iSight and Tinychat + Many Cam Problem! Please help

sjstevens5 wrote:
i have been able to use the tinychat.com online video/audio chat rooms but recently my webcam has nto been functioning properly on that site. My Photo Booth, Skype, etc.. all work perfectly fine with my webcam (built in iSight on my Macbook Pro) but I have also tried downloading ManyCam from ManyCam.com to try to revive my somehow lost iSight usage on tinychat. Instead of getting a small preview in the iSight box, i get the ManyCam logo and can no longer use my camera. I have read in another thread about some problems with flash so i put the GoogleTalk/Video/Voice plugins into the trash and did a "secure empty trash" (thats what i understand to be an "uninstall") and i am still having the same problem.

can anyone help me? how can i get my camera to work again? also, i installed the latest adobe flash player

Welcome to Discussions, sjstevens5

Your posted system info show you are using Mac OS X (10.5.8). My comments are based on that information being correct.

(1) You can uninstall ManyCam using its menu command. Help here:

  http://manycam.com/uninstall/mac/

Using as few third-party items as you must have helps minimize potential sources of conflict.

(2) Use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions. Unless the link below is where you got the Flash player you recently installed, download and Install the latest compatible version of Adobe Flash Player for your Mac OS from here:

  http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/

Repair permissions again as soon as the Flash install is complete.

If you are certain you have the correct one, proceed with the next step.

(3) If you have not yet installed Safari 5.0.3, do so now:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1070

Repair permissions again after the restart that completes the update. Then test iSight again using all relevant suggestions from Apple's Troubleshooting article:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090

(4) If your iSight still does not work, download and install the 10.5.8 Combo Update:

  http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate

Repair permissions again after the restart that completes the update. Then test iSight again.

(5) We will watch for your status update. If you need to post back for more help, tell us which apps you tested that worked and which did not. Also tell us whether the problem was EXACTLY the same in every user account you tested.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

sjstevens5 wrote:
... my photobooth and skype work fine with the isight so far as tested,

Then the problem is NOT with your iSight but with some other system component. Having eliminated iSight problems, we can concentrate on to the software that must be giving you trouble.

... but the green light comes ona nd i can see myself in the preview box for the option of "use built in iSight" on Tinychat.com but once i click that ...

I am not certain which "that" you click. 

*If you click:*

preview box for the option of "use built in iSight" on Tinychat.com

consider my last response in this post (regarding configuring Flash settings.)

*If you mean some other clicked item,* please post back and identify the item as clearly as you can.

... the green light goes off and i can no longer see myself once i select my microphone output and everything too..

iSight can only be used by one application at a time. If you are trying to use iSight with Tinychat in Safari at the same time you have Photo Booth or Skype open, quit all apps. Then, with no other apps open, launch Safari and try Tinychat again.

should i reset the SMC?

There is no need to reset the SMC when your iSight works with the Apple apps you tested.

... and what does that do exactly...

Only an Apple engineer can tell you that "exactly," but, as a minimum, resetting SMC for your MBP resets default values to the features and functions described in:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

still not working but i got rid of the ManyCam thumbnails on the preview and i can actually see myself in it, but once i click the myself the green light goes off and its just black.

If you have not yet used a Flash based video site, be sure your Adobe plugin settings are properly configured. If you don't know how to configure these settings, position (hover) the mouse pointer on the video window in your open browser page. Then control click to gain access to the Flash settings window and change settings to "Allow" your camera.

For detailed help with Flash settings, see this Adobe page: http://tinyurl.com/3dxvkk

If Tinychat still does not work, close the Tinychat web page and try a different Flash video site such as http://www.mebeam.com/ to see if that works for you.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

I am also having a similar problem with the built in iSight and Tinychat.

When I sign in to broadcast I click "allow" and then it shows the correct video in the preview, but then when it takes me back to the chat, it either doesn't show up, or only shows the microphone image and doesn't broadcast video.

Not sure what the problem is. Any help?

mfeldman wrote:
I am also having a similar problem with the built in iSight and Tinychat.

When I sign in to broadcast I click "allow" and then it shows the correct video in the preview, but then when it takes me back to the chat, it either doesn't show up, or only shows the microphone image and doesn't broadcast video.

Not sure what the problem is. Any help?

Welcome to Discussions, mfeldman

Did you click the "Remember" box? Did you configure both mic and cam, or only cam?

