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

Similar Messages

External Apple isight with a imac G5

Really need help to figure this one out.
I have not used this isight before it has been bought secondhand.
Trying to use an external Apple isight with a imac G5 (without built in isight) running on Leopard OSX 10.5.8.
looked in my Utilities and can't find anything relating to isight.
Done system update and tried to download isight updater 1.0.3 but that does not work for OSX 10.4 or later.
Many thanks for your time
Additional Details:
Also when I go into System profiler and look in FireWire it says unknown device.
and also went into:
finder/system/library/coreservices/isightupdater
It will ask me to plug in an isight (which I do) to install and still nothing happens.
& also best till last - No green light what so ever
Do you think it maybe broken?
I really hope not as it was sold as fully working

jonsonby wrote:
Really need help to figure this one out.
I have not used this isight before it has been bought secondhand.... No green light what so ever
Do you think it maybe broken?
I really hope not as it was sold as fully working
Welcome to Discussions, jonsonby
Based on the info you posted, if Defcom's good suggestion does not restore proper function, I think the external iSight is defective.
The simplest way to test that for certain is to connect your iSight (use the same cable you use) to another Mac, particularly one that works with a known-good external iSight. If you do not have access to another Mac and/or another external iSight for testing, a local Apple retailer may be able to do the test for you at little or no cost.
More complete troubleshooting suggestions here:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
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

I would like to know if is possible to use the old iSight with my powerbook (mid 2009)?

I would like to know if is possible to use the old iSight with the macbook pro (mid 2009)?

Hi,
If the Mac has Firewire then you can use the External iSight
(Other readers
If you have Firewire 800 then you will need an adapter to use the Firewire 400 camera - Search for the word Adpater and see posts by EZ Jim for more details)
Don't daisy-chain the camera with Hard Drives
The camera only uses a data rate of 200Mbps and the differences in Hard Drive data speeds can be an issue.
The External iSIght should work no matter what Firmware is on there currently.
There is some evidence that having the 1.0.3 version (Open the System Profiler > Hardware > Firewire) on the device makes it more compatible/useable in later OS versions
The Updater is included in Tiger and Leopard.
Hard Drive/System/Library/CoreServices/iSight Updater/iSight Updater.app
An OS Update could "trigger" this to be run if you have Tiger
It can also be run as a Standalone.
It is Not present in Snow Leopard and although the documentation says this Firmware is an Audio update some people report that the camera needs the 1.0.3 Firmware to run.
(that could simply be the "Flashing" the Memory involved resets it enough to work)
10:22 PM Wednesday; June 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( 10.6.7)
 Mac OS X (10.6.7),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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

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.

External Firewire iSight under Boot Camp

Hi All,
I've searched these forums and many others on the issue of getting an external firewire iSight working under Windows via Boot Camp. There seems to be a huge amount of conflicting information...
Does anyone have the definitive response...?
Can it be done...? Are there drivers available...? Can non apple drivers be used...? etc..etc..
Advice appreciated.
p.s. If there is no driver available, I'm amazed someone hasn't reverse engineered a driver for this yet... If I knew how, I would!!!

Ted,
Taken from Boot Camp setup guide PDF, Page 16.
"You cannot use Boot Camp Assistant to partition and install Windows XP on an external drive."
Link to setup guide: http://images.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/pdf/BootCamp_Beta_SetupGuide.pdf
Regards, James

Can you use external hard drives with the HP Omni 10 5600US

Since this a Windows tablet, can you use external hard drives with the HP Omni 10 5600US?
I know there is a micro-sd reader for additional storage but can you use the usb for external hard drives like a regular pc?
I tried looking at the spec's for this tablet and it said the usb port was host only. I'm not sure what that means exactly.

Yes you can. You'll need to purchase a USB OTG (on-the-go) cable. I recommend using a drive that has its own power supply but I've successfully used small USB powered drives also.

How to use built-in iSight & external Firewire iSight simultaneously?

