Can't host multiperson video conference

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Level 1

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Can't host multiperson video conference

Greetings,

I'm running 10.4.7 and I recently installed a new iSight on my Power Mac G5 (Dual 1.8s / 1.5 GB RAM). I can successfully initiate and conduct a video chat with a single buddy. However, when I try to initiate a multiperson (two people - same house) conference, iChat tells me I am not able to initiate a multiperson chat. (I'm wondering if the fact that I'm using PowerPC and the buddies are using Intel chips has anything to do with this).

The two other buddies are on a new MacBook Pro and a new iMac. Both have the required amount of memory and processor power according to iChat's specs, as do I. They also have trouble initiating a multiperson chat. We all have enough internet speed as well, so we've "passed" all of the requirements to have a multiperson conference, but iChat says "no!". What gives?

Thanks,

Ryan

Dual 1.8 PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Dual 1.8 PowerMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jul 26, 2006 3:24 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 26, 2006 4:05 PM in response to ryno.man

Hi Ryno.man,

Run the Cron scripts as a first stage
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=122021

12:05 AM Thursday; July 27, 2006

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Answer 2

ryno.man Author

Level 1

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Jul 26, 2006 5:38 PM in response to ryno.man

Thanks for the response, Ralph. We have each tried running the cron scripts, rebooted, and we're still getting the same "cannot start video chat / your computer is not capable of initiating a multiperson video chat" error message.

also, we have the multi-camera icons, which supposedly means the computer is capable of hosting a multi-user chat...rrgh!

thanks everyone.

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Answer 3

Jul 27, 2006 4:24 AM in response to ryno.man

Hi Ryno.man,

The other criteria is that your internet connection has to be fast enough.

This can also be capped by System Preferences > Quicktime > Streaming tab (it should match your download or a max of 1.5meg) or in iChat > Preferences > Video section > Bnadwidth Limit drop down which should be set to NONE

If you change the Quicktime setting restart iChat to see the new speed.

12:24 PM Thursday; July 27, 2006

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Answer 4

Aug 2, 2006 9:53 AM in response to ryno.man

We had the same issue here, (we are all on the same subnet) and the suggestion to change the Quicktime and iChat settings worked like a charm! We all had single video icons, and after the change and restarting iChat, we all had the multiple video icons.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

As an FYI - We are however experiencing an interesting phenomenon, the 4th person in the chat doesn't seem to change to the multivideo panes screen right away. Eventually it will come up, but it seems as though it cached all the video from the other 3 participants and runs it in ffwd. Fun to watch, however, delay is disconcerting.

17" MBP 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2GB RAM

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Answer 5

Aug 2, 2006 10:05 AM in response to Macgyyver

Hi Macgyyver,

Welcome to the Apple Discussions

Yes Chat 3 has a buffer that does this. It can be amusing.

I have not seen it in a while. (not since about 10.4.4) What OS level is th 4th buddy at ?

6:06 PM Wednesday; August 2, 2006

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Answer 6

ryno.man Author

Level 1

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Aug 2, 2006 6:28 PM in response to ryno.man

hello responders and posters,

my group was able to do a 3-way chat, which was hosted by the MacBook Pro. we've adjusted our Quicktime and iChat bandwith adjustments according to Ralph's suggestion, but still won't let us crazy G5 and new iMac users host a chat! since last week, the MacBook pro user could not host either. iChat decided it didn't want to cooperate this time??!!

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Answer 7

Aug 3, 2006 3:49 PM in response to ryno.man

Hi ryno.man,

Do the computers show the stacked Video icons ?

Do you all have an up connection speed over 348kbps ?

If the computers do stay on 24/7 consider running the Cron scripts http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=122021

11:49 PM Thursday; August 3, 2006

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Answer 8

ryno.man Author

Level 1

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Aug 3, 2006 5:34 PM in response to ryno.man

yes, each of us has the stacked video icons, and are above 384 kbps. we've also reinstalled 10.4.7, in case that has anything to do with anything. no dice.

thanks for your time helping with this.

Ryan

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Answer 9

Aug 3, 2006 8:46 PM in response to ryno.man

One thing you could try is installing the PowerBoost free demo just to see if it helps. It doesn't seem like it should be required in your situation, but it's worth a try.

http://www.ecamm.com/mac/powerboost/

-ken

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Answer 10

Aug 4, 2006 3:28 AM in response to ryno.man

Hi ryno.man,

You did restart iChat after the Quicktime setting change ?

11:29 AM Friday; August 4, 2006

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Answer 11

Aug 6, 2006 5:41 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

ralph,
I'm running a new macbook and also have a 800MHz G4 iMac with 512ram and a 1.33 GHz iBook with 256 ram and both are running 10.4.7.... I recently added an iSight to their arsenal so I could video conference with any.
One-on-one they work magnificent, but the Video conference between the three doesn't work. I got the message that neither could connect to the video conference... I ran the Quicktime and iChat preference updates on both and the iBook changed to the stacked icon... but the iMac will not.... I have all available software updates on the iMac and don't know why it won't work... any more suggestions?
thanks,
Johnny

Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 12

Aug 7, 2006 3:23 AM in response to Kingcas743

Hi Kingcas743,

The iMac is not fast enough to join a Multichat in Video. It needs to be a 1Ghz G4 or higher.

PowerBoost is probably the way to go.

11:22 AM Monday; August 7, 2006

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Answer 13

Aug 7, 2006 8:34 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi Ryno.man,

The other criteria is that your internet connection
has to be fast enough.

This can also be capped by System Preferences >
Quicktime > Streaming tab (it should match your
download or a max of 1.5meg) or in iChat >
Preferences > Video section > Bnadwidth Limit drop
down which should be set to NONE

If you change the Quicktime setting restart iChat to
see the new speed.

12:24 PM Thursday; July 27, 2006

Thanks for the clue on the quicktime settings. I just got a new MacBook Pro and just could not understand why it could not host or even participate in a mulit-person chat. My QT setting was "Automatic". Once I changed it to Intranet/LAN, it shows up. Now to see why I keep getting all these not enough bandwidth messages.....

Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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Answer 14

Defcom-UK

Level 6

15,488 points

Aug 7, 2006 8:41 AM in response to spoonman1227

Hi

In Quicktime dont go higher then 1.5Mbps.

Tony

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Answer 15

Aug 7, 2006 2:12 PM in response to spoonman1227

Hi Spoonman1227,

You are welcome.

10:12 PM Monday; August 7, 2006

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