The camera is in use by another application

I received this message whenever I attempted to use a firewire video source other than the iSight (DCR-VX2000 and JVC BR-DV600). Tried the usual unplugging and plugging-in of the firewire cable to no avail. I had the latest and up-to-date versions of Tiger, iChat, and Quiktime. It was suggested that I download and install a clean version of Quiktime 7 to correct this issue. Viola! She works! I hope this helps someone before they spend a day on it!

Yep standard fix for that problem.
Ralph

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I cannot open Photobooth. I keep getting a message that says "Photobooth cannot open because no camera is attached or the camera is in use by another application." As far as I can tell, no other application is using the camera. Help?

I cannot open Photobooth. I keep getting a message that says "Photobooth cannot open because no camera is attached or the camera is in use by another application." As far as I can tell, no other application is using the camera. Help?

Run the apple hardware test.

Photobooth cannot open because the camera is in use by another application?

I quit all applications and still gave me that error message.... any clues on what I can do?

I just found another discussion topic on this... sorry... i'll keep watch on that thread

IChat says my camera is in use by another application

I recently bought an IceCam2 and plugged it into my computer, but when I open ichat to use the video, it says that the camera is in use by another application, but I am running no other applications. I have tried to restarting my computer, which has not helped, and I also restarted again reseting the PRAM which also did nothing...please help!

Hi.
I had this same exact issue with my PowerMac G4. I would plug in my new USB 2.0 MacAlly IceCam2 and it would work in all other programs except for iChat. I noticed that in the other programs the camera was very slow (response time) but was functional. After searching everywhere I some how decided to unplug it from one of the two built in USB ports (shown below) and plugged it into an expansion port on a PCI USB 2.0 card I recently installed.
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/DeveloperNotes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/PowerMacG4/3Input-Output/chapter_4_section2.html
USB Ports
The PowerMac G4 computer has two external Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports on the back and two on the keyboard. The USB ports are used for connecting the keyboard and mouse as well as additional I/O devices such as printers, scanners, and low-speed storage devices. The USB ports are off of the USB controller connected to the PCI bus.
Each USB port is connected to a separate USB root hub, allowing both USB ports to support 12 Mbps devices at the same time with no degradation of their performance. The USB root hubs also connect to the internal USB modem and Bluetooth modules and to the USB port on the ADC monitor connector.
The USB ports comply with the Universal Serial Bus Specification 1.1 Final Draft Revision. The USB register set complies with the Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI) specification.
Well you see it right, my problem was that I had the webcam that required a USB 2.0 connection plugged into a USB 1.1 port! I wish I would have known this before hand but I assumed that since the computer was built during the reign of the USB 2.0 era that the USB ports on my computer were in fact USB 2.0 and not the old 1.1 standards!
Well I plugged in the MacAlly USB 2.0 IceCam2 into the USB 2.0 slot on my expansion 2.0 USB card > opened up iChat > works perfect now! If anyone is receiving the very disappointing error message about "camera is in use by another application" message with a USB webcam - verify you are using the correct USB standard (ensure the camera and port matches).
I wish I would have known this a few days ago!
Thanks,
~croat
Message was edited by: croatjj

Error "Your camera is in use by another application"-no other apps running

I just purchased a brand new iSight. I connected it to my G5 but when I start up iChat and click on the green video camera icon at the top right, I get a new window that just says "your camera is in use by another application". I don't have other applications running. When I click on the preferences button at the bottom of that window I get another new window with some options for microphone and bandwidth limit. The iSight is not even an option for microphone.
I tryed the iSight on a MacBook Pro and a iBook, it works perfect on both so I don't think there is anything wrong with the iSight.
A few months ago I tryed to run a mac compatible logitech camera on the G5 but couldn't get iChat to recognize that camera either. I wonder if did something that is coming back to haunt me.
I downloaded the latest updates for my iChat, tried all the basic stuff like removing the logitech software and restarting the computer...I am running out of ideas...Help, please. How do I figure out which app is "using" the iSight?

Hi Puppymac,
There are two things to try.
1) Try the Combo update
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1046comboforppc.html
2) Try reinstalling Quicktime.
1:47 PM Wednesday; May 17, 2006

Message - Camera is in use by another application

When I try to use I Chat 3.1.9 to video chat I receive a message that camera is in use by another application. I don't see any application that is open that uses the camera. What might be causing this conflict and how can I correct it?
Thanks.
I Mac Mac OS X (10.4.11)

With some Macs you can reset the SMC or PMU fairly easily as you can access the "right Spot".
On Desktops like iMacs this is not an easy proposition and Resetting the PRAM (The above Restart 4 key hold) will sort this for you.
The other places to check are the System Preferences > Accounts > your account > Login Items tab and see if anything is open there that uses the camera.
If you have done a Video chat with one of the Web Browser methods it may pay to restart the Web Browser to make sure it has fully disengaged with Flash.
Now camera Details are held in two places in the iChat .plists
com.apple.ichat.plist holds the camera info
com.apple.ichatAgent says where it is active.
I would try deleting the second one first and Restarting iChat to Recreate it.
Deleting com.apple.ichat.plist loses all your setting you made in the Preferences such as Bubble Colour, Font, Alerts settings, Saved Transcripts and so on including any Saved Status Messages. So it should be deleted as a last resort.
9:14 PM Monday; December 8, 2008

