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

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Use external isight camera instead of built-in isight

Is it possible to have an external isight camera be default instead of the built-in camera at the top of the monitor? I'd like to use the external camera, which is more portable than the monitor, with such programs as Skype, but -(on Skype at least) I'm not given the option to choose anything except the built-in iSight cam. Can the external iSight be the default cam?
Thanks.
Lee

Not to sure if an external webcam (iSight) can be the "default" webcam. Usually, the video app gives you choices of which webcam to use.

Using external isight camera with imac intel

is there a procedure to use my 'old' portable isight camera with my new imac intel?

i did some tests and here's how is is done:
plug in the FW external isight camera; open SKYPE and prior to calling on SKYPE; go to preferences.; go to 'video' and there NOW two selections 'built-in isight' and 'isight'; select 'isight' and that will be the camera you will using once you make the SKYPE call; HOWEVER if you want to switch back to the 'built-in isight' you have to 'hang up'; go back to preferences and select 'built-in isight' and re-make the call. BTW Apple care in the far far east was next to no help. maybe apple care will read this post and then THEY TOO will have the answer.

Using the isight camera in the bootcamp setup with windows 8.1

Hi
I am running OSX Maverick in a bootcamp setup with Windows 8.1 and have played around with the isight camera but I would like to know what folder the photo's/video's are sent to?
Also, are there any settings or user guide for the isight camera in Windows 8.1?
Thanks

I don't use Boot Camp, but does anything here help you? Boot Camp - Apple Support.
My look there did not show anything about the new Windows 8.1. The latest I saw was Windows 8.
Brave01Heart wrote: ... what folder the photo's/video's are sent to?...
The answer will be wherever the app you are iusing for the capture stores them unless you change the default location. This answer is the same for either Windows or Apple operating systems.

Trouble using external iSight with MacBook Pro (which has built in camera)

Hey Jim,
Have a question for you. I have a new MacBook Pro 17". I also have a 23" Cinema Display, and a left over Firewire external iSight camera (which I used to love).
Frequently I "dock" my MBP with my 23". I either use the dual-screen between the two, or I close the lid on the MBP, let it go to sleep, then wake it back up with a BT keyboard or mouse, letting it go to a single-screen mode on only the 23" Cinema Display.
So, I'm trying to use my external Firewire iSight with my MBP, and I'm getting mixed results -- the best of which is where I am getting some video with regular, occasional freezes with the picture being split (like a v-hold problem on an old TV). After a pause it goes back to smooth video.
I guess primarily, I'm wanting to know what the world of two iSights (FW and built-in) look like, and can they work together? I cannot for the life of me get this FW iSight to work consistently, but I know it works perfectly in another G5 tower (which has no built-in camera).
Any suggestions or guidance?

Hello Exivus
... two iSights (FW and built-in) ... can they work together?
You can have two iSights connected at one time, but, as explained in Apple's iSight "Your camera is in use by another application" message, iSight can be used by only one application at a time. (my emphasis)
Different apps select between multiple connected cameras in different ways. For instance, iChat > Preferences... > Video settings can select which camera to use with the iChat app, but iMovie 6 uses a drop-down menu as shown in this picture:
The suggestions in How to Troubleshoot iSight should help you determine whether one of your iSights is causing trouble. I suggest you test each one separately and without your external display or other peripherals to rule out possible conflicts.
After you are certain that your iSights are working individually, test them when both are connected. After your system successfully passes these tests, you can add your external devices back one-by-one to be sure one of them is not causing the problem.
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

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

External isight camera used with boot camp

I'm trying to set up my EXTERNAL isight camera with windows vista under bootcamp. I want to be connected to skype (version 5.1) when I'm working on the pc side of my Mac Pro under boot camp. I've upgraded boot camp to the latest version (3.2) but it seems that the only drivers supplied are for built-in isight cameras and these don't work with my camera. I've checked the downloads section of the apple site with out luck. Is there a driver for the external isight camera or is there a way of making the built-in isight drivers work with my camera?

