Delville
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iSight use

Will a FireWire 800 to 400 adaptor get my iSight to work on a new Mini? Is there a USB3 adaptor that would work?

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 30, 2014 11:11 AM

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Delville

Q: iSight use

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  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Jan 30, 2014 4:43 PM in response to Delville
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Jan 30, 2014 4:43 PM in response to Delville

    Delville wrote: Will a FireWire 800 to 400 adaptor get my iSight to work on a new Mini? ...

     

    Yes, it is possible.  If the old external iSight you have still works, it should work with the newer Macs.  You can test an external iSight using the suggestions in this link.

     

     

     

    To connect your old external (Firewire 400) iSight to your Mac mini (Late 2012), you will need a cable or adapter that can connect the FW400 external iSight to your mini's FW800 or Thunderbolt port.  If you don't already have such, Apple offers these possibilities:  FireWire Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.)  There are also 9 pin to 6 pin Firewire adapters like this one if you need such.  Your local computer store may have other alternatives.

     

    Delville wrote: ... Is there a USB3 adaptor that would work?

     

    No.  USB and Firewire are completely different technologies.  Your old (Firewire) iSight will not work with ANY kind of USB.

     

    If you want to use USB for your webcam, get a compatible camera such as one from this list of Mac Compatible Web Cameras.   Other cams that are USB compatible can work, too, and USB connections are not bothered by these Possible Hardware or Software Conflicts.