Webcam won't work

AndreaM · #1 November 26th, 2006, 06:17 PM

I bought an Emprex webcam (advertised for Windows/Mac) but it won't work. I tried downloading the 'Macam' driver from the Ecamm website but, basically, I don't know what I'm supposed to do with it. When I open the application, a small window appears but says at the bottom 'No camera selected'. Nothing I try makes any difference. Can anyone help or else suggest another webcam (which I can buy in Britain) which will work without needing to buy any other software etc?

eric2006 · #2 November 26th, 2006, 06:25 PM

What kind of computer are you using? Make sure that you're plugged into a powered, USB 2.0 port.

AndreaM · #3 November 26th, 2006, 06:57 PM

I'm using an iBook and the camera is connected to one of the two USB sockets at the side (I've even tried both of them). The laptop doesn't seem to sense the presence of the camera at all. Should there be a light on the camera to indicate it is on? I pressed the only button on it that I see but with no effect.

joeraymond · #4 November 26th, 2006, 07:43 PM

I'd be willing to bet that the USB ports on your iBook are not powered, meaning any devices that you plug into them need to have their own power source. I found this out the hard way when I tried to use a USB powered external hard drive and couldn't get it to spin up.

eric2006 · #5 November 26th, 2006, 07:56 PM

If you have a USB hub that can be plugged in to an external power source, you can test this.

sirstaunch · #6 November 26th, 2006, 09:37 PM

Did you put the Macam Component into Quicktimes folder in the Library folder?

In the Macam folder you will see an item called macam.componet

That needs to be put into Sytem/Library/Quicktime and then relaunch any application that you want to use the cam with

Hope that helps, cheers

eric2006 · #7 November 26th, 2006, 10:24 PM

I had some problems with that program.. I had to press the "play" button to start the webcam (from the macam program)

AndreaM · #8 November 27th, 2006, 09:21 AM

Thanks for all your replies. I started with the simplest first:
eric2006 - Pressing the 'play' button had no effect. I don't have an USB Hub I can try.
joeraymond - You may well be right about the USB ports not being powered. I've only used a digital camera, with its own battery, so that might be the problem. Is there any way round this?
sirstaunch - I know I have Quicktime installed but I can't find it in the Library Folder. Do you have to go into something else first once you are in the Library folder? I notice you gave the path: System/Library/Quicktime but I was going into Finder/Library. Is this the same? If not, where do you get System from the desktop? Sorry to be so basic but I'm a relative newcomer to Macs.