www.AppleChat.info
...everything you wanted to know about videoconferencing with the Mac..
 

      

 

Hardware & Software

So, what do you need to get started?

 


Hello, iChat AV!

Apple have updated the iChat instant messaging application to support sound and moving images.

iChat AV is now part of Panther, and if you have a Mac that is faster than a 500Mhz G3, I recommend you use it. The picture and sound quality is excellent - by far and away the best on the Mac, and probably the best on any home computer.

iChat AV looks and works in exactly the same way as the original iChat Instant Messenger program, with buddy lists, speech bubbles and all the rest. The difference is that now there are icons for sound and sound/video, and a new video window, so you can see and hear your buddies too.

With typical Apple design flair, iChat AV easy to use and yet powerful. Go try it!

Good Things about iChat AV

  • It works great! Large, color, fast graphics. Easy to connect from your iChat buddy list.
  • It looks great! The wonderful Apple design makes complicated things simple.
  • The price! The final program will cost $29, but is included in Panther!
  • Works with iSight, the new camera from Apple.
  • Works with other Firewire webcams, such as iBot.
  • Don't have a camera? Voice-only calls are supported - free long distance!

Bad Things about iChat AV

  • Requires a Mac with a 600MHz or faster processor before video calls can be made. For example, the first white dual-USB iBooks run at 500Mhz will not run iChat AV with video support. A G4 is required when using a Firewire camcorder as a video source.
  • Requires broadband for video support. No lesser quality options: simply no images if you only have a modem.
  • Requires a Firewire camera, USB is not supported. (Or at least, not with hacks - see the tips below).
  • Only works with other iChat AV clients at this stage.
  • No control over camera's settings (White balance, brightness and so on)

With the release of Panther, iChat AV came out of Beta. To get iChat AV, you must either buy Panther (it's included) or buy the standalone version for $39. Unless you have a very specific reason, buying Panther makes more sense. All new Macs come with Panther and iChat AV as standard.

Machine speeds and internet connection requirements mean that although iChat is wonderful, it won't suit everyone. Read on if you for some reason you can't use iChat on your computer, because there are many other solutions.

 

 


Apple's new vision: iSight

When Apple announced iChat AV, they had "one more thing" up their sleeves: iSight. The iSight camera is a work of art - it's a beautifully designed, high-quality Firewire-based Webcam. It really is gorgeous, and works extremely well too. Fast, clear, images with good detail and color balance. It also has a built-in microphone. In order to ensure eye-level face-to-face conversations, the iSight comes with three styles of mounting to suit all Mac computers: in the picture below it is attached by one mount - a cool adjustable little clamp - to a PowerBook.

You can also see the LED that lights up when the camera is active. The front ring can be rotated, and this closes an iris for privacy. The iSight has a mechanical auto-focus system that is remarkable - you can hold up a magazine page to the camera, there will be a click, and the camera will refocus - clever stuff. The Firewire cable (with power, sound and video in one) is carried away through the bottom of the mounting. The iSight even comes with a cylindrical plastic box to protect and transport the camera when not in use.

The only issue I have with the iSight is that the flat-screen iMac mounting consists of a self-adhesive pad that is supposed to be stuck to the back of the LCD screen. Sticking stuff to my lovely iMac makes me nervous, but I found that if I used the PowerBook clamp mount back-to-front, it works perfectly. See below:

Good Things about iSight

  • Great pictures.
  • Built-in microphone.
  • Beautiful design and high quality hardware.
  • Comes with mountings for all possible Mac computers or desktop.
  • Carry case included.
  • Works with iChat AV.
  • Works with other software that support a Firewire webcam.

Bad Things about iSight

  • Pricey - it's $150.
  • G4 iMac mounting requires adhesive disk - but see above for workaround.
  • No standard tripod mounting (not a major issue, third parties sell accessories).
  • Gets worryingly hot when connected.

 
Cameras

iSight.
The very cool Firewire webcam from Apple. Not the cheapest by any means, but it is designed by Apple and so it rocks!

iSweet
It's white, it's Japanese, it looks like a white plastic box, it's the iSweet Firewire webcam from Shinza.com. It costs $129, and I can't work out if it includes a microphone.

