Black shimmering spots and blotches from my built in iSight camera.

Question

Level 1

4 points

Black shimmering spots and blotches from my built in iSight camera.

Whilst speaking to someone on Skype earlier in Windows 7 via Boot Camp the person I was talking to noticed three or four black spots on the screen. I booted into Mac OS X and the camera was still showing the black marks. I wiped the screen well to eliminate any chance of dust etc. but the black marks were still there. From what I could see there were no signs of dust between the screen and the camera lens. Oddly, these black anomalies have a strange shimmering effect which makes me suspect that it's a hardware problem with the camera. Has anyone else experienced this? I've only had my iMac from new in late November 2011.

Below are Obviously, the attached image doesn't show the shimmering effect:

...literally after taking that photo using the iSight camera a few more dots appeared. Any advice would be welcomed in regards to this.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, 4 GB

Posted on Apr 7, 2012 11:29 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 7, 2012 1:25 PM in response to Garrod

Hi,

Like your screen can display things on a pixel basis your camera takes pics the same way.

This means that like a screen an individual pixel can fail.

As you seem to have excluded black dots on the paper, on the Display itself or in front of the lens then the chances are then that several of the pixels have failed.

(when I tried the piece of paper I used had the odd black dot on it. Also the Display was not as clean as it could be and it too me a while to move things around to eliminate those.)

If it is still within warranty you may want to send it back.

You will need to talk to Apple at some point.

Although you may not like it there will be a "Failure" cut off point where they will decide whether or not to replace the camera.

Part of this will be based on what parts they replace. It is not uncommon for the whole Screen assembly to be replaced in Laptops (it makes it a much quicker job than accessing just the camera)

9:25 PM Saturday; April 7, 2012

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

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 2

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Apr 8, 2012 6:56 AM in response to Garrod

Hello, Garrod.

I suggest you restart your iMac in OS X, and then use Apple's Troubleshooting article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 to test your iSight with more than one Apple software application. You can use QuickTime Player, Photo Booth, iMovie, etc.

Also test these same apps more than one user account. Don't use the "Guest" account. If your Mac only has one account, create a new user account for testing.

If you view exhibits the same spots when testing in OS X as when you are booted into Windows via Boot Camp, contact your retailer, Apple, or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider to have your iMac checked.

If the problem occurs only with Windows and you cannot find a fix for the software that is involved, consider installing Skype for Mac OS X to see if it will work "spotlessly" when you Skype while booted into OS X.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.7.3

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Answer 3

Garrod Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 7:03 AM in response to EZ Jim

As I mentioned in my original post, I did boot into Mac OS X (I only really use Windows 7 via Boot Camp for games) and I still had the same problem. I already use Skype for Mac OS X. It was only yesterday that I used the camera (which I very rarely do) that the person I was speaking to pointed out the problem, hence the fact I did not notice it earlier.

I followed the steps in your advice but to no avail - the problem still persists. Looks like a trip to see a professional methinks.

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Answer 4

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Apr 8, 2012 11:23 AM in response to Garrod

Garrod wrote: ... Looks like a trip to see a professional methinks.

Agreed! Your camera problem can be corrected. I think you are wise to get it corrected while under warranty.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.7.3

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Answer 5

Apr 8, 2012 11:33 AM in response to EZ Jim

Hi,

(Tacking on to EZ Jim's post to keep them in order.)

I also agree.

However I would also restate that what you think is unacceptable may not match what Apple thinks.

I would point out if those 4 marks we can see in the example pic are the ones you mean, then these are in the most likely area your face is going to be in iChat/Messages beta, Photo Booth, Skype, Screen Recordings in Quicktime or shots iMovie.

It will not only be about the number of pixels involved. It will be about where they are.

7:33 PM Sunday; April 8, 2012

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

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 6

Garrod Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 2:05 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Since I posted my original message the dark spots have got slightly worse - whenever I'm on camera there are a few more that have appeared that cover my forehead, nose and cheeks. If I don't move around too much when I'm on camera it looks like I've got some sort of middle-aged acne! Methinks a booking at the nearest Genius bar is in order.

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Answer 7

Apr 8, 2012 2:15 PM in response to Garrod

Definitely sounds like a plan

10:14 PM Sunday; April 8, 2012

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

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 8

Garrod Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2012 2:23 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

The one thing that is really puzzling me is why and how has this suddenly started to happen? I've owned a few iMacs with iSight cameras and Windows PCs that have had USB webcams (of varying quality) over that last few years and never once have I experienced this before. It's strange how it's just started to happen. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had this sort of thing happen to them before, be it with an iSight camera or a third party webcam.

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Answer 9

Apr 9, 2012 10:48 AM in response to Garrod

HI,

It's not something I have seen reported for some while.

EZ Jim may know more as he spends more time in this forum than I do.

As I was also talking about screen/displays having an issue with pixels, it is also a while since I saw anyone mentioning "frozen" ones of those either.

6:48 PM Monday; April 9, 2012

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

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply