Vivitar Mini Digital Camera not compatible with iMac?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Vivitar Mini Digital Camera not compatible with iMac?

I bought this Vivitar Mini Digital Camera the other day, and it came with software that isn't compatible with my computer. I checked out a few boards, and a few more boards, only to find out that other people with Macs were having the same problem. No one really had a solution for this problem. I connected the USB cable, and tried to see if maybe iPhoto or Image Capture would allow me to import photos. Neither one would. The software that came with the camera say "Arcsoft Photo Impression4.0". On one of the message boards, I remember someone posting something about not to even bother downloading it online because it wouldn't work. I looked on Google for hours, and can't seem to find anyone with answers. Thought I'd throw it out here and see if anyone can help. If not, guess I'm returning the camera!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Mar 30, 2008 8:54 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

210,777 points

Mar 31, 2008 11:38 AM in response to PatrickRy81

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Does the camera have a removable memory card? If so then use a card reader with it and iPhoto will import them.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Reply

Answer 2

Dave E

Level 4

1,250 points

Mar 31, 2008 1:03 PM in response to PatrickRy81

If I'm not mistaken, this is the little keychain camera (sometimes attached to a key chain) branded by several companies including Vivitar. They can be found in drugstores for as little as $8 but are commonly given with subscriptions or some promotion or the other.

I had one, it was impossible to get the images off it into the Mac - whatever they are using is proprietary AND the accompanying software is limited and probably very low budget. I know I could not get iPhoto or Image Capture to see it at all.

Reply

Answer 3

PatrickRy81 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 31, 2008 7:18 PM in response to Dave E

You got it exactly. Cheap camera so its no biggie that I have to return it. It's giving me a headache looking for stuff online, and finding nothing but dead ends. I bought it just for fun..not having any yet !!

Reply

Answer 4

PatrickRy81 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 31, 2008 7:21 PM in response to Old Toad

Nope no memory card. It was a $10 key chain camera. That's why I'm not gonna go all crazy trying to find a program for it. If there's not one out there, and I don't seem to be finding one, I'm just going to return it. Thanks for the heads up!

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 8, 2008 10:04 PM in response to PatrickRy81

I've got this same camera (but the Innovage branded one) and I used VMWare Fusion to install the software for it and get the images out in Windows. And that works and the camera does end up being pretty fun. You can get some really bizarre images from it.

Some people have also said that you can use command line tools to get the images from it.

Reply