I do not run Windows®, so I do not have a specific suggestion for you. If you do not get the answer you need here, consider the following:
• You may find your answers at http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/
• User satcomer claims external iSight works with Windows®7 Professional 64bit here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=13135622&#13135622
• This search may help you: http://tinyurl.com/5v6s2tt
• Search or post here: http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1244
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.7); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.7)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.3.1

IChat using external iSight on iMac 24" 2009

iChat using external iSight on iMac 24" 2009
I'm trying to use an external iSight camera in iChat instead of the built-in one but when connected iChat just gives a beach ball. Searching for similar issues mentions that both cameras should be available in the prefs. I wonder if this is still the case with a current iMac. I'm using a Lacie FW 400 to 800 cable.

Here are some options you can consider, m4rtin
(1) If your Firewire port doesn't see any Firewire device with any cable, reset your Mac's Firewire using the process in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1317
(2) When you get your System Profiler showing your FW devices again, if you still have problems and are daisy chaining your external iSight with another FW device, remove the intermediate device(s) and test external iSight again when it is connect directly.
(3) As explained in this post, your LaCie cable may be the problem:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9496353&#9496353
The simplest way I can suggest to test this is to try a different brand of cable. The search that Ralph suggests will show you that both Belkin and NewEgg have been reported as working to connect external iSight with FW800 Macs.
(4) Alternatively, you can use your old, known-working FW400 cable if you use a 800 -> 400 adapter
like one of these to connect your new Mac to your existing cables:
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fw_adapter.html, or
http://tinyurl.com/cgll7o
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.7) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

External iSight camera

Is there any way to disable the built in Isight camera and use an external one instead? I've tried an external isight cam and opened Ichat and it says the camera is disabled. When I also connect the external one it's light goes on then off.
Any ideas?
Message was edited by: Highjinx

Highjinx wrote:
Is there any way to disable the built in Isight camera and use an external one instead? I've tried an external isight cam and opened Ichat and it says the camera is disabled. When I also connect the external one it's light goes on then off.
Any ideas?
Message was edited by: Highjinx
There is no need to disable built-in iSight for your stated purpose.
However, if you want to disable, scripts like this can easily disable and enable built-in iSight:
http://techslaves.org/index.php?page=62
Be aware that such scripts simultaneously disables ALL USB webcams when active.
I've tried an external isight cam and opened Ichat and it says the camera is disabled. When I also connect the external one it's light goes on then off.
You select which camera iChat uses in iChat > Preferences... > Audio/Video. When more than one camera is recognized, a "Camera" choices bar appears that allows you to select the camera there.
Any ideas?
More complete info: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11355158&#11355158
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz 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; iPod touch 4.1

External iSight camera's compatibility with OS 10.5.8 / iMovie 09

I'm new here and joined because I couldn't find the answers to my questions anywhere on the net.
I just upgraded my OS to 10.5.8 and then installed iLife 09, only to discover that my USB iMage webcam won't capture video in iMovie 09. So I've been researching a replacement, only to get totally overwhelmed by the options. I don't really need a more expensive digital camcorder . . . just a good quality webcam for vcasting.
I found an "A" model external iSight camera still new in box from an Amazon seller but am hesitant to push the BUY button for fear it won't do what I want or isn't compatible in some way with either the new OS or iMovie 09.
I surely would appreciate some input for you all about this iSight camera option and whether it's the best choice.
Thanks,
Janae

Welcome to Discussions, Janae
(1) Although iMovie Help says you should use a firewire webcam, as shown here, your USB iMage webcam should be compatible with 10.5.8 and iMovie '09:
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/imagewebcam/apps.html
Restart your Mac with your webcam connected and check iMovie function again. If you don't already know, this tutorial will show you how to record from a built-in USB iSight:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie-isight
To use your USB iMage webcam, the only thing you need to do differently from what is shown in this tutorial is to *be sure your webcam is selected* (instead of iSight) in the "Camera:" choices bar in the recording preview window.
(2) If you still have problems, try the relevant suggestions from
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1059#4
If you still have problems, post back any new info you discover during troubleshooting. We will try to offer specific suggestions based on the details in your response.
(3) If you want more info about camera alternatives, see Ralph's User Tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2018211
A couple of Firewire webcams that may still be available are:
http://www.firewire-1394.com/fire-i-webcam-unibrain.htm - and -
http://www.welovemacs.com/isweet1.html
Other readers should be aware that some webcams do not have built-in mics, auto-focus, etc., so check carefully for any features that are important to you.
In case you find any of these, this old review gives some opinions on the relative merits of a few different Firewire webcams:
http://www.macworld.com/article/27783/2003/12/firewirewebcams.html
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

Is there a plan for Apple to continue offering the external iSight camera?

