Setting up 2017 MacBook (OS 10.12.6) for use with HP Envy 34 external monitor. I can't seem to use the monitor's camera for FaceTime video calling. Any ideas would be much appreciated.
MacBook, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), FaceTime issue w/external monitor
Then issue is with the camera's video feed. Since facetime is able to detect both cameras and use them make them available to be selected the issue is elsewhere, not Facetime.
Make sure the camera on the monitor is not physically obstructed.
Does the monitor manufacturer have any drives for Mac?
Can you use any other App with the monitor camera and have it work? PhotoBooth for instance?
Is there any possibility the camera is damaged?
I think the problem you're having is that people aren't really supposed to have external monitors on Macs. I'm not really 100% sure about this though cause I have never tried using an external monitor on a Mac.
I appreciate the suggestion, but this approach has been unsuccessful. I see the Camera option under the Video drop-down, but when selected, there's no image. Interestingly, the monitor also has an IR camera, which it uses for a Windows-based facial recognition system. When I select that camera, the IR image appears on screen (but is clearly not a good option for FaceTime). I'm stumped.
CamoGamer wrote:
I think the problem you're having is that people aren't really supposed to have external monitors on Macs.
Why would you think that? People use external monitors with MacBooks all the time. Why else would there be options in Preferences for using two monitors?
tsammann wrote:
Interestingly, FaceTime will only recognize the monitor's HD camera once PhotoBooth is launched. PITA, but at least I have a way to use FaceTime.
That's really strange. Still glad you got it to work.
Why not? What happens when you try to use the camera?
External Monitors are perfectly supported on all Macs, and there is no limitation with using a camera as long as the Mac can see it.
With Facetime opened, go to the Video menu at the top, and there should be a Cameras section there from where you can select one of the detected cameras.
Issue solved. Apparently the act of opening PhotoBooth activated the camera for FaceTime. Thanks for your thoughtful input!
Interestingly, FaceTime will only recognize the monitor's HD camera once PhotoBooth is launched. PITA, but at least I have a way to use FaceTime.
Can't use camera for FaceTime on external monitor
