Macbook Air M1 external webcam

I got a MacBook Air M1 (8 Core GPU, 1 TB, 16GB RAM), and since I got it, I've been having trouble with external cameras (especially in Zoom, but experiencing it all through the machine).

I've tried my Blackmagic Design ATEM mini, Logitech C920 HD, and several apps to use my phone as a web cam.

All of them exhibit dropped frames, freezing, and general slowdowns for the rest of the MacBook Air.

I've also experienced slow downs while streaming video from Wisita (haven't seen any issues with Youtube or Vimeo, but haven't really tried anything there this week).

Any advice or suggestions on this?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 10, 2020 5:31 PM

Top-ranking reply

Ianthomas8328

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jan 12, 2021 8:55 AM

I found it was ok when plugged directly into the MBP M1 with a USB a-c adapter. When the camera is plugged into my LG external screen acting as a usb hub and then the screen connecting to the mbp via usbC then it is flakey and freezes after a few seconds.

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33 replies

Apr 9, 2021 3:49 PM in response to thejethro

Same problem.

MBA M1

Logitech C920

Worked fine on my Intel MBA

Feb 15, 2021 12:35 PM in response to JMcNestrie

I'm having the same issues. I have 10 year old Macbook air that doesnt have that problem. Its definitely an M1 issue. Ive tried updating Zoom, the external driver, reinserting, restarting, even trying 3 different external cameras, etc. It tends to happen mostly on Zoom and if you select HD video on the Zoom Setting it gets worse. I hope Apple updates the video OS on M1 to avoid these issues.

Dec 15, 2020 9:22 AM in response to thejethro

Hello, thejethro.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

From your post, we understand you're having troubles using your external camera on the MacBook Air M1. We'd be glad to help. First, check and make sure that both the apps being used and the cameras are compatible with the M1. You may need app updates or updated drivers.

Try also seeing if this occurs in a new user account: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

Are you using Rosetta 2 to run these apps? If you need to install Rosetta on your Mac

Keep us updated and we'll go from there.

Cheers!

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Macbook Air M1 external webcam