Hi All,
I'm thrilled to be the new owner of a Mac Pro w/Cinema display, but I'm getting jealous of my partner on his MacBook Pro with built-in iSight camera, having all the fun with video iChats and video Skype calls.
Since Apple has discontinued sales of the old external iSight camera, does anyone know if they have any plans for a new (even cooler) version? Or, if not, any recommendations on another product that would work just as well?
Thanks!

Hello John and Peter
¶2.1.1 of Apple Discussions' Terms of Use prohibits us from speculating on Apple's plans here. If you want to pursue that question, you can search the web for some of the many Mac or Apple rumor sites.
Some of the many available iSight alternatives are discussed in this link. Because you are using Leopard on your new Mac Pro, all of the alternatives mentioned there are available to you.
At present, the Apple Store sells the Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision. However, any of the alternatives from the link in the paragraph above will work as long as they are compatible with your system and the applications you plans to use with your camera. The package documentation for many cameras list compatibility info for popular applications. Carefully check the documentation for any apps and cameras of interest before you buy.
Also check the camera's advertised features to be certain your compatible camera has all features that are important to you (examples: auto-focus, auto-exposrure, zoom capablility, integrated microphone, etc..) You may not need many, or even any, of these features, but many low priced Mac compatible cameras omit at least some of the features that you may need.
You will not have any difficulty finding cameras that will work with both iChat and Skype. For specific camera recommendations for iChat, search the iChat and iChat Sharing Forum for threads like this one.
For Skype-specific questions beyond what Webcams that Skype sells for use with their software, see the Skype Help pages.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.2) External iSight

SIMPLE QUESTION - EXTERNAL iSIGHT CAMERA

I just have a simple question...
I was using an older iMac G5 with an external iSight camera and just upgraded to a new 24" iMac. Can the external iSight camera still be used on an iMac with a built-in camera?
The cable with the external camera allows for more flexible viewing capability.

Hello rgarros50
The second part of your question is not quite so simple.
Plug your external iSight in and turn it on. If you like, you can use the suggestions from How to test your (external) iSight to ensure it is functional to be sure it is working with your new iMac.
The answer to your question about the "default camera" depends on which application you are using to operate your iSight. Here is how camera selection works in a few example:
(1) For iChat, you can choose which iSight you use in the "Camera:" choices bar in iChat > Preferences... > Audio/Video that appears when more than one 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. However, they do not all work the same way.
(2) For instance, iMovie's camera choice is NOT set via Preferences. When you have more than one compatible camera connected, iMovie uses a drop-down menu choice something like this (depending on which version of iMovie you use):
Note: Because I have no built-in iSight, when my external iSight is disconnected, the drop-down menu shows only "Time Lapse." Because your iMac has a built-in iSight, your built-in iSight will show in the drop-down menu even when no other camera is connected. Connecting your external iSight should allow you to choose either camera.
(3) Photo Booth is such a simple, basic app that it offers no menu selectable choice. Unless you make your built-in iSight the camera being used by some open application before you launch Photo Booth, Photo Booth will use ONLY your built-in iSight.
However, you can use the trick from ¶ 4 of http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302781 to let Photo Booth use your Firewire external iSight:
• Connect your external iSight and turn it on.
• Quit Photo Booth (PB) if it is running.
• Launch any app with a user-selectable camera "Preferences..." menu command.
(The "tip" suggests that you use iChat, but others should work as well.)
• Open "Preferences..." and set the camera "Preference" to use your built-in iSight.
• Now launch PB. PB should now use the external iSight
because your built-in camera is in use by the other application.
(4) For apps other than those above, see their Help or other documentation.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.2) External iSight

HT2090 External iSight camera video feed working fine but mic is not working Mac Pro 2009 and Mountain Lion 10.8.4