Error says"Your camera is in use by another application"...no apps running

I just purchased a brand new iSight. I connected it to my G5 but when I start up iChat and click on the green video camera icon at the top right, I get a new window that just says "your camera is in use by another application". I don't have other applications running. When I click on the preferences button at the bottom of that window I get another new window with some options for microphone and bandwidth limit. The iSight is not even an option for microphone.
I tryed the iSight on a MacBook Pro and a iBook, it works perfect on both so I don't think there is anything wrong with the iSight.
A few months ago I tryed to run a logitech camera on the G5 but couldn't get iChat to recognize that camera either. I wonder if did something that is coming back to haunt me.
I downloaded the latest iChat, tried all the basic stuff like removing the logitech software and restarting the computer...I am running out of ideas...Help, please
Powermac G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

HI Puppymac,
Does this help http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93216
Normally we would suggest running the appropriate Combo installer or try reinstalling Quicktime
Downloads here
11:43 PM Wednesday; May 17, 2006

The file is in use by another application.

Post Author: mudEyes
CA Forum: Exporting
CRXI, VB6, SQLSever 2005
I'm using the report.export method to save reports so that the data is saved with the report. If I alter the report and then export I get no problem, if I then alter and save the report again without closing the report a get the 'The file is in use by another application.' error.
can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong (apart from my choice of career)?

Were you already running on Win 7 prior to this?
I had this problem when upgrading to Win7. Solved by selecting my topmost level folder, changing the premissions, and making them inherent to teh files inside. Happened on my external drive, but not on my C: drive which was reformatted in the upgrade process.

I am unable to use my external CD player. I am told that the player is being used by another application, and that is not true. I have quit everything and restarted. I've unplugged the unit. I have a fairly new mac mini 10.8. What can I do?

I am unable to use my external CD player. I have a fairly new mac mini 10.8. I am told that the player is being used by another application, but it's not true. I've forced everything to quit and restarted. I've even unplugged the unit and let it rest. I've turned off and unplugged the mac too. I cannot make a CD. Why?

I misread your message. I thought it said I did not have burn support with the Samsung hardware.
When the CD goes in it says You inserted a bland CD. choose an action from the popup menu or click ignore
open finder
open itunes
open disk utility
make this action the default
eject ignore ok
However, when I am making CDs. I am in itunes. That is where my recordings areI haven't tried to do it from this vantage point.
I don't know how to make a screen shot on a mac.
I go to my playlist and click on the little gear icon at the bottom left and I leave things as they are - preferred speed - maximum. I leave it on audio CD - and then I select BURN.
When I tried this the other day, I could not get it to burn, no matter how hard I tried - everything I could think of, using a different CD, force quitting everything I was not using, restarting the computer, unplugging the CD hardware and plugging it back in after a little while, nothing worked. I got that message that said my player was being used by another application every time I tried to make the CD. This took over an hour. I don't know of another way to make a CD on the mac; I was not using another program or application. Now it seems to be working fine. I am burning another copy of something I gave away.
I wish I knew what caused this. It was a real problem Saturday morning.

Hot sync error message reading: "Unable to initiate hotsync operation because the port is in use by another application

Having HotSync error message on my M130 when I press hotsync button. USB cable at cradle and on computer are OK. Computer recognized Palm software, and device, and displays the hotsync symbol in the tray. I have trie all 4 USB connections on my Dell Inspiron running Windows XP home edition. NO LUCK! Hot Sync icon will come up, but when pressed on the cradle button or initiated from the M130 screen, the error messages reads as follows:
"Unable to initiate HotSync operation because the port is in use by another application." I have checked "My Computer", Control panel port assignments in the hardware section. No conflect noted. All ports open and operating. No port conflict or channel conflict issues. ?????
CAN YOU ASSIST? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Tom G.

On PC Sync settings set connection to cable then set to bluetooth. Problem fixed.
Spoiler (Highlight to read)

External isight camera shows in use by another application. OSX 10.4.11. Profilers se the isight in firwewire attached periperals. I've tried all of the various suggestions. Unplugging, deleting plist items starting restarting.

I've tried multiple discussion lists and suggested workarounds nothing seems to work. I have an external isight camera that worked the last time I used it. I switched cables. Plugged and unplugged camera. deleted plist files but this camera refuses to show up in any of the applications. Sound preferences doesn't recognize that the external isight camera is attached, Imovie says no camera attached even thought the system profiler see the camera in textural detail. I chat shows in use by another application. The are no other open apps.
i've read dozens of articles but it seems that this may be an apple bug. When are they going release the patch?
Any body have a fix for this problem. 6 months ago it workedj

