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Problem connecting on video chat AIM account/Messages

I've recently upgraded to a new iMac (27" Retina, 3.5ghz i5). I'm running Yosemite 10.10.3.


After years of successful and problem-free video chatting with family using an AIM account with Messages (and iChat before that), I'm suddenly having connection issues.


Curiously, I'm able to connect on my first attempt of the day. The video and audio work wonderfully, the chat can go on as long as desired, etc.


With every subsequent attempt to connect, the video chat will *not* connect.


I've deleted and re-added my aim account multiple times. Clearly my router is allowing the video chatting since a) I never had a problem in 8+ years previously with several different macs and b) I am even able to connect on this Mac, albeit intermittently.


I would welcome any advice.

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Jun 19, 2015 3:16 PM

Reply
113 replies

Jun 20, 2015 5:09 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi, Ralph.


The "Error Log" option in the Connection Doctor window is greyed out and says "Error Log (No Errors)"


Here's a copy of the details from the communication error pop-up I got on my most recent attempt:


Date/Time: 2015-06-20 20:03:49 -0400

OS Version: 10.10.3 (Build 14D136)

Report Version: 4



Messages Connection Log:

2015-06-20 20:02:57 -0400: 0x7fc6d4653700: State change from No State to Invited.

2015-06-20 20:03:14 -0400: 0x7fc6d4653700: State change from Invited to Connecting.

2015-06-20 20:03:40 -0400: 0x7fc6d4653700: State change from Connecting to Ended.

2015-06-20 20:03:40 -0400: 0x7fc6d4653700: Error -1 (An unknown error occurred.)



Video Conference Error Report:

44404.192323 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/SIP/SIP.c:2255 type=4 (900A0015/316)

[SIPConnectIPPort failed]

[]





Video Conference Support Report:

44379.420939 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:1973 type=2 (00000000/0)

[Connection Data for call id: 1 returns 1

]

[]

44391.169442 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:1988 type=2 (00000000/0)

[Prepare Connection With Remote Data - remote VCConnectionData: 1, local VCConnectionData: 1

]

[]

44391.190212 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2180 type=2 (00000000/0)

[Initiate Conference To User: u0 with Remote VCConnectionData: 1 with Local Connection Data: 1 conferenceSettings: 1]

[]

44402.191833 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/SIP/Transport.c:2144 type=1 (00000000/0)

[INVITE sip:user@rip:16402 SIP/2.0

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP lip:16402;branch=z9hG4bK01ee8bc2154363af

Max-Forwards: 70

To: "u0" <sip:user@rip:16402>

From: "0" <sip:user@lip:16402>;tag=1602111032

Call-ID: 1e517a8f059ffb4-17a8-11e5-b55e-cef361854012@lip

CSeq: 1 INVITE

Contact: <sip:user@lip:16402>;isfocus

User-Agent: Viceroy 1.4

Content-Type: application/sdp

Content-Length: 689



v=0

o=andrewrein 0 0 IN IP4 lip

s=0

c=IN IP4 lip

b=AS:2147483647

t=0 0

a=hwi:1056:4:3500

a=iChatEncryption:NO

a=bandwidthDetection:YES

m=audio 16402 RTP/AVP 110 12 124 3 0

a=rtcp:16402

a=rtpmap:110 X-AAC_LD/22050

a=rtpmap:3 GSM/8000

a=rtpmap:0 PCMU/8000

a=rtpmap:124 iLBC/8000

a=fmtp:124 mode=30

a=rtpID:2871877168

m=video 16402 RTP/AVP 123 126 34

a=rtcp:16402

a=rtpmap:123 H264/90000

a=rtpmap:126 X-H264/90000

a=rtpmap:34 H263/90000

a=fmtp:34 imagesize 1 rules 30:352:288

a=framerate:30

a=RTCP:AUDIO 16402 VIDEO 16402

a=fmtp:126 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=fmtp:123 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=rtpID:4292457477

]

[]

44402.695492 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/SIP/Transport.c:2144 type=1 (00000000/0)

