Trying to get iChat working, with my family back in UK. Seem to be able to instant message but try dialing through a voice call but it wont connect. Is it because I have .MAC account and they only have AIM? Any feedback would be great.
There's no difference between a .mac and .aim in terms of iChat compatibility. If you mean you are trying to talk via voice with them using iChat. iChat isn't very optimized for voice conferencing on dialup internet. It was meant to be used with broadband. If you want to use voice with a dialup ISP, I suggest you both install Skype since the voice compression technology is a lot better suited for low bandwidth environments (like dialup).
Not sure if i interpret thedorrells' message correctly, but just to clarify: both sides are running iChat, yes? Both sides on Mac computers? And on the UK side, it's not a different chat client with an AIM account? Aside from Skype, another VoIP alternative (that I personally use) is Gizmo.
thedorrells, please give us more details. 1. What is your connection type and speed in Manila? 2. What is the connection type and speed in the UK? 3. Are both computers Macs? Or is one a PC? 4. What version of OS are both computers using? 5. Are both computers trying to computers using iChat? If you can fill us in, we can better help you. Thanks.
Sorry, yes we are both on MAC's both using iChat both on broad band connection. The idea is to try abd get this iSight video working, but building up gradually. I also use Skype but the MAC version doesnt support video yet! any idea of release?? My only thought is that you need .MAC account to use the video and audio functions of iChat??
No. I'm using AIM and .Mac and there's no functional difference. I've logged countless attempts trying to get my home Mac and my Office Mac to connect via iChat videoconference and all I have not been able to get a quality that compared to letsay a Polycom (dedicated videoconferencing equipment). The problem is that the local DSL severely restricts your upload speeds so that it's not possible to stream video reliably. You need a 256K UPLOAD speed to maintain a good video feed to the other side. If your on a standard DSL plan, the upload is only less than 128k which is good enough for voice, but not video I'm afaid.
@ Dave_D, i just want to clarify - so if you have a low bandwidth speed, you can't do ichat video and audio at the same time? I've been trying to do that with my sis but we can only use the audio. the video icon is not highlighted when we do this. on the other hand, if we use the chat mode, we can click the video icon but it says low bandwidth. will appreciate any help. TIA
