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.

Similar Messages

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

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.

Isight cam with imac 24"

Will an isight work with my new imac 24"?
Was wanting to use it with AMSN.
Is the quality of the isight better than the inbuilt Imac 24" cam?
Thanks in advance!

as long as the camera is Firewire it will work. but whats wrong with you built-in one? i have used mine in my iMac G5 all the time(besides photobooth) nothing wrong. if you cant video chat with some they mite not have aim 5.9 or higer to use it. some IM programs have issues with iChat like Gaim(gay aim :)) and Trillion for example. whats the problem with your built in one anyways?

External isight camera with imovie on maverick?

Can someone please recommend an external iSight (or other) Camera to use which can record video directly into iMove on Maverick?
When trying to import a video, a drop down window shows the built-in iSight camera, as if options could possibly be available. If so, what might they be?
Thanks for any and all help!

You're welcome, Bill.
Bill Cruise wrote: ... camera ... compatible with iMovie ...
Use built-in iSight camera or a tape-based camera or camcorder: iMovie '11: Record video directly into iMovie.
If you have access to an old tape-based mini-DV camcorder with Firewire connection capability, you can use it. For example, my old Sony DCR-TRV17 and DCR-TRV70 camcorders work great with iMovie, both for import and, when connected via Firewire cable, for recording directly into iMovie. Both give better resolution than my old external Firewire iSights, and the camcorders offer the possibility of manual focus and zoom controls when needed.
As an alternative to recording directly into iMovie, record video and save movie files using QuickTimeX and a camera built into your Apple display or Mac, a DV camera connected via FireWire, and some USB webcams. Then Import the movie files into iMovie for editing.
Bill Cruise wrote: ... Apple iSight camera ... is no longer sold or supported by Apple... I may go ahead and buy one...
My external iSights (I have two) are great webcams, but they are getting old as consumer electronics go. Both of mine still work as well as they did when they were new. However, some previously owned or even NOS (new, old stock) iSights may have been damaged by rough treatment or improper storage.
An honest seller may offer you return or exchange privileges. If not, and if you don't want to spend the money to have your external iSight serviced, consider a new, Mac-compatible USB cam instead.
A new cam will include a current manufacturer's warranty, and a USB cam is not subject to the possible conflicts that can cause difficulties with the old Firewire-connected iSights.
Bill Cruise wrote:...Wonder why this info is so far to find? ...
It should not be. Let us know the specifics, and we will try to guide you to any other info you still need.
Bill Cruise wrote: ... better alternatives...using external cameras, and then importing the movie....works, but seems like quite a bit of extra hassle versus direct input to iMovie.
When your Mac recognizes more than one connected compatible camera, the others will also show in your a drop down window that shows the built-in iSight camera.
In fact the best alternative I have found for recording directly into iMovie is to use the built-in iSight camera in my MacBook Pros and my Apple LED Display. The resolution of any of these built-ins is better than the 640x480 of the old external Firewire iSights. The built-ins are also higher resolution than my old Sony camcorders.
As for your "extra hassle" comments, once you try using QuickTimeX and importing into iMovie, I doubt that you will find it a problem unless recording video is your primary use of your Mac. It is very easy to do, and you can use the QuickTime file as a good backup for your original source material that is easy to offload to a different disk for safekeeping.

Can I use separate iSight camera with MacBook Pro?

That's my question. I have an iSight and like the idea that it is moveable and I can show people my apartment! If I buy a new MacBook Pro (which I will) can I choose to use the external iSight? Can I choose either one if the external one is connected? etc..
thanks.

I can confirm that an external camera can be plugged into a MacBook Pro and selected in the Video section of ther iChat Preferences.
12:06 AM Friday; May 5, 2006

Compatability with adobe Reader 9.3; use of isight camera with skype

I cannot open pdf documents with A. Reader - get the message that it is not supported by this unit. How does one get the isight camera to be active when I log on to Skype?

Hi, you have 2 ?'s
(1) In Skype go to Preferences & check out your Video settings..
(2) PDF auto opens in Preview - if you want have Adobe Reader you will need to d/load from Adobe, then you will need to Right Click on the file & amend Open With or make A/Reader your default..L

Using External Boot Drive with New Intel Mac Mini

I have a 1st Gen MacMini and use an external 7200 RPM Lacie drive as the system boot drive along with all the applications.
If I were to purchase a new Intel Mac Mini, is it possible to use the current external drive as the system drive or is there some conversion steps that would be necessary ?
Thank you.

You can use the hardware, but will have to repartition and reinstall the OS from the disk shipped with the new Mac Mini.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303220
If you create a disk image of the Lacie on your Mini, you can later use setup assistant to restore users and applications from that image.