[INVITE sip:user@rip:16402 SIP/2.0

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP lip:16402;branch=z9hG4bK01ee8bc2154363af

Max-Forwards: 70

To: "u0" <sip:user@rip:16402>

From: "0" <sip:user@lip:16402>;tag=1602111032

Call-ID: 1e517a8f059ffb4-17a8-11e5-b55e-cef361854012@lip

CSeq: 1 INVITE

Contact: <sip:user@lip:16402>;isfocus

User-Agent: Viceroy 1.4

Content-Type: application/sdp

Content-Length: 689



v=0

o=andrewrein 0 0 IN IP4 lip

s=0

c=IN IP4 lip

b=AS:2147483647

t=0 0

a=hwi:1056:4:3500

a=iChatEncryption:NO

a=bandwidthDetection:YES

m=audio 16402 RTP/AVP 110 12 124 3 0

a=rtcp:16402

a=rtpmap:110 X-AAC_LD/22050

a=rtpmap:3 GSM/8000

a=rtpmap:0 PCMU/8000

a=rtpmap:124 iLBC/8000

a=fmtp:124 mode=30

a=rtpID:2871877168

m=video 16402 RTP/AVP 123 126 34

a=rtcp:16402

a=rtpmap:123 H264/90000

a=rtpmap:126 X-H264/90000

a=rtpmap:34 H263/90000

a=fmtp:34 imagesize 1 rules 30:352:288

a=framerate:30

a=RTCP:AUDIO 16402 VIDEO 16402

a=fmtp:126 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=fmtp:123 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=rtpID:4292457477

]

[]

44403.698158 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/SIP/Transport.c:2144 type=1 (00000000/0)

[INVITE sip:user@rip:16402 SIP/2.0

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP lip:16402;branch=z9hG4bK01ee8bc2154363af

Max-Forwards: 70

To: "u0" <sip:user@rip:16402>

From: "0" <sip:user@lip:16402>;tag=1602111032

Call-ID: 1e517a8f059ffb4-17a8-11e5-b55e-cef361854012@lip

CSeq: 1 INVITE

Contact: <sip:user@lip:16402>;isfocus

User-Agent: Viceroy 1.4

Content-Type: application/sdp

Content-Length: 689



v=0

o=andrewrein 0 0 IN IP4 lip

s=0

c=IN IP4 lip

b=AS:2147483647

t=0 0

a=hwi:1056:4:3500

a=iChatEncryption:NO

a=bandwidthDetection:YES

m=audio 16402 RTP/AVP 110 12 124 3 0

a=rtcp:16402

a=rtpmap:110 X-AAC_LD/22050

a=rtpmap:3 GSM/8000

a=rtpmap:0 PCMU/8000

a=rtpmap:124 iLBC/8000

a=fmtp:124 mode=30

a=rtpID:2871877168

m=video 16402 RTP/AVP 123 126 34

a=rtcp:16402

a=rtpmap:123 H264/90000

a=rtpmap:126 X-H264/90000

a=rtpmap:34 H263/90000

a=fmtp:34 imagesize 1 rules 30:352:288

a=framerate:30

a=RTCP:AUDIO 16402 VIDEO 16402

a=fmtp:126 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=fmtp:123 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=rtpID:4292457477

]

[]

44410.220561 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:1973 type=2 (00000000/0)

[Connection Data for call id: 3 returns 1

]

[]

44416.595749 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:1988 type=2 (00000000/0)

[Prepare Connection With Remote Data - remote VCConnectionData: 1, local VCConnectionData: 1

]

[]

44416.595927 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2180 type=2 (00000000/0)

[Initiate Conference To User: u0 with Remote VCConnectionData: 1 with Local Connection Data: 1 conferenceSettings: 1]

[]





Video Conference User Report:

0.000000 @:0 type=5 (00000000/16402)

[Local SIP port]

[]

44374.388310 @:0 type=5 (00000000/43908)

[Local SIP port]

[]

44391.169555 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2085 type=5 (00000000/0)

[Remote Router]

[PORT RESTRICTED]

44391.169559 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2087 type=5 (00000000/0)

