Capturing video with iMac's camera

Hi, as the title describes I'm after info on how I can capture video with the camera built into my iMac. I have the 2011 iMac and it said when I bought it that it has a HD camera, I load photo booth and the video doesn't look all that high definition. So I thought that perhaps I was using the wrong programme. Am I?

You're using the correct program. I also have a 2011 iMac with the HD camera and I can see a world of difference between its resolution and the one on my 2008 MacBook. A lot depends on the lighting and background when you turn on the camera.

The "HD" camera built into the iMac (and other models) is a 720p video camera (1280x720), which qualifies as "HD" but may not fit some people's definition (they generally mean "Full" HD or 1080p).

As chscag says, lighting lighting lighting will make a world of difference in the quality of your video.

Thankyou for your responses. Its not awful I just thought it was a bit grainy. Ah well, will flick the light on

It's more than a matter of flicking the light on, mmj - I too was disappointed with the grainy picture, but put it down to only having a small room with a single window on a cloudy day. Putting a number of lights on made no difference at all.

When I moved the desk so that my iMac was between me and the window, as opposed to being at 90 degrees, the difference in quality was astounding.

I had made the mistake of thinking that the lens needed light. It is the subject matter that needs the light. Even on a cloudy day - which it nearly always is - there are no problems with getting a clear picture even in fullscreen. The only problem I had was realising just how ugly I am in HD.

I look much better in 240p.