Maximum FPS recording with built-in iSight on Macbook Pro

Does anyone know if the built-in iSight on the Macbook Pro has a limit on the recording frames per second? I'm trying to make record some clips using iMovie, but it only records at 15 fps. I tried Quicktime Broadcaster with settings at 29.97 fps, but only got slightly better (17 fps). Do I NEED QuickTime Pro in order to record at 30 fps (29.97) or is this a hardware limitation?
Thanks in advance!
J

Welcome to Apple Discussions, itjaslee
Until you hear from some MacBook users, here are two things you can try:(0) Best video quality requires much more light that what I (and most others) consider normal room light. Try using much brighter lighting.
As explained in this Apple kBase article, iSight switches to 15 frames-per-second to improve picture quality in what it considers "low-light conditions."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93235
This Apple kBase article gives you some more particulars about best types of lighting, etc.:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93273
Both were written for the external iSight, but the same tips may help you.
(1) Best video quality requires lots of disk space and processor power. Your MacBook Pro has a very powerful processor, but any processor can be overloaded by the user.
Almost all external drives will be slower than your Mac's internal drive. Record direct to your internal (startup) drive. If your internal drive has less than 10 GB available, free up some space. OS X slows down when your drive gets too full.
If you have more than one applications running when you notice your problem, restart you Mac, launch only the application you are using to record, and check your frame rate again.If you need to post back for other suggestions, you might confirm that:
(a) your 15 fps is the actual recording speed versus the playback speed on your Mac.
(b) you have set the QT Broadcaster settings to 30 fps. To change the QTB frame rate, click the "Video" tab and check the box for "Enable Video Stream." Then set the frame rate and disable the video stream to make your recording.
(c) you have set iMovie HD's default frame rate per this help instruction:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/HD/en/im172.html
Jim
G4 PB 1.67 GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.9)    G5 DP 1.8  External iSight

Similar Messages

  • Recording with Built-in iSight

    The reason I bought I didn't buy a laptop is because there were no laptops with built-in iSight back in the day. And now I want to make use of this by recording into iMovie. BUT now they tell me that I can't do that with my version of iMovie, when they specifically told me I could "record video on my computer" when I was buying it. I'm prettty mad so I was wondering if anyone can help me. I believe I have iLife '05...
    Thanks a ton..
    iMac G5 (iSight) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

    To use the built-in iSight included with some Macintosh models, you need to have iMovie HD 6 or later.
    You may find this useful:
    Importing from an iSight camera or other webcam
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304158#two

  • Built-in iSight for MacBook Pro OS X 10.4.11 Not working

    This was working before, and all of a sudden it won't work! I can see it in the system profiler under USB, but in PhotoBooth it comes up as a green screen and in applications like Skype and iChat I just get a black screen (or once it showed that I did not have any video connected). All of my software is up to date, I have restarted a dozen times, I tried to take the battery out, but nothing works!
    Let me know if anyone can help!

    Hello MOVA
    Thanks for that new info.
    If you have not installed any new hardware since your Mac worked correctly, it is possible that your problem may be hardware related. However, here are a few other ideas that you can try before you take your Mac to an Apple Technician for service.
    To avoid possible conflicts while you do your testing, disconnect all unnecessary peripherals, restart your Mac, and make sure you do not have any running "Login Items" that might conflict with iSight apps.
    (1) It is worth trying another account. Use System Preferences to create a new account and test there. It will not take long and, if a new account corrects your problem, it is a much simpler remedy than some other possibilities.
    (2) It sounds like you have followed the suggestions in the Troubleshooting link for the reset. If you are not CERTAIN, repeat the process to be sure.
    (3) Some iNtel Mac laptop users have reported success after unplugging their Macs and leaving the battery out for half-an-hour to overnight. You might want to try disconnecting EVERYTHING, including both power and peripherals, for a few hours to see if it help you.
    (4) If someone might have removed the QuickTime file shown in MacOS X Hints article to purposely disable your built-in iSight, you will need to restore the file to its correct location in order for your built-in iSight (or any other USB camera) to work.
    (5) Apply the 10.4.11 Combo Updater. Use the following method:
    • Backup your Home Folder, or at very least, your important files.
    • Repair permissions. (Click here if you need help.)
    • Then download and apply the Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo Update (Intel).
    • Finish with another Permissions Repair, and then check your iSight again.
    Users have reported fixes to a variety of audio, video, connectivity, and software conflicts and unreliability issues after properly applying Combo Updates.
    We will watch for your status update (and, hopefully, your notice of success.)
    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

  • Wide angle lens for Built-In iSight? (MacBook Pro)

    Hi,
    I'm looking to use my MacBook Pro for a video conference, but the angle of the lens is so limited.
    Are there any lenses you can put over the built-in camera that allow for a wider angle?
    Right now, everyone has to sit one on top of another to be seen by the speaker. I would like to be able to create a little bit of a semi-circle so participants can see eachother while also seeing the speaker.
    Any help? Anyone heard of anything?
    I can imagine even a convex piece of plastic over the camera might do the trick. Don't know, but doesn't seem impossible. Even if there's mild distortion in the picture, the bigger view would be worth it.
    Not really looking for a fish-eye, but more a wide angle or something that gives a bit more of a panorama effect.
    Thanks.