Unibrain Fire-i (Unibrain home)
Unibrain Fire-i (dealer)
Bundled with iSpQ at time of writing for $119 - $129. The Interesting clip-on style may suit laptops or flat-panel LCD iMacs.

iRez
Range of stylish Firewire webcams compatible with Macs.

iBot Cam
FireWire camera, costs approximately $99. (Note: www.Provantage.com are selling the camera for $75.) The Pro version comes with a built-in microphone, handy if your Mac doesn't have one built-in. (Don't buy the USB2 version by mistake!)

ADS Pyro 1394 Webcam
Comes with dinky little tripod. Costs about $80.

Logitech
With the release of driver software, now it's practical to use USB QuickCams with Macs running OS 10.2.x. The cameras supported are the QuickCam Zoom, QuickCam Pro 4000, and QuickCam for Notebooks Pro. They cost about $70 upwards - at this price, I would still recommend considering the Firewire cameras - especially as iChatAV doesn't support USB cameras very well.

Camera Driver Software

MacCam
Opensource USB driver for various cameras. I've used this with some success. Price is right!

IOExperts
Driver for various FireWire cameras. Costs $19.99.

IOExperts
Driver for various USB cameras. Trial version is free, beta is $14.99, full version $19.99.

Logitech
Logitech have released drivers for many of their QuickCam USB cameras

Video Conferencing Software

iChat
Apple's instant messaging software. The new AV version supports video and sound and is the best OS X solution for Macs today. It comes with Panther and is available as a separate purchase for Jaguar. The only downside is the rather high system and bandwidth requirements. Mac only

SquidSoft
SquidCam, is a good video conferencing tool under active development. There is also a version for Windows, which makes it ideal for cross-platform video calls. I've used SquidCam and can recommend it. It's a little complicated to set up, and performance over modems is a little disappointing, but it works. In fact, over modem links, it's the best performer I've found. Mac/Windows

Yahoo! messenger
Beta Chat application, includes camera support on broadband connection. However, sound is not supported! Only text and images, which is a bit dumb. Mac/Windows

Ircle
A shareware IRC client that also supports video and sound. I've never tried it. Mac only

ISPQ
A cross-platform video conferencing application, costs $39.95. Gerry O. emailed me to tell me that there is a known issue with audio between Mac and PC users, which is annoying. Check before you buy. Mac/Windows

ohphoneX
A free video conferencing tool that claims compatibility with Microsoft's NetMeeting. It's linked to XMeeting. I got this to work using NetMeeting on a PC, and although the video is choppy, it works. Worth a look - especially as it is free. ohPhoneX also works with GnomeMeeting on the PC. Mac/Windows

mac2phone
A commercial service designed to allow Macs to be used as phones using "voice over IP" technology. Effectively you pay a low rate to call long-distance. Video support has been announced as coming soon. Mac/Windows

iVisit
Windows, OS9 and OSX video chat software. Recently updated. Lite version is free. Works over modem speed links as well as broadband - good system to start with if you neeed to talk to PC users or only have a modem link. Mac/Windows

GnomeMeeting
Video conferencing software running under FINK. (i.e. it's a Linux port to OS X). Apparently it will only receive video on the Mac end, not send it. Mac/Windows/Linux

MarratechPro
A professional video conferencing and application/document sharing system, with a Mac OS X client. Mac/Windows/Linux

VChat
VChat is a client for that grand-daddy of video conferencing programs CUSeeMe. CUSeeMe uses the idea of "reflectors" to share video and audio between many clients. This version seems a little picky to set up. Mac/Windows/Linux

SightSpeed
Commercial software for both PCs and Macs. Promises multi-user video chats with up to four people coming soon. Monthly charge of $4.95. Mac/Windows


Macs without Mics

Some Mac models don't have a built in microphone, and therefore require a USB compatible solution, such as Griffin iMic or Macally iVoice.

Alternatively, use a webcam or Camcorder with a built-in microphone.