HELP DESK for Mac-to-PC AV Chat and Video & Audio conferencing via a high-speed internet connection.

Summary: iChat or other software on Apple/Mac computers is compatible with:
- SKYPE Video (very convenient to use)
- AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) on PC
- iVisit on both PC and Mac/Apple (not compatible with iChat)
- Maybe also with Trillian Basic or Pro3 on PC
                                                 - Prepared by Andre Duerinckx.

Why this Web page? Mac-to-Mac and PC-to-PC audio-video conferening or AV chatting works fine, and many software solutions are available (iChat for Mac-to-Mac;    AIM, MSN, ETC.. FOR PC-TO-PC). Bur Mac-to-PC AV Chat is not so easy. This web site will update you on how to do Mac-to-PC AV Chat.

One of the Better SOLUTIONS: SKYPE Video (free download).
Skype 3.0 for Windows
Skype 2.5 for mac (Version: 2.5.0.85 on Jan 31, 2007);
SKYPE is free to download and easy to use
Make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world.
Chat with one person or have a group chat with up to 100 people at a time.
Conference call with up to nine other people for free.
Easily send files and photos to each other.
Useful things that cost a little
Calling phones is not free but it’s pretty cheap. No setup or monthly fees.

Other Solution #1: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM): compatible with iChat OS X 10.3 or later (not with OS X 10.2 versions?) , but only offers very small 1 inch view/screen to PC users.   Apple/Mac: AIM version 4.7 is the latest for Mac (June 2005), but you do not need that on a Mac; the only thing you need is a .Mac or a free AIM account.

PC/Windows Users: AIM version 5.9 for Windows XP (with SP2 upgrade) is latest (June 2005).

Other Solution #2: iVisit: (updated Jan 2006): from iVisit.com; annual subscriptions required for the (full) high-resolution version; free trials are available; only smaller images can be viewed with the free trial and there may be limits to the duration of conversations (less than 60 minutes). Good sound, pixellated small images (using the free version).
iVisit is platform independent: both PC and Mac can use it (it thus becomes iVisit to iVisit, not iVisit to iChat). However, the Internet connection quality is worse and the software is not as easy as AIM/iChat.
Although AIM is, I think, better in several respects, I stil recommend iVisit (the full version; about $35/year).
Again, as with AIM, you may have to disable firewalls on your PC.

Other Solution #3: Trillian from CERULEAN Systems: maybe also compatible with iChat and seems to offer full screen on the PC;May require Windows XP Pro (instead of XP Home), althought the documentation seems to indicate otherwise. Free trialk possible for 15 days only
http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/downloads/.
Trillian Basic (free) and Trillian Pro3 (for purchase; $25) is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC. It provides capabilities not possible with original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings.

MIRROR IMAGE PROBLEM: Connecting a videocamera to the new iChat AV beta results in a horizontally flipped image--i.e., a mirror image. It's common for video conference software to present a mirror image when viewing yourself. People are generally more comfortable when it acts as if they're looking into a mirror. Some cameras allow to switch left-right to correct this.

How to overcome Mirror Image Problem? ECAMM: Download iGlasses v1.1.3 Demo
Get total control over your iSight video settings from within iChat AV and many other programs. iSight too dark? It just needs iGlasses! Flip right/left?

Examples of iChat quality:

My mother's broken arm in Dec 2004	My brother Luc before he fixed the left/right mirror issue on his camera	June 2005 - My parents Internet Speed: about 70 kbps and 10 frames/sec
Dr Olivier Vanovermeire from Belgium

USEFUL WEB SITES for Mac/Apple Users:

Mac 101 - Lesson 11: iChat AV: the very Basics

iChat AV 3 with Tiger

Mac/Apple Users FORUM for iChat AV / i Sight Issues

iSight Camera for Apple/Mac only (does not work with PC)
The eyes and ears of iChat AV.
iSight is the incredibly easy to use personal video conferencing camera with integrated microphone that will allow you to have face-to-face conversations with your friends, family and co-workers over the Internet. Price $149.00 Ships: Same business day Free Shipping via http://www.apple.com

Apple/Mac System Requirements for AV Conferencing with iSight Camera:
* Macintosh computer with a 600MHz or faster PowerPC G3 or any PowerPC G4 or G5 processor
* iChat AV software (Included with Mac OS X Panther)
* Mac OS X v10.3 or later
* Broadband Internet connection (128Kbps or faster transfer speeds)

USEFUL WEB SITES for PC / Windows Users:

iVisit and iChat: iVisit version 3.4.1
            Troubleshooting
AIM and iChat: Video Conference Tutorial for iChat and AIM is:
            http://www.mvldesign.com/video_conference_tutorial.html

Key ideas are listed here:
If you are using MS Windows XP (Pro or Home) then you can video conference via AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), version 5.5/5.9 or later. You do not need to sign-up for AOL but can use any Internet connection. If you do not have version 5.9 go to go to www.aim.com and upgrade your current version (Upgrade Now!) or download the latest version. (Download Now)

Initial troubleshooting: Most problems involve around these simple things: Internal XP Pro firewall settings after upgrading to SP2 (check that out first), external firewall settings in a router, camera not "seen" by AIM (camera driver issues), or no video/low frame rate (install patch below). General AIM troubleshooting: One problem regularly seen with AIM 5.5 and video cameras is the configuration settings in the video/audio tuner don't "stick" and have to be re-run each time. I have yet to hear of a solution for those with this "feature."

FIREWALL issues: You can keep your Windows XP firewall active, except for: services AOL (done automatically when you load AIM), uPnP (udp Point-to-Point)
(udp = stream tcp-ip, connection less)

For WINDOWS Users on PC --- AIM Help desk for AIM's Video IM: Taking IMs to the Next Level With AIM's new Video IM, not only can you chat with your friends & family, but you can actually put real-time video to the IMs. With the use of your webcam, video is shown as part of your IM experience. It's perfect for life, love & whatever else your IM world takes you. So check it out & take your IM relationships to the next level

Video IM FAQs

What Do I Need To Use AIM Video IM?
To use AIM Video IM both you, and the person you want to Video IM with, need the following:
Latest Version of AIM: Download AIM Here
The Windows XP Operating System or Apple iChat AV version 2.1 or later
64 MB RAM more
233 MHz or faster processor
A web camera
Internet connection

Why Am I Having Problems Getting Video IM to Work on My Computer?
You may need an upgraded Windows XP component to operate in conjunction with Video IM.
To use Video IM users may need an updated component of the Windows XP Operating System. The AIM web site will tell you how to upgrade for use with Video IM:

And a posting from my brother in Belgium about how he succeeded on doing this:
(In French):
J'ai juste suivi les liens et la re-installation qui est decrite dans cette page, le firewall avec uPnP enabled suffit, et lors de la premiere connection video il faut encore augmenter le niveau du micro qui est dans l'onglet avec la camera, meme si on a mis aux maximum les settings du micro lors des reglages video/audio. ET visiblement lors de la toute premiere communication video, c'est l'autre qui doit lancer la communication et il faut attendre (longtemps ) que la negociation sur le format et le serveur udp se fasse ... (June 13, 2005).

For more information about iChat for Mac OS X or PC Windows XP users
Visit the official web sites
Apple Computers
iChat AV Support
AOL Instant Messenger

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