My built-in iSight won't work in iChat.

When I try to video conference in iChat with my built-in iSight, under preferences-audio/video, it says "this computer does not support video conferencing". I have done it before and it has worked fine each time. When I tried to do it recently this appears.
The iSight green light is on during this time, and it works with my other apps (photo booth, iMovie). I have tried reinstalling iChat and I still get the same response and result. Any ideas?

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How to I get the built-in iSight camera to work?

My built-in iSight camera is working but the "capture" button is greyed out and I can't record.

Hi there,
You may want to take a look at some for the troubleshooting steps found in the article below, specifically the section titled "Built-in iSight cameras"
How to Troubleshoot iSight
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2090
Hope that helps,
Griff W.

Isight is not working on ichat and skype, however will work on photo booth and imovie.

My isight will not work on ichat or skype, saying that there is no camera connected. isight will work in photo booth and imovie. It shows up in the system profiler. Have tried resetting SMC. Help?

(1) Here is how I would proceed to isolate the underlying problem that requires corrective action.
• Shut down everything.
• Then restart modem and allow its self-test to complete.
• Then restart router or wireless access point (if you have them) and allow self-test to complete.
• Then restart Mac.
• Use  > Software Update... (Update your Apple software if not current.)
• Then test Photo Booth or iMovie with no other apps else running to ensure they still work.
• Then quit your test app and try iChat with no other apps else running.
• If iChat works, quit iChat and try Skype with no other apps else running.
(2) If iChat works but Skype does not,
• Verify that you are using the latest version of Skype that is compatible with your OS X (10.5.8) Mac.
• Update if necessary.
• Then test Skype again with no other apps else running.
• If Skype problems remain but your camera works with everything else, Skype's comprehensive support system should best be able to help you use their product with your system.
Start here: https://support.skype.com/
Or, click this link for help specifically related to Mac video calls.
You can also search or post for help with your problem in Skype's dedicated Skype Discussions for Mac. The Skype users who post there may have already solved the same problem.
If nothing else works, you can even sign in and ask for email help directly from Skype's Technical Support people.
(3) If you still have trouble with more than one app, you may need to use Disk Utility to:
• repair permissions,
• repair your disk,
• or even reinstall Mac OS.
If you reinstall OS X 10.5, use the Mac OS X 10.5.8 Combo Update to return to the latest version in one update step.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.7.4

Built-in iSight will not work with Skype

I have a new Macbook Pro that I purchased about a month ago, running OS
X 10.5.8.
I've been using Skype to video chat, and at first everything was working
very well. In the middle of a chat, however, the video stopped working
altogether.
If I go to the video tab in Skype preferences, the camera will then turn
on and I can see myself, but once I go back to the call, the camera
won't turn on (the green light on my camera stays off too). In video
preferences I have the following options checked: Enable Skype Video,
Automatically receive video from: People in my Contact list, and Show
that I have video to: People in my contact list. I have also tried to
enable the "Start my video automatically" option but to no avail. The
video camera it is set to use is the Built-in iSight.
I have tried reinstalling skype, including deleting all the preference
files on the computer, but that did not help.
The video works fine in other applications such as Photobooth, iMovie and Google Chat. I have browsed through the many Skype forum posts about similar issues, as well as Apple forums and have tried every fix that people have suggested including resetting my SMC, updating all my applications, trying Skype under different user accounts, reinstalling Quicktime, reinstalling Skype (as outlined in the Uninstall guide for mac), repairing permissions, etc.
I am pretty sure that this problem began directly after I switched to
SCREEN SHARING during a video chat. When I switched back to Video, it
did not work.
No other applications that use my camera are running.
I am assuming that since it originally worked with Skype, and since I had not touched ANY of the options in Skype and have done nothing other than try screen sharing, and since I did a complete Skype reinstall includeing preferences, that the problem should NOT be with the Skype program itself, but rather something that was modified in the operating system configuration during screen sharing.
The only other thing I can think of trying is to reinstall iSight, although I haven't been able to figure out how to do that, or to reinstall my entire operating system, which I don't see as an acceptable solution.
I am using Skype Version 2.8.0.659
Any help getting this fixed would be greatly appreciated.
I have posted a similar topic in the Skype forums along with a screen shot of my Skype preferences window: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=422861
From my online reading in both the Apple and Skype forums, it seems as though this is a relatively common problem. If I can find a solution from either Skype or Apple, I will post the solution in both of the forums.
Update: I just upgraded my OS to 10.6.1 and my camera started working again. Then, I was in a chat and I lost my internet connection. As soon as I got back online I restarted the conversation and the camera doesn't work again. This is getting to be ridiculous.
Thank you for your time,
rystheguy

