Catalina update 10.15.7 broke webcam in Google Meet (Chrome and Safari)

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Level 2

428 points

Catalina update 10.15.7 broke webcam in Google Meet (Chrome and Safari)

Blackmagic Web Presenter makes SDI and HDMI video equipment appear as a USB webcam. It was working fine for months on Sierra (2009 iMac) and Catalina (new iMac) until Mac OS 10.15 was updated recently to 10.15.7. Now it keeps disconnecting. It did this previously only once in a while. Now it happens every second as shown in this video: https://vimeo.com/546630238/117d731dfc

It happens in both Safari and Chrome. I can get the Blackmagic Web Presenter audio input to stay connected only if I turn off the camera in Google Meet. It works better in Zoom but still disconnects every few minutes.

We are heavily invested in BM ATEM and Converters. Web Presenter is the core equipment that enables us to do have virtual participants in our venue and as an educational environment, Google Meet is the core video conferencing.

Any ideas to resolve this issue?

[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Serial Number]

Posted on May 7, 2021 5:48 PM

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Answer 1

Ernest House Author

Level 2

428 points

Jul 1, 2021 3:34 PM in response to mario49

Just to close this out, the problem seems to be the Catalina update. Upgrading to Big Sur solved the problem. I changed nothing other than the OS.

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Answer 2

mario49

Community Specialist

May 11, 2021 8:19 AM in response to Ernest House

Hey Ernest House,

Thank you for the update. Since this began only after the macOS update, there may be an update that is needed for the webcam from Blackmagic Design.

Are other USB devices working when connected to the computer?

If the issue is isolated only to this one USB device, you may need to contact Support Center | Blackmagic Design directly.

Keep us posted.

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Answer 3

mario49

Community Specialist

May 8, 2021 1:43 PM in response to Ernest House

Hello Ernest House,

After reviewing your post, it seems like you have a USB Device connected but it will randomly disconnect. There are a couple things you can try that may be able to help. We would recommend you read these articles and use them to help troubleshoot the issue.

If a USB device doesn’t work with Mac

How to reset the SMC of your Mac

Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need additional assistance.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Have a nice day.

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Answer 4

BenR1317

Level 1

18 points

Jun 25, 2021 11:45 AM in response to Ernest House

Ernest,

Did you ever find a solve for this, having same issue, machine running 10.15 does work anymore, but machine running 10.16 works perfectly.

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Answer 5

Ernest House Author

Level 2

428 points

May 10, 2021 11:23 AM in response to mario49

Thanks @mario49 but as expected, those things did nothing the solve the problem. I did all of them and nothing changed. The Catalina UPDATE to 10.15.7 broke the Blackmagic Web Presenter USB webcam for Google Meet on MacOS on both Safari and Chrome.

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Answer 6

Ernest House Author

Level 2

428 points

Jun 25, 2021 12:16 PM in response to BenR1317

Google and Blackmagic said in effect "Wait, you updated the OS and it stopped working so you think it's our product?" They have a point. We resolved the issue by abandoning Chrome and Google Meet. Thanks for letting me know about Big Sur working.

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Catalina update 10.15.7 broke webcam in Google Meet (Chrome and Safari)

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