Hi,
Can you access it it System Preferences > Accounts > Your account by Changing the Pic and chosing the Snapshot option ?
Also consider Audio apps as the iSight has a Mic in it.
IS the System Profiler identifying it as being at Firmware 1.0.3
In 10.4.x and 10.5.x the iSight Firmware Updater is in Hard Drive/System/Library/Core Services in a folder called iSight Updater (it is not there is Snow Leopard)
It may pay to try Flashing the firmware again if it is updated and see if that sorts anything. (Last resort)
In the mean time check Activity Monitor
This should list iChatAgent when you start the computer (normal)
vcencoder (lower case) should only start if a video chat is started (or you access the iChat Preview or Video Preferences in iChat.
If vcencoder is showing then use the Quit Button in Activity Monitor and Foirce Quit it.
I would also consider deleting com.apple.ichatAgent.plist at this point. It is this support app that controls access to the camera (Starts vcencoder) and may be part of the issue.
A failed chat and a "Stuck" status in a .plist may try to inform the camera it is in a chat but this would not explian why other computers Respond the same way.
The iSight Firmware may be the only option.
I have not tried this or heard of anyone who has.
<
11:25 PM Saturday; May 7, 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( 10.6.7)
, Mac OS X (10.6.7),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Ichat says camera is being used by another application when its not!

Evry time i go to hook up my cam, (sony handycam), the stupid computer tells me that my camera is being used already by another application...even when every app is closed and off.. it still says this

Hi,
This message can also show up when iChat is having trouble recognizing the video format coming from the camera. I'm not sure if it will help, but you may want to try installing the iChatUSBCam demo to see if it help iChat to recognize the camera.
Glen

"camera is in use by another application" message

Hi there,
I've been dealing with this problem for a whole day now... I tried following the troubleshooting steps described in some posts here and nothing. Deleted QT, trashed its preferences, done the same thing AV chat and its preferences. Repaired permissions, replugged the Isight cameraAnd nothing! Please, does anyone else have any other suggestions? I'm checking my Activity monitor and the only files running that look like may be affecting my IChat are "qmastertaskd"... But I don't want to touch it because I need Qmaster.
Please help!
Thanks,
Marcos H.
IChat AV 3.0.1

I made some further investigations:
IF you first run iMovie (which correctly see DV camcoders, or analog to DV converting devices like mine), and then you quit the application and then run iChatAV, apparently you also see the video coming from the DV device (at least on the self view screen)... BUT as soon as you try to start a chat connection, you get a new error message stating that the chat has been interrupted because the application cannot grab video from the camera.
This is with OS X 10.4.2, both on G3 and G4 machines.
On the other hand, using OhphoneX (standard H.323 videconferincing application http://xmeeting.sf.net ) it all works fine.
Thus it seems an iChatAV + 10.4.x drivers interaction with DV devices problem... i.e. the application iChatAV has something to do with the problem, not only the video/firewire drivers.
Did some of us submitted a problem report to Apple, already?
Best regards,
Claudio

"Camera is in use by another application" error with built-in iSight

This message pops up if I try to do video preview in iChat or try to open Photo Booth. There are no other applications running that I can tell and I have unplugged all USB and firewire cables. Also performed a reinstall of bundled software from the Tiger DVD to no avail. (OS X 10.4.9, iChat AV 3.1.8 (v445) )
I am trying to set up iChat video for the 1st time with another .mac user -- we have been able to IM and audio chat, and the video preview works on their end. Help! Thanks, Derek.<<br>
PowerPC G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9) iChat AV 3.1.8 (v445)

Thanks for the link Tony, but unfortunately still no luck in getting it to work. So far I have tried several things: 1) disconnecting all connections; 2) reinstalling Tiger bundled software apps; 3) creating a new login account; 3) "Repair Disk Permissions" from Util>Disk Util>First Aid; 4) SMC reset.
Something I've observed is that on a powerup restart, Image Capture will automatically launch and a "No image capture device connected" window will pop up. (This is because I set the Image Capture preferences to launch when a camera device is connected; it will launch iPhoto if preference setting is "iPhoto", or nothing if set to "none") Obviously my iMac seems to think a device is connected. However nothing unusual shows up in the System Profiler contents.
Is there another diagnostics tool to investigate or any other suggestions?
Thanks, Derek.

My camera is in use by another application???????

Well actually no, its not. But when I use iChat AV both my G4 and G5 say so. This is obviously a software problem and the only change I have made is to switch to Tiger.
I have been using my Sony mini DV DCR-HC-32 to video chat for a while now on both my G4 tower and my new iMac G5. Apple Support says it doesn't support Sony cameras which I understand, but does any one know what gives??
TIA
David

I'd like to take this discussion one extra step. I have had this problem since installing Tiger. I've repaired permissions and installed various softwares updates without changing the message. Over a month ago, there were other threads with the same basic suggestion of de-installing Quicktime. However, I am reluctant to de-install because I have the production suite (including Final Cut Pro and its pro-version (authorization) of Quicktime Player. I am concerned that de-installation will eliminate the pro-authorization (removing the 'plist') and I will have to do a re-install of production suite as well. I do get the feeling that there will be no other suggestion and hope that an Apple moderator will weigh in. Also, exactly what has to be removed with quicktime, just the player and its one plist file (in User folder preferences)?

The camera is in use by another application

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