A few minutes ago, my macbook pro (OSX 10.6.8) played what I think was the Skype incoming call chime. I didn't think Skype was running, and as I was Cmd-Tabbing through applications to see if I'd accidentally left Skype turned on, the webcam light briefly flashed. Skype wasn't running, but I double-checked by starting Activity Monitor, and didn't see any processes with Skype in the name.
I'm not totally sure it was the skype chime, because I don't use skype often. I do have google chat running in gmail with video chat enabled, but there were no visible notifications in the gmail window. I suppose it could've been a deceptive flash ad in a browser tab, but it's the webcam light that creeps me out. Any ideas what might have happened? Should I find a malware scanner? Is that even a thing? The last ask.metafilter match for "osx malware" is almost 2 years old.
posted by moonmilk
on Mar 14, 2013 -
4 answers
Company wants to group skype, and everything is working great Except the main conference room, which is about 8x bigger than the others.
[more inside]
posted by one4themoment
on Mar 13, 2013 -
5 answers
I'm making some videos for the internet on a very low budget and am having trouble finding a suitable camera. I need something a step up from a webcam or a Flip HD.
[more inside]
posted by brenton
on Feb 6, 2013 -
3 answers
I'm looking for a Windows app for viewing multiple remote webcams on a single screen -- something like Live Cams Pro on iOS. Ideally it would be able to categorize cameras by topic or location, support live feeds as well as static ones, and maybe be able to store timed snapshots from the cams over time (like Camembert could do back in the day). I'm not as concerned about receiving audio or controlling the cameras.
[more inside]
posted by Lazlo Nibble
on Jan 1, 2013 -
0 answers
Help me create the ultimate CatCam! I want a way to watch what our cats are doing at home from the internet.
[more inside]
posted by treehorn+bunny
on Dec 19, 2012 -
10 answers
(Asking for a friend.) I need to find some sort of software that lets you both record yourself through a webcam (showing the image live in a window on the screen) and (not simultaneously) play a pre-recorded video in the same screen. Ideally it would have very minimalist buttons, or configurable buttons/toolbar.
[more inside]
posted by lollusc
on Jul 31, 2012 -
3 answers
I need an weather proof outdoor webcam. I have intermittent power and wifi. What are my options?
[more inside]
posted by chillmost
on Jul 22, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm looking for a USB webcam with really good low light performance and full manual controls (exposure, focus, etc). A digital camera or camcorder that can emulate a webcam would work too. Bonus if it's known to work well with software like Processing, OpenFrameworks, and/or Jitter.
posted by moonmilk
on Jun 30, 2012 -
3 answers
Know of any webcam chat sites for gay teens that are NOT chatroulette / cam4 style?
[more inside]
posted by audio
on Feb 24, 2012 -
1 answer
Cheap screencast app with simultaneous webcam and audio recording for OSX? A few more catches, too...
[more inside]
posted by cmchap
on Feb 17, 2012 -
3 answers
Is there an economical way to set up a few webcams so I can remotely monitor my house (for disasters) while on vacation?
[more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover
on Jan 26, 2012 -
13 answers
What's a good Windows program that I can use to take photos with a webcam? Think Photo Booth for Mac.
[more inside]
posted by apip
on Nov 26, 2011 -
2 answers
I'm making a sexy video for someone, but want to make sure there's no way it could be traced back to me if he shares it. Keeping my face/identifying marks off screen (obviously), but what about technologically? Recording with iSight on my macbookpro, maybe an edit or 2 in iMovie, then send the file thru gmail. Will anyone be able to trace it back to this macbook?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 11, 2011 -
19 answers
Questions about setting up a recording/video conferencing setup for my company. Hardware, software, and studio tips needed.
