News & Views

Virginia Macintosh Users Group Presentation

August 1, 2005
What is the minimum requirements for computer speed and bandwidth?

For iChat 2, the minimum requirement is a G3 iMac with 600 Mhz of processor speed.

For iChat 3, the minimum requirement for multiparty videoconferencing is a G4 with 1 Gigahertz processor speed. For hosting multiplaryy videoconferences in iChat 3 you need either a G5 Mac or a dual-processor G4 (1 Gigahertz or faster.)
What if my computer is below the minimum requirements for one-to-one videoconferencing?
There still is hope. You can use a program named iChatUSBCam http://www.ecamm.com/mac/ichatusbcam/
How can I improve the audio for my videoconference?

If you have a PowerBook, iBook, iMac or eMac, choose the internal microphone rather than the iSight as your audio source. If you have a PowerMac, you could use an external microphone with in iMic USB adapter. Or use a USB headset.
How can I improve the lighting for my videoconference?

Ah, lighting. The best possible light is probably created from several small incadescent lamps bouncing light off of walls around you. You can also increase the illuminination on your face by changing what is on your computer screen. You might want to have an empty word processing document on your screen to throw greater light onto your face. Or experiment with various pastel tones created in your favorite graphics program (or in the AppleWorks draw program.)

It's best to not have lighting from below you coming up onto your face.

You should not have a window or light source directly behind your head.

iGlasses software ($8) also gives you greater control of the brightness of your iChat videoconference. http://www.ecamm.com/

I've tried the SightLight, which places a circle of LED lights around an iSight. I've found this product not recommendable. It gives your face a blue-ish tint.
Clothing tips?

It's best to avoid shirts with stripes or intricate patterns when videoconferencing.
Are there any tips for setting up my iSight camera?

Here are some good tips on this topic from the MacDevCenter web site...

"First off, let's mount the camera correctly. The most flattering position for your camera is straight in front of you, at eye level or slightly higher. This location makes your video conferencing look more natural, as if you were face-to-face with your AV partner. As a bonus, this mounting position also reduces the dreaded Double Chin Amplification Effect that a camera sitting on your desk and pointing up at you can produce."

Source: http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2004/03/16/iSight.html
Troubleshooting in iChat.
Garbled sounding audio

If the audio is sounding garbled, try clicking on the mute button and then clicking on the mute button again. This causes iChat to "look" to see what available bandwidth there is for audio.

General iChat troubleshooting tip

Try quitting and restarting iChat.
I don't have an iSight. Can I videoconference using my digital camcorder?
Yes. To prevent the camcorder from switching off (for inactivity) every 5 minutes, remove the tape from the camcorder.
Firewall Issues

From MacOSXHints.com
Allow iChat to work through Apple's Firewall Wed, Apr 9 '03 at 10:03AM from: Anonymous Network I have not understood why people were not able to use iChat's Rendezvous mode to communicate with me. People stated they sent me a message, but I would never receive it. Turns out it was, in fact, my Apple built-in firewall blocking incoming iChat messages. This does not seem like it would be a hidden hint, but you would have thought Apple would have set iChat as one of the "common ports."

To allow incoming iChat connections, go to the Sharing System Preference panel, click on the Firewall tab, then click the "New" Button. Click on the Port drop down menu and select "Other." Enter 5298 for the port number. Optional, but recomended, enter "iChat" for the description.

[robg adds: I have changed the port number (it was 5289) and any references to Rendezvous, as this is really an iChat hint (see the comments below).]
Videoconferencing with Windows Users
Some possibilities
AOL Instant Messenger 5.5 (or higher)

http://www.ispq.com

http://www.ivisit.com/
Someone told me that Yahoo Messenger (free) is also a way to videoconference with Windows users.
Finding Other People to Videoconference with using iChat

http://chatfinder.com
--
Phil Shapiro pshapiro@his.com
http://www.his.com/pshapiro/ (personal)
http://www.digitaldivide.net/blog/pshapiro (blog) http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro (technology access work) http://mytvstation.blogspot.com/ (video and rich media)

"Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others." - Desiderata