Is there a way to turn off and On the isight camera or app to do it ?????

Globalmark wrote:
... SO is there a Basic app or even a Way of making the isight disabler work like a simple app - or a way to do with Mac's settings ??

Although I do not recommend it, you can manually disable your built-in iSight
by removing the "QuickTimeUSBVDCDIgitizer.component" file from your computer's
HardDriveName > System > Library > QuickTime folder and restarting your Mac.
Your built-in iSight should no longer work with any app.

Last Chance Rand wrote:

Although I do not recommend it, you can manually disable your built-in iSight
by removing the "QuickTimeUSBVDCDIgitizer.component" file from your computer's
HardDriveName > System > Library > QuickTime folder and restarting your Mac.
Your built-in iSight should no longer work with any app.

Does not work for me whether I rename or move this file. Any other software option to disable the camera?

Here's a way to turn on and off your camera if you know how to use the terminal program.

I've been all over the web to find junk that doesn't work. I have 10.6.8 and this works just as it should:

To disable the camera - access the terminal as root

Enter the following 3 commands:

chmod 000 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServices.framework/Versions/A/Reso urces/VDC.plugin/Contents/MacOS/VDC

chmod 000 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/MacOS/VDC

chmod 000 /System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeUSBVDCDigitizer.component/Contents/MacOS/Qui ckTimeUSBVDCDigitizer

To enable the camera - access the terminal as root

Enter the following 3 commands:

chmod 755 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServices.framework/Versions/A/Reso urces/VDC.plugin/Contents/MacOS/VDC

chmod 755 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework/Versions /A/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/MacOS/VDC

chmod 755 /System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeUSBVDCDigitizer.component/Contents/MacOS/Qui ckTimeUSBVDCDigitizer

Hi Globalmark,

I had the same problem. I had installed KeyLemon software that does face rcognition for security purposes but I was less than thrilled, so I uninstalled it. However, after re-booting, the green LED at the top of my screen remained lit indicating that my iSight camera was on. I was able to get it turned off and now it only comes on as needed, for example when using FaceTime. However, it was non-trivial. Here's how I did it. (Details follow the summarry.)

BTW, I am using a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.7.4

I moved the iSight component from the System Library, rebooted, moved the component back again, rebooted once more and now it is back to normal.

The details:

Open a terminal session

su to root

mkdir /System/Library/QuickTime/.iSightBackup

mv /System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeUSBVDCDIgitizer.component <A SPACE GOES HERE> /System/Library/QuickTime/.iSightBackup/

logout

reboot

when you are operational again,

once again

Open a terminal session

su to root

mv /System/Library/QuickTime/.iSightBackup/QuickTimeUSBVDCDIgitizer.component <A SPACE GOES HERE> /System/Library/QuickTime/

logout

reboot

Test it using photo booth or face time or something you can trust that uses the camera. The LED should only come on when using the application.

This worked for me, but I suspect that the solution proposed by GetTheFacts321 would do equally well.

"Then perhaps you need to ask your question clearly."

The question is quite clear, and any confusion you had was due to an unwarranted assumption you made: that there's no problem if any application that is designed to can use the camera.

A fairly computer savvy person would always understand the assumption Globalmark has made, as i have and many others have in this post. I understand that he might to disable the camera function for his own reasons. I myself have a situation where i don't want anyone who uses my computer to be able to skype, photobooth, what have you app that uses the camera.

GettheFacts321 & tc124, thank you for answering the question. All you others, get smarter and stop trolling!

I've heard that hakkers can enter your computer and use your camera to view ..I was wondewring if you can turn it off manually until you want to use it.

Think I'll go with tape..

Actually tape won't work with a macbook pro...it dims the screen if the camera is covered up. And....fyi it is possible for others to view you thru your camera. So...any other ways to turn it off? Thanks!

So...no. You're welcome!

Most of you seem to be missing the point of the original poster's question: what if I *want* to turn off the camera light whilst leaving the camera running? I have installed Air Cam on my MacBook and iPhone, so if Mac is stolen I can see and film the thief from my iPhone. OK, so call me paranoid #1. But if the camera light is on, that tips off said thief that they are being filmed. OK, so call me paranoid #2. Is there a way to do this?

OK, so no.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.5

Righto. It would be good if we could. Hello Apple? Is anyone listening?

pringbat1 wrote: ... Hello Apple? Is anyone listening?

Send your comments or suggestions directly to Apple via Product Feedback.  You will not likely get a direct answer, but you can be confident that Apple will see your input for consideration in future product offerings.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.5