[Remote CommNAT Result: 0x000000c0

]

[]

44391.190214 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VideoConferenceGlobalObjects.m:1679 type=5 (00000000/0)

[Router]

[PORT RESTRICTED]

44391.190228 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VideoConferenceGlobalObjects.m:1681 type=5 (00000000/0)

[CommNAT Result: 0x000000d0

]

[]

44416.595820 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2085 type=5 (00000000/0)

[Remote Router]

[PORT RESTRICTED]

44416.595823 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2087 type=5 (00000000/0)

[Remote CommNAT Result: 0x000000c0

]

[]

44416.595929 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VideoConferenceGlobalObjects.m:1679 type=5 (00000000/0)

[Router]

[PORT RESTRICTED]

44416.595932 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-473/Video Conference/VideoConferenceGlobalObjects.m:1681 type=5 (00000000/0)

[CommNAT Result: 0x000000d0

]

[]

Jun 21, 2015 11:41 AM in response to acrein

HI,


This bit:-


[INVITE sip:user@rip:16402 SIP/2.0

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP lip:16402;branch=z9hG4bK01ee8bc2154363af

Max-Forwards: 70

To: "u0" <sip:user@rip:16402>

From: "0" <sip:user@lip:16402>;tag=1602111032

Call-ID: 1e517a8f059ffb4-17a8-11e5-b55e-cef361854012@lip

CSeq: 1 INVITE

Contact: <sip:user@lip:16402>;isfocus

User-Agent: Viceroy 1.4

Content-Type: application/sdp

Content-Length: 689


is the bit that tell you it is trying a Video (or audio call)


SIP (Session Initiation Protocol is how it make the connection.

LIP = Local IP (You)

RIP = Remote IP (Buddy)

isFocus = is the caller (your inviting)


Obviously this is on port 16402 (the expected port).


Th next bit:-


v=0

o=andrewrein 0 0 IN IP4 lip

s=0

c=IN IP4 lip

b=AS:2147483647

t=0 0

a=hwi:1056:4:3500

a=iChatEncryption:NO

a=bandwidthDetection:YES

m=audio 16402 RTP/AVP 110 12 124 3 0

a=rtcp:16402


Tells you the local Mac User account name (Shortname)

It tells you you are using IPv4.

If the connection had been further along it would have identified the Buddy as well.

Encryption is a hangover from iChat when Apple Issue IDs could be encrypted. (AIM did/do encryption but the two are not compatible)


It goes on the tell you the port the Video steam will be on and then later the Audio one (in early iChat they were different).

It also goes on about the frame rate and pic size


a=fmtp:34 imagesize 1 rules 30:352:288

a=framerate:30

a=RTCP:AUDIO 16402 VIDEO 16402

a=fmtp:126 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=fmtp:123 imagesize 0 rules 30:640:480:640:480:30

a=rtpID:4292457477


It suggests it will be at 34fps and settles on 30 and a pic size of 352 X 288 (really quite small).



The Error 1 higher up in the log in fairly non-descript as to why it has failed.

The items at the bottom about the router being Port Restricted may give clues.


Back in the Connection Doctor and the Capabilities what does it say ?

In the Network option what does it say about the Speed and the Router ?


In the app go to Preferences > Video section and change the Bandwidth Limit to 500kbps

This will turn the Network item amber but is still fast enough for 4 way Video chats at 30 frames per sec.


The Port restricted always appears amber but is not a restriction to this working. (Every single Modem that routes and router I have had has been Port Restricted.)


On my router I use UPnP.

This is a setting that opens the ports based on requests from the computer (app) and they close on most devices after a period on non use.

The advantage is that other devices can use the same ports at the same time which is useful for testing to other computers or having computers and devices using the same apps.


The Connection Doctor will only go green for routers that do Full Cone.

Apple Airport devices tend to do Full Cone.


In my experience of using iChat since 2004 is that it also depends what the other end is using.

One end using Full Cone seems to solve all issues.



User uploaded file

7:41 p.m. Sunday; June 21, 2015


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Jun 21, 2015 12:06 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Ralph


Connection Doctor > Capabilities shows a green check mark by every option.