The solutions I've found here and elsewhere, about launching iChat first so it "controls" the internal iSight and will force the firewire iSight to work, does not work. With Quicktime and Photo Booth, I stll get the feed from the internal camera.
iChat has a dropdown menu showing "Built-in iSight" and "iSight". But when "iSight" is selected, the message "Camera is off" appears.
What is the definitive method for using the built-in iSight and the firewire iSight simultaneously? Thank you.

Hi,
Several answer to the implied questions.
By Default iChat will choose the camera listed in the iChat menu > Preferences > Video section > camera drop down.
(If there is only one camera this drop down does not appear)
The External iSight may need it's iris opened if it is plugged in but you are being told it is Off.
However also you may benefit from ticking the check box about an External Camera at the bottom of the same pane.
As for "Simultaneously" http://b-l-a-c-k-o-p.com/CamCamX.html
Other VJ type apps or that will do VJ type stuff are listed here under Movie Capture.
10:18 PM Saturday; June 25, 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

How do I use an external hard drive with iMovie 10.0.1? I have run out of disk space on my Macbook Air.

How do I use an external drive with iMovie 10.0.1? It is not obvious and I have run out of space.

If you want to move a complete iMovie 10 library (file with .imovielibrary extension) click on the library in the libraries pane and select File - Consolidate Library Media. This ensures that all media is copied to the library. You can then move the library onto your external drive using Finder. The first time to want to access it from iMovie you will have to tell it where it is by choosing File - Open Library -Other and navigating to it.
If you only want to transfer part of a library to another drive, create a new library a at the desired location File - Open Library - New and copy projects and events to it from within iMovie.
Its all described in iMovie help - "Work with multiple libraries".
Geoff.

Computer crash with iTunes - Using external firewire 800 drive

I am using an external firewire 800 drive (2TB Lacie) to store all my music for iTunes... At random times this crashes the computer, the music "skips" and the computer has a grey notice telling me to shutdown immediately. I am not sure why this is happening, but think this must be some sort of conflict issue... but no clue how to resolve... Any advice would be great!! Thanks!

Oh no, sounds like kernel panics. Time to head directly to The X Lab to read the FAQs and get started with maintenance and troubleshooting. Unfortunately, this problem goes way beyond iTunes, so for additional support, you should post in the appropriate OS X forum.

Facetime and external firewire iSight camera

Hi,
I bought Facetime yesterday. When I start it, it says that there is no camera. I turn on my iSight, nothing happens.
I close Facetime, turn on my iSight, then start Facetime: instant crash.
So, basically, Facetime doesn't work for me. Anybody experienced something similar? Any idea?
My external iSight camera is version 1.0.3.
I run OS X 10.6.6 on my Mac Pro 1.1.

Edouard Boily wrote:
Hi,
I bought Facetime yesterday. When I start it, it says that there is no camera. I turn on my iSight, nothing happens.
I close Facetime, turn on my iSight, then start Facetime: instant crash.
Because you "turn on" your iSight, you must be using your external.
Test your external iSight with other apps using the suggestions here:
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html
*If external iSight doesn't work with any app*, try creating a new user account and test there.
*If external iSight doesn't work with anything in any user account*, it may be repairable. If you don't have local access to an Apple Service Technician, other options are shown here:
http://www.apple.com/support/isight/service/
*If your external iSight is not economically repairable*, you may want to consider a new camera. Several alternatives are included in the discussion here:
http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/
*If your iSight works with apps* (QT, iMovie, iChat, Photo Booth, etc.) *other than FaceTime*, you may merely need to restart the Mac, repair permissions, and reinstall FaceTime.
So, basically, Facetime doesn't work for me. Anybody experienced something similar?
Not I.
Any idea? ...
Several. You do not say which display you use. As shown in this image using my Mac Pro and LED Cinema Display:
when your Mac recognizes more than one camera, you can select the one you want by clicking the appropriate item in the FaceTime > Video menu item.
(1) *If either camera works*, your FaceTime software is working.
(2) *If you have only one webcam that can connect to your Mac Pro*, try resetting the FaceTime preferences. If you need help, here is how:
• Restart Mac
• Navigate to the "com.apple.FaceTime.plist" file in your Home ( ) > Library > Preferences folder.
(Be sure you are in the "Home" Folder preferences folder, not your System's.)
• Move the "com.apple.FaceTime.plist" file to Trash
• Connect external iSight, launch FaceTime, and test again.
(3) *If the FaceTime problem persists,* apply the 10.6.6 Combo Update as follows:
• 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/kb/DL1349
• Repair permissions again immediately following the restart that finishes the update.
• Test FaceTime again
(• Turn Time Machine on again when you are satisfied that the Combo update worked.)
(4) *If FaceTime still does not work on your Mac Pro*, test with your other Mac. Leave external iSight disconnected from your MacBook Pro and test FaceTime using its inbuilt iSight. If FaceTime works on your MBP with its inbuilt iSight, you know that the software you downloaded is good.
(5) *If you’re new FaceTime doesn't work with either of your Macs*, click "Support" in the App Store Quick Links (upper right quadrant) section and ask if you should download another copy to test whether the one you have is bad.
EZ Jim
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

