EdinMPLS wrote:
First of all, thanks for the responses.
You're welcome.
I just find it confusing that apple 1) makes a computer with a video camera ...
Perhaps understanding a few facts will reduce your confusion.
The Macs with the built-in camera are a fairly recent development. In fact, these Macs were introduced at (approximately) the same time Apple introduced iLife '06, which includes the iMovie version compatible with built-in iSight.
... 2) installs movie software that ...
iMovie is part of iLife, which is sold separately:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/ (current version)
The fact that iMovie and other iLife apps are bundled with current Macs is a bonus for the customer.
iLife was not bundled with some older Macs, but owners of older Macs that meet iLife system requirements can add the versions they need. Note that many requirements, not only camera compatibility, differ for different iLife versions.
If you consider adding the current iLife, check your MacBook Pro's specifications against iLife '09's system requirements:
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP515
... 3) doesn't work with the built-in camera. I know, I know, different versions, usb vs. FW, etc. Still seems crazy to me.
The software that came with the Mac you bought
did work with the built-in camera.
It is important to consider system requirements for any software you add to your computer. As regards older software versions like iMovie 4 and built-in iSight, I think it impossible that any software could be made to be compatible with hardware that has not yet been developed as of the software release date.
Based on this information, I hope that this lack of compatibility no longer seems as "crazy" to you as it initially did.
Here's another question: I bought this used, and migrated my old data on to it. Now, did it transfer the "old" version of iMovie from my old computer (iBook) when it transferred the data?
The answer will depend on how you "migrated." If you migrated your files manually, only those things you personally moved will be transferred.
If you used Migration Assistant, the answer is likely yes. This article may be of interest:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1963
Is it possible this newer computer still has a newer version of iMovie hidden somewhere in its bones?
This answer, too, depends on what you did. If you erased the used disk before you began using it, a newer version of iMovie will only be there if you reinstalled it or "restored" your MBP using the disks that originally came with it.
If you did not erase, all iMovie versions that currently reside on your MBP should be in your Mac's "Applications" folder unless someone has moved them.
With Leopard (OS X 10.5) being comprised of hundreds of thousands of files, finding individual files manually is unlikely. At this time, your best choice is to look at the disks that came with your MBP. If you got an iLife DVD, you can install the version that came with your MBP now.
EZ Jim
MacPro QuadCore(Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/MacOSX (10.6.4)
MacBookPro(13inch,Mid2009) 2.26GHz(10.6.4)
LED Cinema Display G4PowerBook 1.67GHz(10.4.11)
iBookSE366MHz(10.3.9) External iSight
