How do I redeem with my MBP camera if gift card image inverted?

Question

Level 1

11 points

How do I redeem with my MBP camera if gift card image inverted?

I just recently received a MacBook Pro retina display and have tried to use the camera to redeem a music card code. The problem is that the image is a mirror image of the actual card, so it cannot be read by iTunes. Is there a way to set up the camera so the image is not inverted? Is this a recognized issue that will be fixed? I did ask someone at an Apple store and was told to try the forum- they were not aware of the issue.

By the way- I also tried this with my 2009 iMac and have the same issue- so it is not unique to the MBP. I think it worked years ago- perhaps an issue with later versions of iTunes? Thanks for any help.

Mark

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), Also iPad2, MBP (10.9) and iPhone 4

Posted on Nov 26, 2013 12:40 PM

Reply

Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,674 points

Nov 26, 2013 12:51 PM in response to Markcw98a

The code should be recognized even though the card image is reversed. Note, though, that the card must have the focus box around the code. Cards that lack this will not work via the camera. If yours has that box but still isn't recognized by the camera, it may be an anomaly with the card, assuming that you've complete scratched off the coating. I'd suggest that you just type in the code rather than spending a lot of time trying to get the camera method to work.

Regards.

Reply

Answer 2

Markcw98a Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 27, 2013 11:23 AM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for responding. It sounds like a software issue, or lack of functionality. I understand why Apple wants you to have a mirror image for Facetime, etc- but would expect them to feed you the un-mirrored image for redeeming cards. I assume the actual picture is not mirrored- so it should work. My issue was with a free song card from Starbucks- and I did just manually enter the code to get it to work.

Thanks.

Reply

Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

182,674 points

Nov 27, 2013 11:23 AM in response to Markcw98a

The free song cards I've seen from Starbucks lack that focus box and hence won't work via the camera.

Regards.

Reply