Isight only choice for BTV, Quicktime Video Capture

Question

Level 1

104 points

Isight only choice for BTV, Quicktime Video Capture

Until I installed an iSight camera, I could capture video from TV via USB and Quicktime, Interview, or BTV.

With iSight connected, Quicktime's "video source" choice is "iSight" or "Automatic".

In BTV and Interview, the only option for "video source" available is "iSight". The other video source options are grayed-out.

How do I get the video input options back?

Dual 2 Ghz PowerPC G5, Mac OS X (10.5.1), RAM 3GB; HD 860GB; Safari 3.0.4;

Posted on Feb 18, 2008 4:22 AM

Reply

Answer 1

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Feb 18, 2008 9:00 AM in response to yattaman

Hello yattaman

Here are a few ideas you can consider and try if you have not already done so.

(1) Because installing an iSight is the same as plugging it in, have you tried unplugging iSight to see whether the other sources then return as valid choices after you restart your Mac? If so, you can launch and select what you want for the other apps, plug in your iSight again, and launch the app you plan to use with iSight to see if you can use all at the same time.

(2) You may have be experiencing hardware or software conflicts with iSight that sometime occur for users of multiple Firewire devices or those who use third-party AV software like you may have. If so, the best workaround I know is to only connect iSight or the conflicting device when you need to use it. In some cases, uninstalling conflicting third-party software may be required if you need to use iSight.

(3) If nothing else works, and if you must use all your third-party apps and hardware simultaneously with your webcam, you might want to try using a USB webcam. Because you use Leopard, any of the new "UVC" webcams will work with your Mac without installing third-party software or drivers. Adding another USB device may cause slower video performance if you need to share available USB bandwidth, but it may avoid the conflict that appears to be resulting from using your Firewire iSight.

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

Reply

Answer 2

yattaman Author

Level 1

104 points

Apr 2, 2008 2:44 AM in response to EZ Jim

EZ Jim wrote:
Here are a few ideas you can consider and try if you have not already done so.
(1) ... have you tried unplugging iSight to see whether the other sources then return as valid choices after you restart your Mac?
(2) ... so, the best workaround I know is to only connect iSight or the conflicting device when you need to use it. In some cases, uninstalling conflicting third-party software may be required if you need to use iSight.
(3) If nothing else works, and if you must use all your third-party apps and hardware simultaneously with your webcam, you might want to try using a USB webcam

I disconnected the iSight camera from the cable.
Quit Skype. Restarted.

Quicktime Pro 7.4.1:
"Video source" options are grayed out. Alert message: "No recording device found. Make sure the recording device is plugged in and not in use by another application."

BTV:
Alert message: "Could not initialise the video hardware."

iSight completely takes over video input.
I have searched for a kind of application "video capture manager" or "iSight device manager" and cannot find any application.

So, now I have iSight capability and no other options for video capture from a TV or VCR.

Reply

Answer 3

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Apr 2, 2008 7:57 AM in response to yattaman

Thanks for the new info, yattaman

I do not see a question in your latest post, but it seems to me that your TV capture device or its software is probably conflicting with iSight or your other applications.

The software that you use to drive your iSight always "takes over video input" while it is in use, so that may be your problem. As explained in this Apple kBase article, iSight can be used by one application at a time.

If you are using only one app at a time but still have the problem, be sure all your software, including the TV capture software and QuickTime are up-to-date. If your problem persists, the only suggestion I can offer is that you disconnect your TV capture device and uninstall any software that was installed with it. Carefully follow the instructions for uninstalling in its documentation. If the problem goes away when the TV capture device is not installed and returns when you install it again, that device, or its software, is the source of your problem. If the problem remains, the only workaround I know is to uninstall the conflicting device / software while you need to use the other applications that experience the problem you describe.

If you do not get the help you need here, you may be able to find additional help from the "Support" section of the web site for your TV capture device. Some of them even have a dedicated forum for users of their product.

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

Reply