Using external webcam to record directly into iMovie

Adding to my previous post, take a look at my post in the thread from the link below:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251298783

The above thread refers to using an iPhone as an external camera, but the procedure should be the same for a webcam. It gives a detailed description of what I did to make my iPhone an external camera.

-- Rich

I don't wish to be the Prophet of Doom but I asked the same question in the Final Cut Pro X forum recently and the resounding answer was that it can't be done!

As iMovie and FCP X are very similar, it looks as though the answer may be the same for iMovie.

I would very much like to know if there is a simple method of using a webcam with either of the apps.

Incidentally I have just tried Rich's "AudioMIDI Setup" suggestion but it only works for audio.

Hi, Ian,

I don't have a webcam to test. However, I have not read anything to suggest that one can direct-record into iMovie from a webcam, unless possibly if your Mac does not have an internal Face Time camera. You can direct record into iMovie using the built in Face Time camera. Also, I have been able to use the iPhone to record footage into the Photos app on my iPhone through QuickTimePlayer by using QT's New Movie Recording feature. From there I can import the footage into iMovie using the import window. There were no audio sync problems. The OP wants to record directly into iMovie with a webcam, but you probably are right that that cannot be done.

-- Rich

I can't be certain but I seem to recollect that it was said FCP X (and presumably iMovie) needed a camera that generated timecode.

Certainly the FaceTime camera can be used but I find that the quality is extremely poor compared with even the cheapest Logitech 270 which I now use.

The OP didn't want to use QT because he had audio sync problems but I have found no evidence of this using my webcam.

Unless the plan is to stream the video to one's students in real time, I think it would be much easier to simply record the footage with one's ordinary camera and download the clip into iMovie, or upload it to a website where it can be accessed by the students.

-- Rich

I do want to stream live to my students. I bought a webcam because the internal FaceTime cam doesn’t produce good enough video quality. I tried what you suggested above but my video is not switching to use the external camera. Please help.

Try plugging in your camera and then going to Applications/Utilities/AudioMIDI Setup. Activate your camera in the left side bar. See if that works.

— Rich

My method did use QuickTimePlayer however. I realize you don’t want that, but you probably can use iMovie instead.

— Rich

To use iMovie, click on the import button and your webcam should show in the sidebar of the import window.

— Rich

Just going back to your second point.

Why are the audio and video not in sync when you use QT?

I have just run a test and the audio and video match perfectly.