[more inside]
posted by lattiboy
on Oct 20, 2011 -
0 answers
Say I have a computer (Mac) with a web cam. What's a good way to build an otherwise simple program that can record and play back what happens on the web cam? (With the audio)
[more inside]
posted by RobotHero
on Oct 17, 2011 -
7 answers
Recommend me a video camera to use capturing sports action. I'm looking for a USB camera for use outside that can send live capture to a Win7 machine. It should have a wide auto-focus, software to instantly review the feed. I've reviewed previous Mefi posts, and can't decide whether a web cam, stand-alone Hd camcorder, or something like a Flip or helmet cam would be suitable. Right now the Contour or GoPro are considerations, but I'm unsure of the software side. Price is not really important, but I dont' want to spend $500.
posted by TDIpod
on Oct 16, 2011 -
2 answers
The
makerspace I belong to has a
webcam but the system doesn't work very well; it's just an iSight plugged into a Mac mini. I'd like to set up a dedicated headless linux box with a bunch of cheap USB cameras instead. Recommendations?
[more inside]
posted by Mars Saxman
on Oct 5, 2011 -
5 answers
I need to know how to set up a wireless, night-vision enabled, motion detecting camera for the purposes of spying.
[more inside]
posted by mudpuppie
on Sep 23, 2011 -
15 answers
I just found out that my girlfriend does web cam shows for money I need advice/perspective on the situation.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Sep 19, 2011 -
46 answers
I want to set up a webcam so I can watch my tortoise via Ustream while I'm at work. Any suggestions for a good quality webcam with a good frame rate (30 FPS would be nice)?
[more inside]
posted by sleepykitties
on May 30, 2011 -
13 answers
Please help me find a group video chat solution that works better than Skype!
[more inside]
posted by utsutsu
on Apr 18, 2011 -
7 answers
Can a Panasonic PV-GS120 be used for streaming video without a firewire port? Plus more questions!
[more inside]
posted by fozzie33
on Apr 18, 2011 -
2 answers
I am putting together a proposal for my English class. It proposes that cameras should be required in meat processing plants all along the "dissemble" line, and broadcast "to the public somehow," (probably via web-feed or something) . Is there such a thing, in any law, in any jurisdiction (even outside of the U.S.)?
[more inside]
posted by Monkey0nCrack
on Apr 10, 2011 -
15 answers
Is there any way to incorporate live video into a powerpoint presentation?
[more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu
on Apr 7, 2011 -
2 answers
I would like to display Karaoke lyrics over a
live webcam feed. This means I might need a skype (or equivalent) plugin that plays the music & lyrics,
or find some karaoke software with the ability to display lyrics over a transparent background. (That is, to have windowless karaoke display, and run the webcam feed behind it. )
All the software (I can find) to play
.CDG (karaoke lyric standard) files forces them to be played with an image background, or over a video file.
[more inside]
posted by 0bvious
on Mar 10, 2011 -
1 answer
What Windows software can I use to display a text overlay (or graphical) on a live webcam feed?
[more inside]
posted by ostranenie
on Feb 21, 2011 -
1 answer
I recently acquired a nice webcam (about $100) that I didn't have any particular use for. What should I do with it?
[more inside]
posted by secretsecret
on Feb 12, 2011 -
9 answers
I seem to only be able to use my webcam when I am chatting online. I would like to be able to record and playback video. I am on a very tight budget, so cannot afford something like Camtasia (~$300), and even something like Debut Video Recording Suite (at $70) is too expensive. Anyone know of free or very cheap options available? Thanks!
posted by Betty's Table
on Jan 1, 2011 -
8 answers
Looking for a unobtrusive cheap webcam to stick on my mid-sized laptop. What are my options?
[more inside]
posted by nrobertson
on Oct 20, 2010 -
4 answers
What webcam/video chat setup would you recommend, if you had to set one up for a technophobe grandma, in order to let her see her grandchildren?
[more inside]
posted by kristin
on Aug 30, 2010 -
10 answers
Any suggestions for some resource-friendly linux software to stream live video (from a webcam) and audio (from a line-in) over the LAN (other than VLC and FFserver)?
[more inside]
posted by prupert
on Jul 14, 2010 -
9 answers
I used to love corresponding with overseas penpals that I'd been matched up with at school, or whatever. Do people do this via video chat these days? Where and how?
[more inside]
posted by AngerBoy
on Jul 9, 2010 -
3 answers
I'd like to set up a couple webcams in my house with a couple stipulations.
[more inside]
posted by sepsis
on May 24, 2010 -
5 answers
What is a simple way to stream / webcast and capture / record several hours of video at the same time?
[more inside]
posted by Busy Old Fool
on Apr 29, 2010 -
1 answer
