Video Quality is Degrading

I frequently iChat with my son in another state. Neither of us has changed any settings, but lately the video quality on his end has degraded. Specifically, the lighting behind him has gotten brighter, as if the camera aperture has widened. Is it possible that some light sensor is wearing out? Is there anything we can do (short of changing the entire room configuration to eliminate any light source behind him) to fix this?

badfan wrote:
I frequently iChat with my son in another state. Neither of us has changed any settings, but lately the video quality on his end has degraded. Specifically, the lighting behind him has gotten brighter, as if the camera aperture has widened. Is it possible that some light sensor is wearing out?
I do not think this is possible if he is using a built-in iSight. Lighting for built-in iSight is controlled by software rather than an adjustable camera aperture. However, an Apple-Authorized Service Provider has the necessary tools, test equipment, and technical data needed to check for possible sensor problems.
Your son should test whether other users notice the same problem in his iChat video. If others do not see the same problem you note, the trouble may be at your end.
If the problem is noted by everyone who does video iChat with your son, consider whether the changing light might be due to seasonal changes in the room your son uses. If that is a possibility, and if your son cannot reduce the amount of light coming in through doors or windows, he can try to make his room more evenly lighted by adding more light to the room.
Is there anything we can do (short of changing the entire room configuration to eliminate any light source behind him) to fix this?
(1) A single good light source in a well-lit room gives the picture in iChat. For more info, see:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3097
(2) Your son can test his iSight to see if it needs service by using all relevant suggestions here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
Be sure to check more than one app in more than one user account.
(3) iChat is part of Mac OS X. Consider the possibility that system softwares needs to be updated. Both of you should be using the latest available software for the OS X version you use.
I see your posted info shows that you are using Mac OS X (10.4.9). Unless you have complelling reason for doing so, you should update to the latest version of Tiger to obtain its many improvements. Which you use depends on the processor in your iMac:
For iNtel Mac: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL172
For PPC iMac: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL170
If your son uses Leopard (10.5.x), use this combo updater:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL866
If your son uses Snow Leopard (10.6.x), use this combo updater:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1048
Regardless of which combo update you or your son apply, use the Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions immediately *before _and again_ after* applying the update.
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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https://discussions.apple.com/message/12073794#12073794
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Example B
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Example C
Compressor set to 13 Mbps Average and 15 Mbps Maximum, Frame Encoder settings ON, using “Better (Linear Filter) and Better (Motion adaptive)” settings. Multipass checked. DeInterlace was checked. Unknown hours to encode; about 8 hours done overnight..
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Example D
Compressor Auto settings,i.e., 15 Mbps Average and 17 Mbps Maximum, Frame Encoder settings ON, using “Better (Linear Filter) and Better (Motion adaptive)” settings. Multipass checked. Approximately 12 hours to encode, done overnight. Inserted disc next morning after the overnight encoding was completed, and a few minutes later an error message pane appeared that the maximum bit rate had been exceeded. This message was consistent with the Apple posted thread referenced above. Unfortunately the long overnight encoding was wasted.
It seemed to me that the best Compressor settings for suppressing the motion artifacts were displayed by the disc burned in Example C, i.e., 13/15 Ave/Max Mbps with“Better” Motion settings in the Frame Encoder.
However, when this disc was compared to the AVCHD Disc burned using the FCPro Share, the latter still seemed much better. I do not know what the auto bit rate values are as set in FC Pro, but for me, the quality is quite good AND the motion artifacts are significantly reduced, especially evident with the scrolling text.
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Thanks in advance for Feedback and Recommendations. For now, I’m going to stay with the simpler process using Final Cut Pro Share function.
BoBo

Thank You, Brad, for responding; glad to hear I'm not the only one having similar Compressor issues.
You may have hit on something. Perhaps Compressor's use of H.264 encoding was the reason for my motion artifacts? And perhaps Final Cut Pro Share retains the 1440x1080 quality as it burns the AVCHD BluRay disc?
I had Toast 10 for less than 30 days a couple of years ago, and was lucky to get a refund.
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