Network was showing green by Bandwidth limitation. I adjusted that to 500 kbps, and it is now orange, and says that Messages is set to limit available bandwidth


Router Type: Port Restricted. This is also orange.


I use an Airport Extreme as my wireless router. This is connected to a combo router/cable modem from my ISP. I have the wireless routing features turned off on that, with my Airport set up to handle all the routing. I have never had - nor do I have now - any other internet related problems.


I do not know what the other end of my video chat is using. (i.e., whether or not it is full cone).

Jun 21, 2015 12:12 PM in response to acrein

HI,


As this used to work for another computer try this.

Go to System Preferences > Network and the Connection method you use and set the IPv6 to the Local only option.



User uploaded file

8:12 p.m. Sunday; June 21, 2015


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Jun 21, 2015 12:18 PM in response to acrein

Hi,


I am subscribed to all Threads I have joined so at some point I will see your reply (I only spend 3 hours a day here and there might be time zones to consider).



User uploaded file

8:18 p.m. Sunday; June 21, 2015


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Jun 24, 2015 8:39 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I've had mixed success connecting. Several of my recent attempts did not go through, yet my most recent - with the same chat partner, mind you - did connect.


Connection Doctor/Statics offered the following during the active chat:


Local

Frame rate (fps): 23.9

Bit rate (kbit/s): 407.4

Frame size: 640 x 480


[Other person]

Frame rate (fps): 14.8

Bit rate (kbit.s): 1,345.7

Frame size: 640 x 480

Audio quality: 100%

Video quality: 100%

Jun 24, 2015 12:26 PM in response to acrein

Hi,


You have a mismatch of speeds.

You are at 407kbps which is a bit of an odd number.

It could be that in Messages > Preferences > Video section you have it set to 500kbps for the Bandwidth Limit and are losing slightly more to other things in your connection.


Most ADSL connections have splits at 128, 256 and then 512kbps which makes the 407 look strange.


The other end obviously has a much faster service overall and is possibly not "capped" in the Bandwidth Limit.


In some cases this can cause you problems as the fast end will think the slower end is not responding.

During a chat the % level can vary as the slow end tries to buffer everything.

It seems also that the Buffering in Messages is still set at iChat 3 speeds when the Max was set by the System Preferences at the time at 1.5Mb 0r 1500kbps.


Modern Fibre and even other "Broadband" speeds can be a lot faster than this.

It can cause problems to both connections and to actual chats.


Get the Buddy to lower his Bandwidth Limit to 500kbps.

This is fast enough for 4 way Video chats.




User uploaded file

8:26 p.m. Wednesday; June 24, 2015


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Jun 27, 2015 11:50 AM in response to acrein

Hi,


I must admit that whilst it sometimes cure a problem with the app because the updates actually does update that part of the app in most cases an OS update does not include an update for Messages and changes nothing.


For instance, during the whole life of Mountain Lion Messages was only updated to version 7.0.1 at the OS X 10.8.2 update.


User uploaded file

7:50 p.m. Saturday; June 27, 2015


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Jul 16, 2015 8:01 AM in response to acrein

I too have had trouble connecting on Messages for video chatting. Used to do a 3-way videochat with my mom and brother every morning. I recently spent hours on the phone with Apple's tech support and the final outcome seems to be that there is something with AIM that AOL is responsible for. However, how come we can't use GoogleTalk on Messages to videochat also? There have been a few times over the past month when we could all connect on Messages using AIM but for over a week now, we have tried daily with no success. We all use Yosemite. None of us can connect with any one of us using Messages. We have tried all of us doing the inviting--no go. Our workaround is to use FaceTime on the computer and FaceTime on my iPad. I try to position the iPad so we can all see each other. Of course, it isn't as good as having Messages to do a 3-way video chat but we can still visit each morning. I am surprised more people are not complaining about this problem. I would like to reiterate that we have tried connecting with AIM on Messages and GoogleTalk accounts and lately neither of those work.

Problem connecting on video chat AIM account/Messages

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