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HI All,
I have an intel 24" iMac, but have never used the camera, iChat.
Q: Is Skype becoming the de-facto A/V program?
I'm going on a trip (Australia) and thought I'd setup the video for my wife (so she can remember who I am). But as usual I'm not sure what I should do because "I" won't be taking a laptop with me, which means I'm at the mercy of friends or tech shops computers.
Appreciate any advise,
Thanks
Peter
PS: also OS 10.4.11
ichat ?
MultiQuote
#5
dougster 
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Posted 21 May 2009 - 03:54 PM
Hi -Peter,
I agree with the other guys on using Skype and its more or less the de-facto. Don't you ever watch the news? :D If I had a camera we could test drive it before you go to AussieLand. But I'm sure you'll do that before you bail out. My cousins use it and they say its pretty easy and saves bucks. Just make sure you have the conference call, with the little lady, before you start cocktail hour. :^0
PeterG said:
HI All,
I have an intel 24" iMac, but have never used the camera, iChat.
Q: Is Skype becoming the de-facto A/V program?
I'm going on a trip (Australia) and thought I'd setup the video for my wife (so she can remember who I am). But as usual I'm not sure what I should do because "I" won't be taking a laptop with me, which means I'm at the mercy of friends or tech shops computers.
Appreciate any advise,
Thanks
Peter
PS: also OS 10.4.11
I have an intel 24" iMac, but have never used the camera, iChat.
Q: Is Skype becoming the de-facto A/V program?
I'm going on a trip (Australia) and thought I'd setup the video for my wife (so she can remember who I am). But as usual I'm not sure what I should do because "I" won't be taking a laptop with me, which means I'm at the mercy of friends or tech shops computers.
Appreciate any advise,
Thanks
Peter
PS: also OS 10.4.11
I agree with the other guys on using Skype and its more or less the de-facto. Don't you ever watch the news? :D If I had a camera we could test drive it before you go to AussieLand. But I'm sure you'll do that before you bail out. My cousins use it and they say its pretty easy and saves bucks. Just make sure you have the conference call, with the little lady, before you start cocktail hour. :^0
#7
smax013
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Posted 22 May 2009 - 07:55 AM
Tom_Diola said:
One additional: Skype doesn't work on my 1st Gen [read: edge] iPhone unless I'm on WiFi.
To my knowledge, the Skype app ONLY works on WiFi...no matter the generation of iPhone (maybe unless you jailbreak it). From what I recall, this was due to restrictions places by AT&T...the same restrictions that resulted in the SlingPlayer app only working on WiFi.
#8
PeterG
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Posted 22 May 2009 - 08:50 AM
Hi Guys, (thanks for your input)...................
I downloaded it yesterday (2.7), set the configuration to what "I think" would be correct....................
Adding my contacts it showed I had several people already using it....................
SO,...................
I made a call, last night and it worked. Yeah!! (skype to skype)...................
This morning after turning on my iMac, and opened Skype (I like to manually open app's) I received a call, surprised, (I have to get used to it) and had a VIDEO chat with someone who lives in Australia, but is on a vacation in Asia, calling the US. (skype to skype)....................
SO...................
I now know the video chat work's. We had the video chat for about 1/2 hr. ...................
Thanks again for helping me make up my mind....................
Peter...................
Cocktail hour, heck I get off the plane and it's pretty much, "Pete good to see'ya mate, want a beer?" :) I forgot to mention that last for my entre stay, so I'm pretty much done-in by the time I get back. Oh, from those beautiful white and colored sand beaches. It's a tough trip.
I downloaded it yesterday (2.7), set the configuration to what "I think" would be correct....................
Adding my contacts it showed I had several people already using it....................
SO,...................
I made a call, last night and it worked. Yeah!! (skype to skype)...................
This morning after turning on my iMac, and opened Skype (I like to manually open app's) I received a call, surprised, (I have to get used to it) and had a VIDEO chat with someone who lives in Australia, but is on a vacation in Asia, calling the US. (skype to skype)....................
SO...................
I now know the video chat work's. We had the video chat for about 1/2 hr. ...................
Thanks again for helping me make up my mind....................
Peter...................
Cocktail hour, heck I get off the plane and it's pretty much, "Pete good to see'ya mate, want a beer?" :) I forgot to mention that last for my entre stay, so I'm pretty much done-in by the time I get back. Oh, from those beautiful white and colored sand beaches. It's a tough trip.
#11
PeterG
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Posted 23 May 2009 - 12:54 PM
smax013,
"Take me! Take me!"