Hi,
It is years since I tried Skype. (Probably in Tiger)
I use Little Snitch, a utility that can report the ports and IPS any App is trying to contact.
For Video chats it seems the Skype process spreads the load across many "Servers" wanting to connect to about 3 doz (I got fed up with clicking the accept Button)
For this reason I do not think it is very secure.
I only today read a post that said Skype had Screen Sharing.
iChat 5 makes it clear (well if you run /Applications/iChat.app/Contents/MacOS/iChat -errorLogLevel 7 In Terminal) that there is a "camera" setting for the Desktop which may be a forthcoming thing or is about produce the Screen Sharing pic. (i.e iChat lists two "cameras" in the log produced by the above Terminal command).
iChat 4 and 5 use the Apple Remote Desktop engine to do Screen Share as does the Screen Sharing App invoked from the Finders Go Menu > Go to Server and using VNC:// as the Link type.
I would have no idea what protocol Skype are using.
They created their own Video protocols and similar with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) for Connecting to POTS (Plain Old Telephone Systems) Phones in disregard for Internationally agreed Standards.
I doubt that it makes use of the ARD engine. It will probably be a reinvention of the wheel again.
I took a look around the Skype web site but could not find any mention of how they are doing Screen Sharing.
I would guess it is similar to the iUSBCam method of Desktop as Video Feed.
Do the Console or System Log in Console (Applications/Utilities) have any messages about this ?
9:59 PM Monday; September 21, 2009

Built in isight camera not working with flash

My built in isight camera on my macbook works just fine in photobooth and in skype or ichat.. but just in the past week or so, it will not work when im on websites that use flash. I've seen some threads that say that I need to go into settings and make sure that the camera chosen is the USB. When i go into flash settings, the only options are Google1, Google2, or Built in isight. It doesn't work with any of them. Does anyone have any idea how I can make it work again?

zeppelinfan1234 wrote:
I don't have google add ons. I followed the path but i have no Google folder in Application Support. Any other suggestions?
Your problem is not the same as that posted by the OP, and your system info shows you using Mac OS X (10.5.6).
For your symptoms with this system, I suggest you do the following:
(1) Apply the 10.5.8 Combo Update using the following process:
• Backup your Mac and turn off Time Machine
• Disconnect peripherals and restart Mac
• Use Disk Utility to repair permissions
• Download and install
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate
• Repair permissions again immediately following the restart that finishes the update.
• Test whether Flash works for you now.
(• Turn Time Machine on later when you are satisfied that the update worked.)
(2) After applying the 10.5.8 Combo, if you are still having problems, download and install the latest Flash player compatible with your system:
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/
Also check any other third-party browser plugins or other add ons. Apply all available updates and uninstall any third-party items that are known to be incompatible with your system.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

Isight won't work in OSX, works in boot camp (XP SP3)

Hi everyone,
Within the last few weeks, my iSight camera stopped working. I went through every troubleshooting step recommended by Apple with no luck. I gave up hope and was ready to take it to the Apple store, but decided to see if it would work in windows... strangely enough it works great, but still won't work in OSX. I'd like to avoid taking it to the store, so any help is greatly appreciated!

Welcome to Discussions, bluejayDDS
... I'd like to avoid taking it to the store ...
You can the following three things (listed in order of increasing effort on your part) before seeking professional help:
(1) Apply the latest (10.5.7) Combo Updater using the following procedure:
• Backup all your important files.
• Use your Mac's Disk Utility to Repair disk permissions (different from repairing the "disk").
• Download and apply the Mac OS X 10.5.7 Combo Update.
http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_7_ComboUpdate
• Repair permissions again immediately following the restart that completes the install.
(Don't worry about corrections if Disk Utility reports that all repairs have been completed.)
• Launch only the OS X app you are trying to use with iSight and test to see if iSight works correctly.
Using the above process to apply the Combo Updater sometimes solves problems that occur after using your Mac's Software Update... to update Mac OS.
(2) If your problem still exists, reinstall OS X using the "Archive and Install" options explained here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710
Be certain that you have backed up all important files before you reinstall OS X.
(3) If your problem is not resolved by Archive and Install, you can completely Erase and Install all your Mac's software.
Erasing your iMac's hard disk and reinstalling all software as described in the Erase and Install section of http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1545 might correct a problem that remains after an Archive and Install.
Erase and Install is a lot of work, but sometimes it is the only way to get rid of something on the disk that is causing problems.
(4) If none of that works, see your Apple Service Technician for professional help.
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.6) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

Built in iSight no longer works in 10.4.10

After I installed the 10.4.10 update and rebooted my iSight no longer works. If I open Photo Booth to test it out it starts out normal then very quickly starts to fade down to complete black, yet still remains on as indicated by the green light.
Taking pictures just results in a black square. I tried removing the Photo Booth prefs but that did nothing. Reinstalling the 10.4.10 combo update also did nothing.
Any ideas?

