There is no connected camera message with built in FaceTime camera

Question

Anyone run into "There is no connected camera" message while using any of the camera applications (Messages, PhotoBooth, Skype, etc.)? I tried force quitting all the applications that use the camera but with no luck. Even tried sudo killall VDCAssistant without any luck. Restarting the machine fixes the issue, but it is highly annoying to do so every day. I am running 10.8.1 on 2012 MacBook Pro.

Answer 1

If the issue is not Application-specific, nor User-specific, and your computer clearly recognizes the iSight, you should try reseting the SMC.

To do so, just:

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift+Control+Option and the power button at the same time.
4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.