    Hello andintroducing
    One disadvantage of the built-in iSight is its lack of any easy way to mount accessory lenses like those that can be used with an external iSight equipped with this Kaidan iSight Accessory Kit. This kit includes a threaded lens adapter ring that can be used to mount a 37-mm auxiliary wide-angle lens. The adapter ring can also be purchased separately.
    On occasions when you need a wider field of view than your built-in iSight offers, other than rigging some wide-angle auxiliary lens to your MBP, the best I can suggest is to consider a second webcam that has a wide-angle lens. I have tested with a MacBook user who was comparing video from his built-in iSight with a QuickCam® Fusion™. The external camera offered a much wider field of view, and the video quality was fine. If you consider this alternative, I suggest you take your MBP with you when you shop. Doing so will let you "try-before-you-buy" so you can be certain whether the webcam is wide enough for your needs.
    If you do not want to use a second camera, you can buy a wide-angle auxiliary lens for a camcorder and mount it in front of your built-in iSight.
    Depending on your ingenuity and skills, you might want to mount the auxiliary lens with some kind of hanging mount like bent wire that would hold the lens in front of your iSight. Another simple method would be some kind of adhesive like double-sided tape or TAC Adhesive Putty.
    Neither of these mounts would be very stable, esthetically pleasing, or permanent, but they could provide a quick, easy test to determine whether it would be worth the time and cost to develop a more elegant solution.
    If you do try some of these suggestions, please post back your results. Whether you find what works or what does not, your information will be helpful to those who have the same need.
    Cheers,
    Jim
      Mac OS X (10.4.9)    G5 DP 1.8  External iSight

  • Built-in iSight in Macbook Pro 4,1 not recognized.

    Hi, just noticed iSight stopped working after trying Photo Booth days ago. I used before some months ago, so I cannot say for sure when stopped working. At first looking for in forums and Apple support pages, I tried reseting NVRAM and SMC controller twice and installed a clean OS in a different partition (Snow Leopard), but the problem occurs in Lion 10.7.2 as well.
    At boot time, the Console log OS X trying to enumerate a bus but giving up later.
    12/25/11 11:53:08.000 AM kernel: USBF:          0.612          [0xffffff800fe53c00] The IOUSBFamily is having trouble enumerating a USB device that has been plugged in.  It will keep retrying.  (Port 4 of Hub at 0xfd000000)
    At boot time, the Console log OS X trying to enumerate a bus but giving up later.
    12/25/11 11:53:08.000 AM kernel: USBF:          3.605          [0xffffff800fe53c00] The IOUSBFamily was not able to enumerate a device.
    System Information/Profiler won't say there is an USB device recognized like sample bellow:
    Previous I had this working as:
    I suspect of a hardware problem but I am not sure if this is iSight component/part or logic board problem (maybe in USB controller). Have anyone seem this before and repaired or had a Mac serviced? I would like to try replacing iSight with a new part in after market before looking for replacing a logic board? Laptop is almost 4 years old so not valid Apple Care anymore. I can try getting both parts but cleared wanted try the iSight first as it costs about $30 plus shiping. Getting a new logic board is a way more expensive as I have to pay import duties to Brazil almost doubling the sale price. AASP probably charges $1800 to repair the laptop, mostly because of the expensive price to import a logic board.  Weigthing my options considering machine age and fix costs.
    Also, I have no tried running Boot Camp (which I don't have installed) to see if get it to work somehow.
    Thanks!

    Hi,
    A Possible.
    There used to be a document on resetting the Firewire ports.
    Basically this involves shutting down the computer for 15 minutes with all the firewire devices disconnected.
    For Laptops the Power card should also be removed.
    The process allows for the numbering process to discharge so that the current numbering is lost.
    All devices then get renumbered when they are reconnected.
    It has never been that clear as to whether this also works for USB ports.
    However it may be worth a try and it does not cost anything.
    8:59 PM      Thursday; December 29, 2011
    Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
      iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
    "Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

  • Recording with a mic in garageband (macbook pro)

    I used to plug a mic into an adapter, then into my old macbook's input jack. However, my new macbook pro doesn't have a spot for the same jack. Will I need a new adapter? If so what kind and where does it plug in?

    Under sound settings and input I have it set to "Line in", and under audio in I have it set to "sound input" When I switch it to "sound output" whatever music I'm listening to comes out of the mic, so I know the mic isn't the issue, but still no audio going in.

  • Can u use a USB webcam on an iMac with built-in isight for Yahoo Messenge?