Perhaps the pictures and info in this thread will help you correctly configure your Flash settings:

  http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11921970&#11921970

For more help, this Adobe page gives detailed help for each configurable Flash parameters:

  http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help01.html

Study and follow those instructions and your Flash player should work in working web sites.

EZ Jim




Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

That looked like it was going to help. I configured the iSight camera, configured the microphone, unchecked the "Enable hardware acceleration" box, but it is still popping up as either static (snow) or just the microphone icon rather than streaming the video from my built-in iSight

here's a more complete description of what happens:
I log into the chatroom
I configure the settings to be "Built-in iSight" for the camera and "Built-in Microphone" for the mic
I click "Allow" on the privacy settings and check the "remember" box
I uncheck the "Enable hardware acceleration" under display
I click "Start Broadcast" and the dialogue box pops up, prompting me with the password.
I type in the password and it takes me to the "Select Your Camera" Screen.
The preview box for the built-in iSight camera shows what it should be showing (the video stream), and the green light next to the actual built-in iSight turns on.
Then it takes me through the audio settings, and I click Built-in iSight and push to talk.

But as soon as it takes me to the chat room again, the green light next to my iSight turns off again, and my broadcast box in the chatroom shows either static snow or just the microphone logo.
The audio is fine, but it won't display video.

mfeldman wrote:
That looked like it was going to help. I configured the iSight camera, configured the microphone, unchecked the "Enable hardware acceleration" box, but it is still popping up as either static (snow) or just the microphone icon rather than streaming the video from my built-in iSight

Try a couple of other Flash sites like mebeam or chatroulette

*If Flash works on other sites but not on tinychat*, and if you do not get the answers you need here, use tinychat's " Help and Contact" link to get site-specific help for tinychat. For instance, the tinychat FAQ

I cant seem to click "allow" on the flash prompt.

has an answer: " Go to (Privacy Settings panel), and select "Always allow" for tinychat.com". If that action does not resolve your issue, use the contact info there to get help directly from the source.

The tinychat people can either tell you how to make their product work with your system or they will be grateful for the trouble report so they can develop a fix for the problem you have encountered.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

Hi,

I configure the settings to be "Built-in iSight" for the camera

If it actually says Built-in iSight you have a problem.

The camera tab drop down should list things like DV, USB UVC complaint Camera and possibly IIDC Firewire as in this picture


(I also show iGlasses as it is "Seen" as an Input choice)

There seems to be an interaction between some versions of Flash and the Google Video Plug-in. (It also seems to vary from Site to Site which works and which does not)



8:16 PM Tuesday; November 23, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

I'm having this exact same problem. I recently installed the newest System Update. Maybe that played a roll in my iSight acting strange?

janishaa wrote:
I'm having this exact same problem. I recently installed the newest System Update. Maybe that played a roll in my iSight acting strange?

Welcome to Discussions, janishaa

The newest system updates for both Leopard and Snow Leopard have been out for some time now, and many users have no problem with them. The udates are not the cause of the "exact same problem".

Because your problem started when you installed your Mac OS X (10.5.8) update, if you are still having the problem after using all relevant suggestions already offered in this topic, you will need to be sure your download and installation were good.

(1) Apply the 10.5.8 Combo Update using the following process:



  • Backup your Mac and turn off Time Machine



  • Disconnect peripherals and restart Mac



  • Use Disk Utility to repair permissions



  • Download and install



   http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate



  • Repair permissions again immediately following the restart that finishes the update.



  • Test whether Flash works for you now.



 (• Turn Time Machine on later when you are satisfied that the update worked.)



(2) After applying the 10.5.8 update and trying all the other relevant suggestions, if you are still having problems, download and install the latest Flash player compatible with your system:



  http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/



Also check any other third-party browser plugins or other add ons. Apply all available updates and uninstall any third-party items that are known to be incompatible with your system.

(3) Then test again. If your iSight still does not work with Flash based video sites, restart Mac and test iSight function using the troubleshooting suggestions from here:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090

Use at least a couple of Apple apps (Photo Booth, iMovie, etc.) and test in more than one use account. If iSight works with Apple apps you can eliminate a possible iSight hardware problem.

(4) We will watch for your status update.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

I had this exact problem too, and just fixed it now by removing Google Camera Adaptor. I followed these instructions:
http://gasubasu.com/2009/11/23/kill-google-camera-adapter-on-mac-os/

Thanks Ralph for the tip off about google camera adaptor!

No Problem.

Thank you for the Thanks.



7:59 PM Thursday; November 25, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"