I have a MacPro on which I just installed a newly licensed copy of Pear Note (thanks MUPromo!). I use both the original iSight and an external Sony DV video cam plugged directly into the MacPro via Firewire. Here is what I found:
1. Pear Note will record the video from the iSight but if the Audio is checked (with iSight selected in the Prefs for Audio) it will return an error when you click the record button. If a different Audio source is selected, it will record the video from the iSight just fine.
2. Pear Note doesn't recognize the Sony DV via Firewire cam at all?!? Doesn't matter if the iSight is plugged in or not. I know the DV cam works because I use it in other applications (CamTwist, Final Cut Pro, etc.)
3. When you're done recording, it won't play unless you manually advance the player beyond the first frame.
4. I installed a demo copy on my MacBook Air and everything works fine with the built-in iSight for video and the built-in mic.
So, I assume all development took place on Macs with built in cams and mics?
The reason I purchased Pear Note is so that I can use my MacBook Pro, with a DV cam plugged in with external mic and use it to point the camera at the speaker, who is wearing a mic, and record meetings and conferences. This won't work if Pear Note only works with the built-in cam and internal mic. If it only uses the internal cam and I have to be typing at the same time, then I'm on the video, not the speaker.
Are there plans to support DV cams via Firewire? Or because Apple seems to be moving away from Firewire is that not in the works for Pear Note?
I'm kinda bummed. I had really great hopes for this in that I could record a speaker at a conference but if I can only record myself typing via the built in cam...I'm not quite sure what the point of having video recording capabilities is for??