Finally I decided to move forward and installed Mountain Lion 10.8.4 (with all the updates). Now I am facing a dilemma, my external iSight Camera is working fine regarding the video fee but the Mic is useless. I am using a Mac Pro 2009 and a Apple Cinema Display 30". I checked all the trends about iSight External devices but no one has a really specific solution for my problem. Firewire is not longer supported with Mountain Lion? By the way my iSight was working perfectly before. So I am wondering if something wrong happened with the OS and the support for this kind of device?   I reset the PRAM, the SMC, even I reinstalled the MAC OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4) from scratch. So I am wondering if the problem is that ML is not longer supporting this device or what is the issue here.
Hope someone can help me with it!
Thanks
Jalcom

Jalcom wrote:... Firewire is not longer supported with Mountain Lion?...
Not true. External iSight works fine with my '09 Mac Pro and 10.8.4.
Jalcom wrote:... So I am wondering if something wrong happened ...
So it must have.
Jalcom wrote: ... help me with it!...
You have tried several good things, but there may be other suggestions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 that you have not yet considered. Be sure to check more than one Apple app in more than one user account to help you pinpoint the cause of your trouble. Then you will know what to fix.
In addition to the Apple troubleshooting, check your  > System Preferences... > Sound > Input to verify that your iSight's mic is selected, not muted, and that its volume setting is properly adjusted. You may need to check this again after restarting Mac or changing apps that use the mic.
Also, be certain that the apps you are testing are configured to use iSight's mic. Different apps select the mic in different ways. For example, QuickTime X allow selection among various microphone alternatives via one of its preferences as shown in the image below:
(I was using my Display microphone and did not have my external iSight connected when I made this image. Therefore, there is no iSight mic shown in my list of mic choices above. If your iSight's mic is properly connected, turned on, and recognized by your Mac, iSight will show in your QTX microphone preference choice list.)
If you are trying to use your iSight with a Flash based web site, also check your Mac's  > System Preferences... > Flash Player > Camera and Mic settings to verify that your Flash system preferences are not blocking your mic.
Some other apps may offer mic and or camera selection via their application menus. If you have trouble finding out how to select the iSight internal mic in other apps, check each apps' Help or post back the name of the app whose selector you cannot locate here so we can try to help.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz OSX 10.8.4 24" LED Cinema Display          External iSights

External iSight cam not working with iChat

I've got an external iSight cam that was working fine in 10.5.8 with iChat - I'm using 10.6.1 now. Now when I open iChat, the camera stays off (no green light) and iChat video preview says that another application is using the camera so it's not available, which of course, is not true.
I've tried everything I know, but can't get it to work. The camera works with Skype, so I know it's functioning properly.
When I checked the Connection Doctor, under Network, it says that there's something in my network setup that is preventing video chats, but I haven't changed anything since upgrading to SL. I have a direct ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router - Covad. My wife's iChat works fine with her new LogiTech camera, and she's on the same home network/router.
Message was edited by: Macaroni108

Opps,
My head read that as MacBook Pro. Sorry.
Try Restarting the computer whilst Holding done the Apple (CMD)+ALT (OPTION)PR Keys until you have heard three start up Bongs.
Chax is an iChat Add-on.
Different version have done different things in the different iChat Versions.
There is only a Alpha test version of the one for Snow Leopard.
The iChat 4 version does not work in Snow Leopard/iChat 5 and that was why I was asking.
7:43 PM Monday; September 14, 2009
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Want to try and communicate via skype using external isight, but ichat kicks in everytime i plug in. any advice welcome

Hi, i am trying to set up with Skype using an external isight camera, but everytime i plug in Ichat keeps kicking in. Tried it on my os 10.4, 10.5.5 and 10.5.8 .. 10.5.5 Skype seems to not want to work at all, but the other 2, the problem seems to be with ichat bursting in whenever the camera is plugged in. thanks in advance for any help.

Hi,
In older versions of iChat there is a setting in iChat > Preferences > Video that enables the App to Start when an External camera is plugged in.
This can be unticked to stop this action launching the app.
As for Skype not working in some OS versions you may have to pay attention to the version of Skype that can be used.
I don't use Skype and have not kept abreast of the changes and how they might apply to the different versions of the OS.
8:43 pm Friday; September 20, 2013
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Using External iSight camera instead of built-in with iMovie

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