10.4.7 update and external firewire problems with HD corrupion

Dear all,
Advised by Jpfresno I started this new topic about Tiger 10.4.7 update.
I will repeat my post and what was happening 2 weeks ago:
“In 5 years 10.4.7 update was a tragedy for my Powerbook Ti 667. When I update from 10.4.6 to 10.4.7 my 300 GB firewire drive gets corrupted, after repairing it with DiskWarrior and after connecting it to my PowerBook my computer freezes and I must shut it down via powerbutton. Safari also crashes after the update.
I just erase my Hard Drive and after that install 10.4 and update with combo to 10.4.7. But I had the same problems: finder freezes with connected firewire devices and also safari when browsing. I spend a week trying to solve the problem but no luck.
Yesterday and with no firewire devices, 10.4.7 freeze and I have big trouble in order to started my powerbook!!! Even when i insert the 10.4 install DVD it did not detected my HD. Finally I get it to work and install 10.4 and combo update to 10.4.6 and everything works. My external firewire drive and safari. I already diagnose my HD with disk utility, TechTool and directories with Diskwarrior and everything is ok.
I clone my 10.4.6 to firewire, boot from it and everything is working. I let my external drive connected and finder does not freeze.
My conclusion is that the problem is 10.4.7 update. It only give me problems and I was getting crazy with it. 10.4.6 is working good and I do not advice anyone to update to 10.4.7.”
Last week after reinstalling 10.4.6 I started to have HD problems with my Powerbook 667. I did a surface scan with TechTool I it reported bad sector. Then I done a zero disk format but after a second surface scan TechTool also reported bad sector. Then I take the decision to replace my internal HD. I bought a Samsung 40GB Hard Drive and installed it on my PowerBook. Then I have done a clean installation of 10.4.6 with all applications that I need and clone it to my hard drive with Intego Personal Backup software. Everything works on 10.4.6. and external firewire drive.
After that everything is ok. But I decided to test if my problem derivates from 10.4.7 update or from previous HD corruption. Then I install 10.4.7 update on my Internal Hard Drive. Everything is working good but after connecting my external Hard Drive the finder started to freeze!!!!!!!!!. After that I tried cloning HD to external firewire with Intego personal Backup. Everything was working good but when it was finishing the backup process started to give errors!! I started panic. I interrupted the backup process but after and after restart I found something strange with 10.4.7. The system started up, I login but I could not started any application!!!??? All my application died!
Then I have done one more clean installation of tiger and 10.4.6 update.
My conclusions are that the 10.4.7 update causes all the problems that I have on my PowerBook, because I used the same methods and same software/hardware on 10.4.6 and did no have any problem.
This last two weeks were very difficult to me. I tough that these problems do not happen with Apple computers but I was wrong!!! It is very hard to me to deal with it. I always said to my friends that I never had problems with Apple computers. I accept that a hard drive died because the use of it but I can not accept that a system update cause me 2 weeks of hard problems and make me loose precious work information! I always love apple computers and Apple OS but now I am disappointed
If anyone can explain what happen or have a solution for those problems?
Thanks for the comprehension and collaboration.
Best Regards
Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi, alsvieira.
There are some things you did not check in all of your troubleshooting:
1. Run the Apple Hardware Test (AHT) that came the affected computer. See my "Apple Hardware Test" FAQ for comprehensive advice on using the AHT in troubleshooting.
2. re: FireWire troubleshooting: Here is some general troubleshooting advice that may help if problems return with your FireWire drive:1. Review the AppleCare Knowledge Base document "What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire device".
2. If this problem occurred after installing a recent Mac OS X Update, and you are also unable to mount CDs, DVDs, or disk images perform the steps in this Mac OS X Hints article. This worked under Panther and may also work in certain situations under Tiger.
3. Power-on the FireWire drive before starting up (booting) your Mac.
4. Reset PRAM and NVRAM.
5. Resett the power-management chip in your Mac.
6. Try a different FireWire port. James Wiebe, CEO of WiebeTech, has published FireWire Port Failures in Host Computers and Peripheral Devices, a white paper providing backgroud information and technical analysis concerning the causes of failure for FireWire ports. This may provide additional diagnostic information.
7. Micromat TechTool Pro version 4 can test the FireWire bus in your computer: this tests the bus — not the ports — but if the problem is on the FireWire bus on the logic board, it should reveal it.
8. Check with the manufacturer of your FireWire drive or enclosure to see if any firware updates are available for such.
9. Hopefully, the partition map on the FireWire drive is not damaged. This can happen if the FireWire drive was not Ejected before being disconnected or powered off. If it still refuses to mount, you may need to employ data recovery tools or services: see my "Data Recovery" FAQ.Note that some of the information above is from the "FireWire Problems" chapter of my book, Troubleshooting Mac® OS X.
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Connect external hard disk with iMovie