    Hi...I hope someone can shed some light on this.
    I have an intel core duo iMac 20 with built-in isight.
    I use Yahoo Messenger (the new version) and have no problems getting my isight to work with it.
    For most circumstances, the built-in isight is fine... but sometimes having a camera with a zoom feature and the ability to pan further up or down would be most beneficial.
    I also own a usb Logitech (pro-4000) webcam (the last series for which they have Mac support) and have installed the latest Mac drivers for it. I can get the Logitec to run its built-in applications, but when I try to select a webcam to use for Yahoo (in the yahoo preferences webcam section), the only selection available to me is the built-in isight.
    Is there any way to get the option to choose between the Logitech and the isight?
    I tried macam drivers, but that just gave me an application that allowed me to record video or snap pics from my Quickcam, Yahoo Messenger still does not recognize it as a source.

    http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/
    macam driver and macam component installation resolves this issue

  • First iMacs with built-in iSight

    I got one of the first iMacs with built in iSight. When I got it, the documentation said that I could not use the built-in iSight to record directly into iMovie.
    I CANNOT choose iSight from the import options, but if I have a DV camera plugged up to import and turn it off, it automatically switches to the iSight and the Import button switches to Record from iSight. It actually works as well.
    Did I automatically install an update that allowed this? I like it, I just don't know when it happened.

    Anyone know how to turn off isight so Imovie will only see the DV camrea /VTR deck? I've got a school setup for Imovie editing and to capture footage from the DV tape deck, but Imovie just keeps wanting to select the Isight Cam and i see no way of telling it what to connect to!!
    Imac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  
    Imac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

  • Using a different webcam with Intel iMac with built-in isight cam.

    Hi...I hope someone can shed some light on this.
    I have an intel core duo iMac 20 with built-in isight.
    I use Yahoo Messenger (the new version) and have no problems getting my isight to work with it.
    For most circumstances, the built-in isight is fine... but sometimes having a camera with a zoom feature and the ability to pan further up or down would be most beneficial.
    I also own a usb Logitech (pro-4000) webcam (the last series for which they have Mac support) and have installed the latest Mac drivers for it. I can get the Logitec to run its built-in applications, but when I try to select a webcam to use for Yahoo (in the yahoo preferences webcam section), the only selection available to me is the built-in isight.
    Is there any way to get the option to choose between the Logitech and the isight?
    Thanks for any help you can give me...
    Intel Core Duo iMac 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   2GHz/2GB 256VRAM

    http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/
    macam driver and macam component installation resolves this issue

  • 20" Monitor with (Built-in iSight?)

    As soon as Apple updates the 20" monitor with built-in iSight I will be buying one and connecting my Macbook, then retiring my iMac iSight to my wife. Hurry up Apple with the upgrade.
    Now for the technical question:
    If Apple indeed adds iSight to it's line of monitors and since all the new computers Apple is building these days already have iSight built-in will my dream configuration work.
    I know the external iSight works when connected, however there are minor glitches when shutting down, sleeping....

    dig a little deeper next time
    D/FW, there nothing to dig for. You're asking for functionality and behaviour of a product that does not exist. You're better off speculating in a rumours forum.

  • USB Webcam on Macbook with built-in Isight?

    Has anyone been able to use an external webcam via USB on a Macbook with built-in iSight?
    This should be very straight-forward, but it's not working for me. Is it possible? Thanks.

    I have an older logitech 3000 and have been able to get it to work with 3rd party software such as macam and btvpro, but can't use it for Yahoo Messenger or similar programs. It won't work with photobooth either.

  • Can I use an iMac G5 (with built-in iSight) with an external iSight as well

    I like the built-in iSight for chat and video conferencing but I need to use an external webcam for capturing objects.
    Can I use an external iSight with my iMac with built-in iSight?

    Yes

  • Very dark picture with built-in iSight

    Hi,
    with my 3 month old intel iMac it seems that the picture I get with the built-in iSight is much darker than with my previous white iMac G5 with built-in iSight.
    My new iMac sits in the very same place as my previous iMac G5, yet the picture quality in terms of brightness is only mediocre.
    Is there a way for me to adjust the settings for my iSight?
    Has anybody else noticed this? Could it be a hardware problem?
    Thank you,
    Torsten

    Have you closed and opened Photo Booth? This is often all that is required.
    This also can help:
    Open the iChat application>video preview. If it is dark as well select:
    iChat>change my picture>take a snap shot. Close iChat and open Photo Booth.
    I haven't found the sniper solution yet, it doesn't happen very often.

  • Please can someone help,my in built camera on my Macbook Pro is not working what can i do to activate it back.

    Please can somone help my in built cameral on my MacBook Pro is not working, the green light does not show again and the camera is not working . what can i do to active it back.
    Semako

    Yuu can try to reactivate your iSight camera by opening up iMessage.. navigate to Preferences/Audio Video,and then click on Camera. IT shoudl be grayed-out if you only have one camera hooked up to your machine. If you have an external camera, then disconnect it from your machine. 

  • How to make pictures by the built-in camera of MacBook  Pro?

    I don't succeed in making pictures with the built-in camera of  MacBook Pro.
    Neither the program i-Photo can be downloaded.
    Both items worked perfect when I bought the laptop  a couple of years ago.
    What went wrong?

    You can take pictures with "PhotoBooth".
    You can use all kind of picture effects as well.

Maybe you are looking for