I would but, a month+ of forcing you to go to topless beaches, going to Australian Rules Football games, lot's of parties and drinking all that beer.
I just wouldn't feel right. Maybe next time :(
Peter :)
"Take me! Take me!"
I would but, a month+ of forcing you to go to topless beaches, going to Australian Rules Football games, lot's of parties and drinking all that beer.
I just wouldn't feel right. Maybe next time :(
Peter :)
#12
smax013
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Posted 23 May 2009 - 01:38 PM
PeterG said:
smax013,
"Take me! Take me!"
I would but, a month+ of forcing you to go to topless beaches, going to Australian Rules Football games, lot's of parties and drinking all that beer.
I just wouldn't feel right. Maybe next time :(
Peter :)
"Take me! Take me!"
I would but, a month+ of forcing you to go to topless beaches, going to Australian Rules Football games, lot's of parties and drinking all that beer.
I just wouldn't feel right. Maybe next time :(
Peter :)
The horror of it all! Well, you will just have to suffer without me then, it looks like! :D
#13
PeterG
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Posted 28 May 2009 - 10:53 AM
OK, it works.
Now, for future purchases, as video chatting becomes more popular. (I'm hooked. Makes e-mail look like a T-model ford.)
So in order (messing up my circle) the "minimum evil circle of spec's", what one should have. What should everyone look for in their computer. Without buying a TV station.
ISP speed,
modem,
OS,
camera/speaker A/V,
graphic cards,
cables,
etc....
Stuff like that. I still don't have a macbook/laptop but after my video chats, a list of what I/we should have as a minimum is now very important.
And many will have different views, but there must be a general standard of min' spec's that everyone can agree on.
Or a list of spec's that gives you a video quality without any lag or breaking up.
simple questions.... :)
Peter
Now, for future purchases, as video chatting becomes more popular. (I'm hooked. Makes e-mail look like a T-model ford.)
So in order (messing up my circle) the "minimum evil circle of spec's", what one should have. What should everyone look for in their computer. Without buying a TV station.
ISP speed,
modem,
OS,
camera/speaker A/V,
graphic cards,
cables,
etc....
Stuff like that. I still don't have a macbook/laptop but after my video chats, a list of what I/we should have as a minimum is now very important.
And many will have different views, but there must be a general standard of min' spec's that everyone can agree on.
Or a list of spec's that gives you a video quality without any lag or breaking up.
simple questions.... :)
Peter
#14
smax013
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- Joined: 06-July 07
Posted 28 May 2009 - 02:23 PM
PeterG said:
OK, it works.
Now, for future purchases, as video chatting becomes more popular. (I'm hooked. Makes e-mail look like a T-model ford.)
So in order (messing up my circle) the "minimum evil circle of spec's", what one should have. What should everyone look for in their computer. Without buying a TV station.
ISP speed,
modem,
OS,
camera/speaker A/V,
graphic cards,
cables,
etc....
Stuff like that. I still don't have a macbook/laptop but after my video chats, a list of what I/we should have as a minimum is now very important.
And many will have different views, but there must be a general standard of min' spec's that everyone can agree on.
Or a list of spec's that gives you a video quality without any lag or breaking up.
simple questions.... :)
Peter
Now, for future purchases, as video chatting becomes more popular. (I'm hooked. Makes e-mail look like a T-model ford.)
So in order (messing up my circle) the "minimum evil circle of spec's", what one should have. What should everyone look for in their computer. Without buying a TV station.
ISP speed,
modem,
OS,
camera/speaker A/V,
graphic cards,
cables,
etc....
Stuff like that. I still don't have a macbook/laptop but after my video chats, a list of what I/we should have as a minimum is now very important.
And many will have different views, but there must be a general standard of min' spec's that everyone can agree on.
Or a list of spec's that gives you a video quality without any lag or breaking up.
simple questions.... :)
Peter
Generally speaking, the biggest "hurdle" is the Internet connection speed. As long as you have a halfway decent broadband connection, you should be good to go. Faster connections are better, but I believe a 1.5 Mbps DSL connection will work.
Beyond that, the minimum requirements are fairly minimum. To my knowledge, just about any graphics card/system should be fine. Both Windows and the Mac OS have Skype. There is a version for Linux too.
And just about any USB 2.0 webcam should work. The toughest part might be getting drives for Linux (they should not be a problem for Windows...might be tough with a Mac, but the iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air all come with webcams built in...only need an external one with a Mac mini or Mac Pro).
Thus, you should have little problem with just about any newer computer as long as you have a fast enough connection.