I bought a new external hard disk and would like to connect that with iMovie. The disk is formatted with Mac format. When I start iMove, I can see the hard disk appeared in the Event Library. However, I cannot move the file into it and there is a yellow triangle signal appeared. Would you please kindly advise how to deal with it? Many thanks!

Hi
The disk is formatted with Mac format.
Mac can open and use many different formatting's - but for Video only one works (as I know off)
• Video - Mac OS Extended (hfs) (journaled or not)
Not - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - works for much BUT NOT FOR VIDEO.
Else - there is a size problem too
I just bought a 2Tb HD and was not able to format it unless I partitioned it into smaller volumes - I think that about 750Gb is OK so I made 4x500Gb. Then it was formatted OK.
Yours Bengt W

How to reestablish connection to external FireWire drive with iTunesLibrary

Hello all. Here's the scenario I would like help with, please:
I currently have a G5 Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac running Leopard 10.5.1 and iTunes 7.6 . I have my iTunes library of tunes on an external FireWire Drive. I expect to purchase a Mac Pro soon. I expect to use Migration Assistant to pull files from my G5 over to the Mac Pro. Good so far.
Everything I've read about having ones iTunes songs on an external drive always starts with the assumption that the iTunes songs are currently on ones internal drive. In my case, as you can see, that is not the case. Given that I already have my songs on an external drive, that I'll have a new computer with things in their default positions (unless Migration Asst. pulls over my iTunes preferences including iTunes songs location), how, then, can I make sure the new iTunes app on the new Mac Pro "sees" where my music already exists?
Thanks for any help you might give. I'd like to be able to get iTunes working properly from day one on the new Mac Pro without iTunes problems.
Wayne

Thank you Airsculpture. What you laid out is the exact procedure I have used in the past. For some reason I thought switching to a new OS on a new computer might complicate things further. Glad to see that is not the case.
I appreciate your help!
Regards,
PWRMAC

Macmini and external Firewire HD with dual- or triple boot

I have this setup in mind : a Mac mini with an external Firewire HD (ministack or other). Can I install OS X on the external drive and have Linux (and nothing but Linux) on the internal drive ?
Or same scenario, but then with Linux as well as XP on the internal drive (making it triple boot, Linux (ubuntu) and XP on the internal, OS X on the external firewire drive. Is this possible ?

OS X on the external drive and XP on the Internal will work fine, that's what I've done. As for *nix, I haven't installed *nix on a Mac since I started using OS X. Seemed superfluous.

Using external firewire iSight with iMovie 8

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