virtualbox.org

So after years of not using windows, I downloaded VirtualBox onto my Macbook Pro so I can install Windows 7 32bit for a new job. That new job requires a webcam and instead of purchasing a new one, I'd like to use the Facetime HD camera that is built into the macbook. I'm having trouble with that, though.

USB drives are enabled under the VirtualBox settings for the WIndows 7 install, and it's able to pic up the signal from the microphone but nothing on the camera. Under the devices portion, the FaceTime HD camera is black and I can select it. When I do select it, Windows 7 says that the USB device isn't recognized and cannot be installed. Any help would be most appreciated!

The VM is a simulated PC. The hardware of your host is not very relevant, provided it has the resources needed by the simulation. The simulated PC does not include a built in webcam.

If the camera is a USB device, and you have Windows 7 drivers for it, then you may be able to get the VM to use it, though of course that means that the host will be unable to use it while the VM is running - and maybe not afterwards either (until a reboot), because it's probably not designed to expect that device to be "unplugged".

Some things VMs are not very good at - a prime example is using physical hardware, so be prepared for the webcam to not work very well, even if you have the drivers.

It has been awhile . . .

Apple's BootCamp has the drivers for the built-in devices.
I recall that people have extracted the drivers from the BootCamp package and installed them in virtual machines.
Never tried myself.

Best of Luck

Thank you for the input. I've resigned that I'm going to have to purchase a webcam and not use the iSight camera. I'm not experimenting with a Logitech C270 webcam and trying to get it to work with a different VM setup, WinXP 32.