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

The source page for this approach, http://techslaves.org/isight-disabler/

does not show an update for OS X 10.9 -- at least not yet. 

Keep checking there or contact them directly to see if they are working on a newer version.

It seems like Apple changed some of the places where the plugin is stored. The following worked for me:

to disable

chmod 000 /Library/CoreMediaIO/Plug-Ins/DAL/AppleCamera.plugin/Contents/MacOS/AppleCamera

chmod 000 /Library/CoreMediaIO/Plug-Ins/FCP-DAL/AppleCamera.plugin/Contents/MacOS/AppleCa mera

to enable change the 000 to 755. You need to be logged in as root, or alternatively write sudo before chmod.

Cheers.

BTW, this is for MacOS X Mavericks (10.9) on a MacBook air from mid-2013.

Many thanks I couldn't get this to work by changing the permissions though I'm sure that's just a user error on my part. I did however move the files on to my desktop, delete from the original locations and restart. This worked perfectly. Replacing the files and restarting reversed the process.

Is there anyone with vastly better scripting skills than me able to turn this into a simple process like iSight disabler? 

thanks. this is the first solution that works for me (i'm on Mavericks 10.9.1).

An Applescripted version wuld be great. I'll spend a few minutes on it. Fingers crossed

Hi,

I had my iSight camera for three years, but only learned this recently. ;-)

Gently rotate the front of the lens counter-clockwise (when the lens is pointed at you). The green indicator light will shut off. If you rotate the lens clockwise, the green light will come on.

Note that the green light will only activate or deactivate if there is an iSight app running, like facetime.

Hope that helps....

Dr Dave. wrote: ... I had my iSight camera for three years, but only learned this recently....

iSight User Guide (Manual)

It seems that iSight Disabler 5.0 is for Maverics...

http://techslaves.org/downloads/2010/03/isightdisabler5.scpt_.zip

davidhq wrote:

 

It seems that iSight Disabler 5.0 is for Maverics...

 

 

http://techslaves.org/downloads/2010/03/isightdisabler5.scpt_.zip

 

Correct.  That, and versions for earlier Mac OS, too,

are avaiable at http://techslaves.org/isight-disabler/.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.9

Global,

I do this by issuing the following command as root when I want it to be 'unplugged' and unavailable:

chmod -R 000 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreMediaIO.framework/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/ Resources/VDCAssistant

I issue this command when I want to turn it on:

chmod -R 000 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreMediaIO.framework/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/ Resources/VDCAssistant

Or...copy and paste the below script into a document and save it.

1. From a terminal, type chmod 755 [Document Name].
2. type: bash [Document Name]

It will ask you for the sysadmin [password to make these changes.

Run it once, it kills any cams and disables the device (shows as unplugged) and says so to you. Run it again, it plugs it back in.

In the interest of full disclosure it is possible for something else to do the same thing (as root), it's just less likely since your addressing it at the file system layer instead of up at the application layer. This is slightly less secure than physically disconnecting it.

#!/bin/bash

#               WRITTEN BY MJVona       
#               PURPOSE:
#
#               TO 'UNPLUG' THE iSITE CAMERA ON A MAC
#               FROM THE FILE SYSTEM
#               IT WILL ASK YOU FOR THE ROOT PASSWORD
#               USE:
#               type bash disable_camera.sh, the camera will be disabled.
#               type it again, the camera is enabled.
#
#########################April 2/2014#########################

[ "$UID" -eq 0 ] || exec sudo bash "$0" "$@"
#This script written by Matthew Vona
#Disables and re-enables the apple I-Sight Camera.
state=`stat /System/Library/Frameworks/VideoToolbox.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/VTDeco derXPCService.xpc | awk '{ print $3}'`
exec=`grep -o "x" <<<"$state" | wc -l `
#echo "my state is $state"
if [ "$exec" -gt 0 ]; then
        {
                unset -v enabled
        }
                else
        {
                enabled="1"
        }
fi
#.
VDC_PATH="/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreMediaIOServicesPrivate.framework /Versions/A/Resources/AVC.plugin"
QT_PATH="/System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeUSBVDCDigitizer.component"
if [ -z $enabled ]; then
{
        chmod -R 444 $VDC_PATH
        chmod -R 444 $QT_PATH
        chmod -R 444 /System/Library/Frameworks/VideoToolbox.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/VTDeco derXPCService.xpc
        chmod -R 000 /System/Library/Frameworks/VideoToolbox.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/VTDeco derXPCService.xpc
        user_prc=`ps -ef | grep VDCAssistant | grep -v grep | awk '{print $2}'`
        kill -9 $user_prc
        chmod -R 000 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreMediaIO.framework/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/ Resources/VDCAssistant
        say "camera has been disabled"
}
else
{
        chmod -R 755 $VDC_PATH
        chmod -R 755 $QT_PATH
        chmod -R 755 /System/Library/Frameworks/VideoToolbox.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/VTDeco derXPCService.xpc
        chmod -R 755 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreMediaIO.framework/Resources/VDC.plugin/Contents/ Resources/VDCAssistant
        say "Camera has been enabled"
}
fi

A gentle reminder for Globalmark (if you are still watching this very old thread...) and other readers:

Moving, renaming, or deleting files outside your Username/Documents folder, whether manually or by using OS X Terminal Utility commands like those recommended above, is generally a BAD idea unless you are expert enough to KNOW how your actions will effect your OS X Mac.

If you are not comfortable using Terminal, you should carefully consider whether to follow Terminal instructions from any but a source you trust.

EZ Jim,

I would say that it is FAR safer for a user to learn to use the script and learn what it does, than to download apps from odd websites that may or may not do the same thing.

Just my $.02

Cyborger80 wrote: ... Just my $.02

Cheers for that.  Readers can compare yours with mine.

EZ Jim

Sheez I hate to go low-tech on you guys but sometimes low-tech is easier, and faster. This is the one of those times.

Get yourself a small piece of paper and fold it in half and place it over the camera on the top of the iMac. Slide it to the left when you need to use the camera. Slide it back when you're done.

iSight Disabler 5 now claims to support Mavericks

People are always wanting to turn off (that means DISABLE) their webcam for all applications...  because some applications start up and reset their settings to automatically turn it back on even after you've turned it off in that application.  Skype is one that does this on both Windows and OS X systems.

I was also seeking an answer to this question

<Edited by Host>