac OS X (10.4.9)    G5 DP 1.8  External iSight

  • I want to record 5+ hours with iSight in iMovie'08

    I am trying to record my dog while I'm at work using my iSight in iMovie '08. The only problem is that when I come home to playback what's been recorded, it's only recorded approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Is there any way I can make it record for the entire 5 hours that I am away? Thanks!

    Welcome to Discussions, Fran.
    Some suggestions for your consideration:
    (1) As a dog lover, my best suggestion is that you take pooch to work or change jobs to a place that allows it. Being a pack animal, puppy will miss you HORRIBLY while you are away unless there is some other part of the "pack" there.
    (2) iMovie should work if you have space. However, digital video takes a LOT of space (220 Mb/minute!), so a lack of free space will cause problems for you.  To work properly, OS X also needs additional free space beyond that required for file storage. For "5+ hours" of recording with iMovie, check to be sure that you have about 100 Gb of available space on your hard disk.
    If space is a problem and you cannot delete enough of your files for sufficient room, you might consider storing or moving your video library to an external hard disk.
    (3) Also, to reduce processor load for capture and recording, quit all other apps before starting your iMovie session. Do anything else you can to reduce processor and disk workload while you record, too.&ensp.For instance, if you use wireless, turn off your Airport card.
    (4) Be sure your Mac is running at its peak. Your system info shows that you are still using Mac OS X (10.5.3). Unless there is compelling reason to the contrary, you should update to the latest version of Leopard. If you do not want to upgrade to Snow Leopard, use 10.5.8.
    If you upgrade to 10.6, follow its instructions. Otherwise, I suggest the following method for updating your OS:
    First, use Disk Utility to repair permissions.  Then download and apply the 10.5.8 COMBO update:
      http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate
    Repair permissions IMMEDIATELY again after the restart that finishes the installation.
    (5) One other alternative is to try a different application for your video recording. Although many apps can record movie or video clip, I usually use QuickTime Pro. QT Pro is easy to use, and it has a Preferences... > Recoding setting that allows you to change the recording quality to capture smaller files. These smaller video streams might work better for the long duration recording you want.
    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

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