Having a webcam on your computer allows you to interact with friends, family and colleagues in a whole new way, opening up opportunities for fun face-to-face conversations and adding a personal touch to remote meetings. If you're learning online, being able to see your tutor can make such sessions far more effective.
I am using PowerPoint for Mac version 16.35 (20030802) and I am subscribed to Office 365. Here is the screenshot from my PowerPoint. Here is the image that shows the recording slide show with camera and mic options. If you prefer to disable the built-in webcam, you can use a third-party application called OverSight developed by Objective-See. This app monitors the Mac's microphone and webcam and alerts the user when the mic or FaceTime camera is activated. It also displays the process that is accessing this hardware. How to turn on the camera on a Mac computer Turning on the camera on a Mac is easy: just start using an app that calls for photo or video. Plugging OFF or physically disconnecting the Camera from MacBook will turn off both camera and the screen of the MacBook. Hence, the only way to physically disable camera on Mac would be to cover the camera with a sticker, duct tape or by using camera covers as available on Amazon. To turn off the camera, close the app or turn off the video on your video streaming app. The camera's indicator light turns off. Troubleshooting Your Camera. If you are using an app that should access the camera but can't detect it, make sure no other apps that use the camera.
Yet despite the many benefits, webcams can also be a threat. Malware on your computer can target your webcam, turning it on without your knowledge and allowing others to spy on both you and your home.
Blocking the lens of your webcam using a piece of opaque tape or a custom-made cover is a quick and easy way to protect your privacy, but if you want a more effective and permanent solution to the problem, you need to learn how to disable a webcam.
For all the steps listed below, you'll usually need administrator level access. It's important to note that, in the majority of cases, a computer's webcam and microphone are connected so disabling one will automatically disable the other.
How to disable a webcam on a Mac
In recent years all Mac laptop and desktop computers, with the sole exception of the Mac Mini, have been supplied with a built-in iSight camera, chiefly for use with Facetime and a range of web-based applications.
The most straightforward way to safeguard your privacy is to go to the Parental Controls settings and click on the box marked ‘Disable built-in camera', but this only works if you are certain no one else has access to your computer.
If you want to be sure to disable your iSight camera, either on a temporary or permanent basis, you'll need to remove a key file from inside the system library folder on your hard drive.
Mac How To Turn Off Camera
The Library folder is now hidden by default to prevent accidental access. It's important to note that files within these folders are crucial to the operation of your computer and that you should only proceed with extreme caution.
To access your Library folder, begin by making sure the Finder menu is being displayed on the top left of your screen by clicking on the Finder icon. Click on Go and then select the option Go to Folder from the drop-down menu. Type /Library into the search box that appears and click OK. The Library folder will then open in a new window.
Scroll down the list of contents of Library until you find a folder named QuickTime then double click to open it. The key file inside the QuickTime folder is named:'QuickTimeUSBVDCDigitizer.component'. Select this file by clicking on it and then press Command + c to make a copy of it. Create a new folder (Command + Shift + n) and paste the copied file (Command + v) into it. Name this folder 'webcam backup'. This makes it easy to restore your webcam in the future should you ever change your mind.
How To Enable Camera On Mac
Once you have made a copy, return to the Quicktime folder and delete the original file. If you then try to use your webcam you'll receive a message informing you there is no longer any camera available on the computer.
How to disable a webcam on a Windows PC
In the case of a Windows PC, you can disable your webcam by using Windows Device Manager. This can be found by opening the Control Panel followed by the System and Security folder, followed finally by the System folder.
Open the Device Manager and look for an entry under 'Imaging devices'. Your webcam should be listed and, once selected, you'll have the option of either disabling it or removing it completely from the list of devices used by your machine.
Has your privacy ever been compromised by a webcam? Have you used the above methods yourself or do you know of other ways to disable a built-in camera? Become part of the conversation by adding your own comments and experiences in the box below.
Your MacBook Pro comes equipped with many different functions and features that make it a really great computer to have.
All of the high-end tech that is built into these computers can allow you to accomplish many different tasks quickly and Apple products are well-known for their intuitive interface and ease of use. If you just got your hands on a new MacBook Pro, congratulations and welcome to the club!
One basic function and piece of equipment that every MacBook Pro comes with is a camera.
The quality of these cameras seems to improve with every new generation that Apple puts out and they are very functional and easy to use. These built-in cameras come in handy during a number of different circumstances and are simple to operate once you are familiar with the basic functions of your computer.
Reasons for Using Your MacBook Pro Camera
The camera on your MacBook Pro can be used for a variety of different reasons.
It is typically not used in the same way as a common camera on your phone or other devices. It would look pretty hilarious if you help up your computer for a family photo, wouldn't it?!
I suppose it would work for this, but most people use the built-in camera on their computer for other reasons than taking photos.
1. Video Calls & Chats
Battle royale ground. One of the most common uses for the built-in camera on your MacBook Pro is for video calls and chats.
Well known apps such as Facetime and Skype and utilize the camera to record your image in real-time and show it to whoever you are calling with. Since the camera on your laptop is located above your screen, it is easy to adjust the angle to center it on your face or body to make these calls happen. These cameras work really well for these calls and chats.
2. Photo Booth
Although it's not very common to use your laptop in a similar fashion as a regular camera, that doesn't mean it can't be done.
With the Photo Booth app on your MacBook Pro, you can take fun and creative photos easily from your computer. The app operates similar to an old-school photo booth where you hit a button, hear a countdown, and then a photo or two are taken. Photo Booth can be really fun and I've had a bunch of laughs using the program.
3. Live Streams
Another thing you can use your built-in camera for is live streaming.
You won't have the best high-quality using your computer's camera but you can easily live stream any talking or informative content if you have a YouTube channel or are currently a video blogger or interested in learning how to do so.
Using the camera on your MacBook is an easy way to learn the basics of how to live-stream and video blog and a lot of people use it for this reason.
How to Turn Your Camera On
In order to operate your camera and utilize it for any of the above purposes or whatever other reason you might want it for, you need to turn it on. It's actually really easy to do and pretty self-explanatory so once you learn how to turn it on, you'll probably never forget how.
The first step to turning on your camera is to open whatever app you want to use your camera for. This could be any of the apps mentioned above including Facetime, Skype, or Photo Booth. There are other apps that use the camera feature and those can work for turning your camera on too.
When some of these apps are opened, such as Photo Booth, the camera will come on automatically. For the other apps, like Facetime and Skype, you might need to click on the video icon to turn the camera on. You'll know that your camera is on because there will be a small green light that comes on right next to the camera lens.
You'll also see the image that the camera is capturing displayed within the window of the app you are using.
If Your Camera Doesn't Turn On
Sometimes you might open up one of these apps and your camera will not turn on. There are a few troubleshooting tips you can use to try and fix the problem.
First, make sure that you only have one app that uses the camera open at a time. If you have two apps open and both are trying to use the camera, chances are only one will have access and the other won't work. Close any programs that might be trying to use your camera except the one you want to use.
You can also try restarting your computer and then opening up an app that uses the camera. This usually fixes the problem if you don't know why your camera is not turning on. If the restart doesn't work, you might need to update your operating system or the photo/video app you are trying to use.
Also Read: How to Turn off Camera On MacBook Pro
Final Thoughts
Using the camera on your MacBook Pro is easy and can also be a lot of fun.
Turning your camera on really is as simple as opening up one of the apps that use the camera or video function. It's rare that this doesn't turn your camera on but if so, just follow the troubleshooting steps and you should be good to go with a quick restart or update.
If you've never used your computer's camera before, give it a shot and you'll see how nice it is!
What do you use your built-in camera for most often?
