iSight : The built-in iSight in the new (Late 2005 ->) Macs
As mentioned in the Title box - there are pages that were written a little while ago by EZ Jim, a poster on the Apple Discussions who contributed to iSight and iChat Discussions. The words the following pages are EZ Jim's
Use the the Information Column Menu for EZ Jim's pages.
EZ Jim Topic:
The built-in iSight in the new (Late 2005 ->) Macs
This Topic includes all I currently know on the subject. (internal iSights came out in 2005)
First the qualifiers: In ALL other "EZ Jim's iSite" Topics, all iSight comments refer to the external, Firewire-connected iSight that I use unless specifically stated to the contrary. If you have one of the new (Late 2005 and later) Macs that has a built-in iSight, you will need to determine which of the other topics here may be of use to you.
Because I do not have one of the new Macs with built-in iSight, the info I offer here is based on the info from the following sources:
-iMac G5 (iSight): iChat or Photo Booth doesn't show video
-Apple iMac G5 (iSight): Built-in iSight ... blue or green pictures
-Using your built-in iSight camera ...
-info posted by user in Apple Discussions
Edit 2024:- The links have been reviewed. These three that remain I have grabbed from the Way Back Machine Web Archive. In some cases the page details are there but the formatting info is not. This means it takes a while to sort the info. Dismiss the header bar over the top part of the page.
Photo Booth? Many want to add Photo Booth to other Macs. However, as explained in the first of the iMac G5 (iSight): Frequently Asked Questions, Photo Booth only available the new MacBook Pro, iMac G5 (iSight) or iMac (Early 2006) computers. (Edit 2024:- Way Back MAchine Archive link)
I know of NO legal way to get Photo Booth other than by buying one of the new Macs.
EDit 2024:- A link here to TweakerSoft no longer worked so it was removed as the current website it leads to is not related.
If you need any more info about Photo Booth, see PhotoBooth > Help on your Mac, or use Apple's Advanced Search Support to find "PhotoBooth Help" on the web (Edit 2024:- changed to Apple's Current Search format). If you do not find your answers there, try searching or posting in the G5 iMac Discussions or MacBook Pro Discussions areas.
Apple Search for G5 iSight Edit 2024:- Found search info.
How can I get my built-in iSight to capture iMovie video clips ? If you have an early built-in iSight and have not updated your software, you cannot do this directly. Apple's Using iSight with iMovie (Edit 2024:- Web Archive link with same formatting issues.) states that you must update to iMovie HD 6, which is part of iLife '06, to use your internal iSight directly with iMovie. (Edit 2024:- Another Web Archive link)
If you do not want to update, your internal iSight will not work with iMovie. However, you can record your video (movie) clip with some other application. Some iMac G5 (iSight) users have reported that they used QuickTime Pro to record video clips. They then imported the saved clip into iMovie HD for editing.
Other apps that can capture movie clips may also work. Several "movie clip" apps are included in the list of Some Applications You Can Use With iSight. Try one you already have or try a new one whose particular features you like.
Do not be surprised if some of these movie clip recording apps do NOT work until you update your software. Any other app that requires the same kind of video input used by iMovie4 and the pre-update versions of iMovie5 HD would likely also fail to recognize the original iMac G5 (iSight)'s internal camera and software.
Third Party Software? If you are having a problem using non-Apple software, you can check that your iSight is working by using it with any iSight-capable Apple application. (If you have not recently performed your Mac OS X maintenance, do so before testing with the Apple applications.)
If your iSight then fails even with Apple software, take you Mac to an Apple Service Technician for a professional check. I know of NO user serviceable parts for the internal iSight.
If your iSight works with Apple's software, and if your Mac does not have any other problems, your problem is likely peculiar to the third-party software application you are trying to use. Follow up with the Help or User Support system for that application. (Edit 2024:- Note if trying to re-download software that you think might be corrupt then make sure you get the right version for the OS you are going to put it on. At this point or 2005/2006 Intels were coming out and PhotoBooth above was already Intel Only. Newer version of Apps that are still about are not likely to be suitable for Power PC Macs (G4 and G5s).)
The best help for configuring and using the application that drives your iSight should come from the application resources. If they cannot help you, you might want to consider using a different application that adequately supports their product.
What can I do with my built-in iSight? Answer in Apple's Using your built-in iSight camera
Are there disadvantages to the built-in iSight? I can think of only two. Being built-in, you cannot move it from one Mac to another. Moreover, I know of no way to mount accessory lenses. For example, external iSight users can add accessory wide-angle lenses to increase their camera's field of view as explained in Mounts For Your iSight. EDIT 10 Jan, 2005: Some users have now told me that the built-in iSight is fixed focus and that it cannot use light levels as low as the external iSight. I have NOT tested this, but, if these factors might be important in your applications, I suggest you ask your retailer for a demonstration before you buy.
If these characteristics are important to you, you may wish to consider an external iSight.
If all else fails... read your manual. If you have lost it, you might find help or useful info at the iMac G5 (iSight) User's Guide (Manual) link. (Edit 2024:- Web Archive link.) (If you use Safari as your browser, you can <option>Click to download the manual.) The section on "Using the Built-In iSight..." begins on page 29, and the "TroubleShooting" section begins on page 53.
Edited 2024 by Ralph Johns
Made on a Mac®
© 2005, 2006 EZ Jim
© 2005 Ralph Johns: Edited 24/9/2005, 5/5/2006
Updated September 2006. Moved to Gargoyles Mar 2007. Major review October 2024 towards HTML5
Information Column
EZ Jim's iSight Stuff
Plain Text links to related Pages
For Screen Readers
EZJim Folder
EZJimindex Index of EZ Jim's iSight and Other InfoUsing iSight Using iSight
EZJim page2 Where to Find Help for iSight
EZJim page3 About the Built-In iSights
EZJim page4 How to Test your iSight is Functional
EZJim page5 Improving your (External) iSight's Picture
EZJim page6 Possible Conflicts with iSight an iChat
EZJim page7 Some Applications you can Use with an iSight
EZJim page8 iSight V DV Camcorder or other Web Cam
EZJim page9 Mounts for your External iSight
EZJim page10 iSight Versions (External)
EZJim page11 How to Turn your iSight Really Off
EZJim page12 iSight and the PC
EZJim page13 Common PC Applications and Chatting
EZJim page14 Mac Video Chat with PCs
EZJim page15 Using An iSight with iChat
EZJim page16 Help for iChat 3 Problems
EZJim page17 How to Get iChat working again
EZJim page18 Check your Broadband Speed
EZJim page19 OS X Maintenance
EZJim page20 Updating the OS
EZJim page21 Reinstalling the OS
EZJim page22 Macintosh System Stability
Made on a Mac®