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Chadsere
Because you made your post "in response to" me, I will respond, although, from your wording, you may have intended your post for the original poster.
adam1185's question has been marked "Answered", which indicates that he does not expect further input. Therefore, you may not see a response from him. However, I agree with your interpretation that "it just magically started working again" for him.
By whatever method, you will want to get your problems resolved while you still have warranty coverage for your MacBook.
Notwithstanding what is reported, unless something changes, computers will not heal themselves. Because Mac OS X performs certain checks on your hard drive files at every startup, my guess is that most successes credited to "magic" are likely due to restarts. However, any fix that gets things working for you is a good fix.
If you have not already done so, apply the 10.4.10 Combo Updater using the method described above. That often helps correct iSight problems.
If your problem persists, unless your problem is exactly the same as adam1185's, I suggest you start a new topic with as much detail as possible about your system and problem. Your issues deserve the individual attention that they will get in threads of your own.
Cheers,
Jim

ISight won't work for other user

My wife and I have seperate user IDs on the same machine. For me the isight works perfectly with ichatAV and with iMovie. But for my wife though the camera works fine with iMovie only the sound will work with ichat. She gets the message "your camera is being used by another app" even when she's just booted it up with no start up apps. We both have admin rights. can anyone help?

Hi Keith:
This may help: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93216

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

Built in isight doesn't work on macbook pro

i just received my refurbished macbook pro today, and the internal isight is not working. when i click photo booth, the light goes on, but no image shows up, and when i press the photo button the countdown and the flash go on but no photo appears.

diefokkenkinders wrote:
i just received my refurbished macbook pro today, and the internal isight is not working. when i click photo booth, the light goes on, but no image shows up, and when i press the photo button the countdown and the flash go on but no photo appears.
Welcome to Discussions, diefokkenkinders
Your Mac should work properly from the first time you turn it on.
If your MBP did not work the first time you tried it, I agree with sig that you should return it for service including a thorough check to be certain there are no other problems with your particular machine.
If you want to try some things before returning your Mac, or if your iSight once worked but has is now giving trouble, you can try the suggestions in Apple's Troubleshooting article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
Message was edited by: 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

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.

First problem! iSight won't work for iMovie or PhotoBooth

It works for iChat AV, but not Photobooth (it did before!) and iMovie (it did work before here too.) Repaired permissions, Zapped PRAM... anyone else have this problem? I'll call Apple tomorrow.

Apollo:
When you say, "Before", before when? Before 10.4.4? Before you downloaded some other software? What happened between working and not working? If you backed up your data, do an erase and install. Need more information.

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

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

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

Camera won't work in ichat or photo booth

I have an built-in camera (isight) in my imac. when i try to do a video chat the camera just comes up black. The audio is working fine but not video. Help! I'm not computer savvy but I tried everything I could think of. Restarting didn't work, deleting the ichat preferences didn't work. what else can I do? thanks

AEB26 wrote:
I have an built-in camera (isight) in my imac. when i try to do a video chat the camera just comes up black. The audio is working fine but not video. Help! I'm not computer savvy but I tried everything I could think of. Restarting didn't work, deleting the ichat preferences didn't work. what else can I do? thanks
Welcome to Discussions, AEB26
For this, or any other, iSight trouble, start with http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
If your iSight problem occurs in more than one app and more than one user account, the reset suggested there often restores proper function of inbuilt iSight.
However, if after carefully following all the suggestions in the "How to Troubleshoot iSight" article, your built-in iSight still does not work, and if it does not show as a USB device in your Mac's System Profiler, yours is most likely a hardware problem. In that case, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.2) MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.2)
LED Cinema Display G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

ISight suddenly not working in iChat

Hi,
My iSight has always worked and i've never had a problem until just now. I just got off a Skype video call with a friend on a PC. my iChat was running and now I realize that it only has the 'phone' icon next to my picture. I checked the preferences and it says:
'There is no camera attached to this computer'
I went on several posts but couldn't find the exact problem.
i checked the system profiler and the in the USB Device Tree my iSight appears.
I then checked in the Console and I got this message:
1/14/11 12:36:19 PM iChat[2617] No iChat delegate set for vccLocalVideoError
I have of course tried restarting iChat. I also deleted com.apple.iChat.playlist and re-signed in to no avail.
Kind of out of ideas now.
Thanks for your help.

bizeulg wrote:
I have the exact same problem. My external iSight which worked well till last week suddenly only shows a phone icon in iChat. In Skype, it tells me there is no Camera as in iChat. The problem remains the same whether I quit or not Skype...
On my MacBook Pro and its internal iSight there is no problem...
Message was edited by: bizeulg
I think that your external iSight problem is different from the inbuilt iSight problem
posted by the OP.
However, if you still believe that your problem is EXACTLY the same as Niklass posts, follow the suggestions Ralph offers to solve that one.
Otherwise,
(1) follow the suggestions here to determine if your external iSight has failed:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
(2) If you cannot get your external iSight working with those suggestions, and if you do not have access to a local Apple Service Technician who can repair it, other repair options are shown here:
http://www.apple.com/support/isight/service/
(3) If you need to replace your external iSight, some alternatives are here:
http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.6); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.6)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

My built-in iSight won't work in iChat.

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