Why does my live video feed slow?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

First, judging by the OS X version listed in your profile, you probably have a 2006 - 2007 or maybe early 2008 MacBook.

The early MacBooks have the GMA950 or GMA3100 video chipset, and are limited to 64MB shared video RAM.

You're stuck with this. There are no upgrades.

Second, you might still have just 512MB or 1GB of system RAM memory installed in your computer.

OS X runs better with more memory. Expanding your RAM to 2GB or 4GB can increase overall system performance, because when a system gets short of free RAM memory, it buffers memory out to the hard disk, drastically slowing performance.

You can monitor how much free RAM is available with Activity Monitor. When the system gets very short of free RAM, performance lags. A high number of Page outs and Swap used will indicate the need for more RAM.

If you put the System RAM icon in your system dock, you can watch the green 'slice' of the memory pie chart get smaller and smaller as your video slows. Closing all other apps will make the maximum amount available.

As you've discovered, quitting and restarting the browser will free some RAM memory temporarily, but eventually it fills and slows once again.

Third, you might be running out of free hard disk space. If you have less than 10GB of free hard disk space free, that lack of disk space also reduces system performance. Installing a larger and faster (7200RPM vs 5400RPM) hard disk can increase overall system performance a bit.

Fourth, Adobe Flash content, and especially Flash video is a huge resource hog. On older MacBooks, you'll often hear the fan run at full speed because the CPU is working hard and generating lots of heat. Some browsers seem a bit better than others on certain sites and certain pages, but no browser will 'cure' the problem. I use the 'Click to Flash' extension for Safari, and set the preference for HTML5 video, instead of Flash, whenever possible.

Fifth, a faster internet connection will help a little. When I went from a 512Kbit connection to a 3.0Mbit, video performance improved a bit. Moving recently to a 15Mbit connection also helped a bit more. But still no miracle cure. Using a wired Ethernet connection might give a bit better performance than WiFi, if you're not getting a good WiFi signal or there is lots of local interference.

Sixth, allow the video content to buffer completely by pausing playback until it is fully loaded before beginning to watch it. Watch at as low a resolution as possible. Watch it in partial screen, not full-screen.

If you want to spend money (a few hundred dollars), you can do all of the following:

Add system RAM up to the maximum supported by your computer

Purchase a larger, faster hard disk

Then upgrade OS X to Snow Leopard OS X 10.6.8. You now have to call Apple at 1-800-MY-APPLE to purchase it, there is no more online order available.

And you'll still have a five-year-old computer with quite mediocre video performance.

The best solution in my opinion, for optimum video performance, is to save your money and invest in a newer MacBook (late 2008 aluminum or 2009-10 unibody), a MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro or recent refurb available from Apple Store online.

There has been huge progress in video chipset technology over the years, and processors keep getting smaller and faster and more energy-efficient, and now most every Mac comes with at least 4GB RAM installed. Many have SSD drives available standard or as an option. But planned obsolescence is part of the whole picture. In a few years, you'll need to buy a new machine again.

Message was edited by: kostby