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

Using iSight camera with skype

Hi all,
can i use my iSight camera with Skype or any other program other than iChat?
thanks.

It works great with the new Yahoo Messenger.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
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HT3103 Is external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip?

Is the external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip

stewartmevans wrote:
Is the external iSight camera compatable with the intel chip
yes
However, if your Mac has only Firewire 800 ports, you need an adapter such as one of the following to connect your FW400 external iSight:
• This Firewire 400-800 cable can work: http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7041ZM/A (I use this one.)
• Some report that this low-priced alternative cable works:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189097
• To use your iSight's FW400 6pin-6pin cable, you can use a 6pin-9pin adapter like one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsbb6m (I successfully use this one, too.)
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz OSX 10.7.2 24" LED Cinema Display
iPad2 iOS 5.0.1 5th Gen AEBS
MBP 15" i7 (Early'11) OSX 10.7.2 External iSights
13" MBP (Mid'09) 2.26GHz OSX 10.7.2 iBook SE 366MHz OSX 10.3.9

How can I use the built-in Isight camera with an external camera (usb/firewire) at the same time?

How can I use the built-in Isight camera and an external video camera at the same time?
I'm wanting to stream over Oovoo/Skype/etc. using 2 cameras.
Thanks

Simple question with a not so simple answer.
(a) If you mean that you want to run multiple apps simultaneously using a different camera with each app, you may encounter computing power limitations. Digital video is processor intensive. The only way to know if your Mac can do this it to try it. If the video does not work together but each app works when it it the only app running, you are likely overloading your Mac's ability to process and/or move all the required data in your data bus. You can get a better indication of whether this is the case by watching your Activity Monitor utility while running the apps you want to use.
(b) If you mean that you want to have more than one compatible camera connected to your Mac simultaneously for ease of changing between video sources, some, but not necessarily all, apps you are using to operate your camera(s) allow you to select between your cameras.
How you select among connected cameras depends on which application you are using. Here is how camera selection works in a few examples:
(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:
If you cannot see the "Camera" choices bar, your Mac is recognizing only one (or none) of your cameras. In that case, consider the suggestions fromhttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 for iSight problems or refer to your other camera's documentation for help.
This particular choices bar solution applies ONLY to iChat. 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 HD's camera choice is NOT set via Preferences. When you have more than one compatible camera connected, iMovie6 HD uses a drop-down menu choice something like this (depending on which version of iMovie you use):
Note: Because I had no built-in iSight connected when I made this example, and because my external iSight was not connected, the drop-down menu showed only "Time Lapse." Because your Mac has a built-in iSight, your built-in iSight would show in the drop-down menu even when no other camera is connected. Connecting an additional Mac compatible webcam should allow you to choose either camera.
Other iMovie versions work slightly differently.
iMovie 9 (from iLife '11) uses a different camera choice button shown in this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/9.0/en/mov39f84285.html
iMovie 8 (from iLife '09) is slightly different as explained in this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/8.0/en/10172.html
In general, you can use your Mac's help for the application in use to find out how to select among more than one connected camera.
(3) Photo Booth in Snow Leopard 10.6.x and later uses the Photo Booth > Camera menu command to select which camera to use.
Note for readers with older Mac OS X: The previous version of Photo Booth that came with Tiger (10.4.x) is such a simple, basic app that it offers no menu selectable choice. Unless your built-in iSight is already occupied as 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 an external camera.
(If you have an external Firewire camera connected, it may be used in preference to any USB webcam. If that is a problem for you, merely disconnect the problem Firewire device.)
(4) For FaceTime, launch the app and click the Video menu item.
If your Mac recognizes more than one connected compatible camera, a "Camera" section listing the cameras from which you can choose will appear there. Clicking on the desired camera name will let you select the one you want as shown in this image from my Mac Pro and LED Cinema Display:
If your Mac recognizes only one compatible camera, the "Camera" section will not appear in the Video menu, but FaceTime will automatically use the connected camera that is recognized by OS X.
(5) I do not use Skype oir Oovoo. For those or other apps, see Help for each app for info on how to select your desired camera.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim

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

Missing video effects for iMac g5 w/ external iSight cam

I have a G5 iMac with an external iSight camera and I'm wondering why I do not have the option for video effects while using photo booth and iChat. My wife's macbook does include video effects, so my first bet is that Apple decided not to give me the option with my OS upgrade. Anyone have a way to remedy this without spending over 2K again?

DP, he has Photo Booth and Front Row, its the effects in iChat that he can't use, and I do think that's an intel function.

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

Using external isight camera with imac intel

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