External usb webcam flickering (ripple effect) on MacBook Pro

I'm new to Mac. I've bought an external usb HD webcam and I would like to use it with Mac.

Connectivity-wise, Mac recognizes the camera, I can use it from any application - so far so good.

The issue is - I'm experiencing a strong ripple effect due to ambient led lightning (50hz). In windows, I could easily change the setting of video capture frequency to 50hz for any camera using windows settings (including the one in question) and this would resolve the ripple effect.

In Mac I just can't find the setting to do that.

After a short research - I saw a few suggestions to use an app like "Webcam settings". I can't use it as a resolution in my case (for certain reasons).

Any ideas? Is there some config value that I can change manually?

Q: Am I positive it's the ambient lights? A: Yes it is the lights.

Q: Am I positive webcam/usb/other hw is OK? A: Yes it is OK.

Q: Does the vendor provide resolution? A: No, the vendor (Amcrest) did not provide a resolution yet.


This is a known problem with the camera recording at 60Hz by default and the LED lights flickering at 50Hz. There is an app in the App store called Webcam Settings which can resolve this. Costs A$12.99. Daniel Bradshaw explains at https://youtu.be/kuxs3URzmuQ

I can confirm opening Google Meet sets the USB camera frame rate to remove the flicker caused by the LED lighting at 50Hz.

The adjusted frame rate persists if you close Meet and then open Zoom, so Zoom will work OK.

However, if you disconnect and reconnect the camera, it will go back to 60Hz, so you need to open Meet again.