iChat AV and Comcast vs. AT&T

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iChat AV and Comcast vs. AT&T

Hi everyone -

We are moving to San Francisco and are deciding what service to get for Internet and phone. Using iChat video is important to us, so we need to make sure whatever we get is compatible with that.

I know Vonage has a port conflict with iChat video. Does anyone happen to know if Comcast Digital Voice has the same conflict? I heard something about Comcast doing packet-shaping (whatever that is) which might cause an iChat video conflict with or without voice. Any insight here is appreciated. The triple play seems like the best option if there is no conflict.

Incidentally, though this isn't an Apple question, we also have an old Tivo Series 1 DVR if anyone knows whether Comcast Digital Voice can be used for the outgoing phone calls.

Thanks in advance.

Best,
-- venk --

iMac (Intel), Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Dec 10, 2007 9:32 AM

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Answer 1

MGA321

Level 1

19 points

Dec 10, 2007 9:58 AM in response to venkreddy

venk,

iChat with Comcast has become difficult. iChat sessions start off ok, but quickly deteriorate. This only happens while I am on comcast's network. I travel alot, including overseas, and never have a problem while outside of comcast. It seems to have started around last August, around the time I went for the triple play package, but cannot confirm that it is the phone's modem. Check around these boards and on google. It seems that many comcast subscribers are having iChat issues.

Good Luck

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Answer 2

Dec 10, 2007 2:31 PM in response to venkreddy

Comcast.

Make sure System Preferences > Quicktime is set to 1.5Mbps
Make sure iChat > Preferences > Video Section > Bandwidth Limit Drop down is set to 500Kbps

Comcast say their Digital Voice does not block any ports.

A Vonage device needs to be off another ethernet port on a router (just Not in Line between modem and Computer).

Comcast claim that their data stream management should not effect iChat <cough behind hand saying rude word> and is faster for there customers <laugh hysterically>.
Most people notice that just doing ordinary downloads slow down.

The 500kbps setting should sort this.

10:31 PM Monday; December 10, 2007

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Answer 3

Dec 11, 2007 9:21 PM in response to venkreddy

I'm in the east San Francisco bay area, with AT&T, and iChat works like a champ-

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