oews
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Q: How can I get iSight reworking on my Mac Pro???

Okay, I admit I had not used iSight since installing on my Mac Pro (an older 2x2.93 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon).  Now, with family members ready to FaceTime or video Skype, I realize that my iSight no longer works on my Mac Pro and apparently was/is not supported by Mountain Lion.  Sort of missed that since I'd been using my newer MacBook Air for video chats.  Has Apple made any move to get this issue resolved?  Are there any workarounds that have been identified?  This is VERY annoying!!!  Any updates on this situation are welcomed.  

 

Thanks!

Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI Late 2007), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jun 9, 2013 10:21 AM

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oews

Q: How can I get iSight reworking on my Mac Pro???

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  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Jun 10, 2013 7:14 AM in response to oews
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Jun 10, 2013 7:14 AM in response to oews

    As shown in these images, my external iSights work fine with FT

    and Skype on my old 10.8.4 Mac Pro:

     

    1084.gif

     

     

    If, like me, you have more than one camera connected and recognized by your Mac Pro, you must select the camera you want to use from the menu in each app.  If your Mac recognizes only one (or none) connected camera, you will not see the camera choice menu item.   Here is how my external iSight looks in the two apps you mention:

     

     

    FT.png

     

     

    (Skype setting is made from Skype > Preferences... > Audio/Video )

     

    skyp.png

     

     

    If the above info does not let you get yours working, try Apple's "Standalone" suggestions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090.  Be sure to check your cable / adapter that connects your old Firewire 400 external iSight to your Firewire 800 Mac.

     

    (2) It is also a good idea to try 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.  Your test account need not be an administrator account.

     

    (3) External iSights are great webcams, and both of mine still work fine.  However, as consumer electronics go, they are all now quite old.  It is possible that your iSight is beginning to show its age and may need repair or replacement.  You can test your external iSight using the suggestions here: http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/EZJim/EZJimpage4.html

     

    (4) If your iSight does show possible problems, repairing your external iSight might be more costly than buying a new webcam such as one of these: http://www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com/ (Even if you keep a working external iSight, testing with another external webcam might help you in troubleshooting your problem.)

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

     

     

    Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz Mac OSX 10.8.4   24" LED Cinema Display       External iSights