How to Video Conference Using iChat and AIM

This video conferencing tutorial will show you how to set up iChat AV and AIM 5.9 to allow you to audio or video conference. Included are step-by-step instructions, firewall port settings and troubleshooting guides for both Mac and Windows XP. Video conferencing can be very easy to use once it is set up correctly. If you have the right equipment video and audio quality are surprisingly good.

I recommend getting a high quality Firewire video camera and a good microphone, instead of a cheap USB camera/mic. For the best, full-screen, high-frame-rate, video conference experience use a recent Apple Macintosh with an iSight camera.

Feel free to test your video conferencing set-up with me if I'm online. Since I only have a few seconds to respond to a video conferencing request be sure to try it at least twice if you do not get an answer back on the first try.

To video conference with us you will need either a .Mac member name or a AIM (AOL Instant Messaging Network) screen name. Both are free. You do not need to sign-up for AOL to get the screen name for video conferencing. We are connected via our AIM screen name of which is currently

AIM screen name

To register for an AIM screenname go to my.screenname.aol.com. Click on then “Create one FREE now" link. Follow the instructions and fill out the information requested. After you register, AIM sends you e-mail, allowing you to confirm your registration request.

You can also get an AIM screen name at www.aim.com. Click on the Download Now button to be taken to the download page. Click on the "New Users Click Here" button. Fill in the form to sign-up. It's free.

For Mac OS X users, your .Mac member name (membername@mac.com) is a valid screenname on the AIM network, even if you no longer subscribe to .Mac. You must give out your screen name with the @mac.com on the end.

Macintosh users

If you are using Apple OS X Panther (10.3) then You only need to connect a camera. OSX 10.2 users needed to purchase iChat AV from Apple.

iChat AV connects directly to a Firewire camera. The best is Apple's iSight and is the one we use. Dual-element noise-canceling microphone, internal video processors, auto focusing, auto exposure F/2.8 lens, a 1/4-inch CCD sensor with 640x480 (VGA) resolution, capturing 30 fps, aluminum-alloy exterior; is why we think it is the best. The dual noise cancelling mic helps clean up audio you send and limits the "echo effect."

iChat AV with iSight allows you to connect with other iChat users at 30 fps, 640 by 480 pixels and even size that up to full screen! No other computer-based video conferencing system provides such high quality. And OS X 10.4, coming by June '05, will also allow 4-way video conferencing and provide higher picture quality.

You could also use Firewire cameras from other vendors or even your firewire DV camcorder. To use a USB camera with iChat you will need to get iChatUSBCam. While you are there get the bundle, because iGlasses is well worth the price. I use iGlasses for easy color and brightness corrections of my iSight in all lighting conditions and notice that many who contact me could use it too. (I've also mounted my camera upside down.) The same company now offers Conference Recorder for iChat AV which allows you to effortlessly record your sessions.

iChat tutorial - start iChat AV and open up the Buddy List (Cmd-1, or Window >> Buddy List.) Check that your camera is on by clicking the green camera next to your name. Adjust as needed by clicking on Preferences.

On the bottom left corner of the Buddy List is a plus sign: click on the plus sign to add a new buddy. From the screen that appears select New Person. On the next screen that appears fill in >>> Account Type: AIM , and Account Name:   which is currently

My screen name will appear in your buddy list, along with my current status. If I am available, double click on the camera icon next to my name and you will be directly connected to me. If I am on the phone, I may respond via IM asking you to call back. (Or you can send an IM to make sure I am available before you connect via video.) Your camera will be in a small picture inside my picture. You can drag to re-size either picture, or for a real treat click on the button to go full screen.

iChat troubleshooting: One potential conflict with iChat is Vonage VoIP. There is a Vonage port conflict as Vonage uses the same ports as iChat. I have a Vonage box and have it set up in their "alternative method" and it works well. Previously, I hooked it up in their standard configuration and found that the Vonage box was not so good at letting through all the data my computer needs and even checking email was not reliable. The standard Vonage configuration is Cable modem/DSL >> Vonage >> router >> computer(s). However, once I set up Vonage the alternative way everything worked well.

The alternative way is Cable modem/DSL >> Router >> Mac / Vonage / PC connected to the router. The downside to this method is that the Vonage box now can't steal bandwidth from your other uses to keep the audio quality at the highest setting and you cannot use your browser to change the settings of the Vonage box. The good news is I haven't noticed conflicts in over a year.

Most other issues with iChat revolve around firewall ports, (see below) or trying to connect a non-supported USB camera. (see above)

iSight audio problems: iChat can select from all the audio-in sources you may have. So, if you can't be heard, but can be seen, change the audio source in iChat's video preferences. Some have reported that from time to time the microphone in their iSight is no longer recognized and that they must unplug and plug back in the iSight. Before doing so, change to a different audio source in iChat preferences (not the system Sound preference) then change back to iSight mic. That could be all it takes.

Windows XP users

If you are using MS Windows XP then you can video conference with us via AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), version 5.5/5.9 or later. If you do not have version 5.5 go to go to www.aim.com and upgrade your current version (Upgrade Now!) or download the latest version. (Download Now)

If you are a new user then you will be taken to the "Create a Screen Name" page. Fill in the form and submit. You will then be able to download the software and you'll already have your screenname to boot. Write it down. (You can also get a screen name the first time you start AIM by pressing the "Get Screen Name" button.)

Once you have downloaded and installed AIM, connect your camera to your PC. Again, we recommend a Firewire camera instead of a cheap USB camera. We've chatted with people using either and the difference is noticeable. If some one has written drivers for Apple's iSight to work on a PC and it works well, then the iSight is recommended (as of this writing in Winter '05 only the video is recognized in XP with generic firewire camera drivers.) Otherwise a Firewire camera from another vendor or even your DV camcorder should work. If you do not have a Firewire connection on your PC and can only use a USB camera get the highest quality available.

Alternately to AIM, use Trillian, which is an all-in-one chat client that can also connect with iChat. For video conferencing you need the $25 Pro version (a two-week free trial is available.) One neat feature is the video screen can be "resized." It is not as clear as the video iChat provides and nor is the fps as high but still it is much better than AIM's fixed video window.

AIM tutorial - open AIM by selecting the AIM icon from the bottom right task bar and select the Sign On menu item. Once you are connected select the Setup button (with the plus and minus signs) toward the lower right hand of the AIM screen. Click on the Add Buddy button on the lower left. Type in my AOL screen name of:   which is currently

If you want me to initiate the call send me an instant message asking me to connect and if I am available I will connect to you. If you do not hear from me, I am most likely away from my computer. Once I invite you to a video conference, even if it is just one way, you will have to first press the Accept button. Then select the My Buddy tab in the video screen area. You will see me in the small, non-resizable, screen. If you have a camera connected press the pip icon to see your screen in the corner.

General AIM troubleshooting: One problem regularly seen with AIM 5.5 and video cameras is the configuration settings in the video/audio tuner don't "stick" and have to be re-run each time. I have yet to hear of a solution for those with this "feature."

If you are not getting a good frame rate or cannot even connect to AIM you may need to Auto Configure. Open up a new chat window by clicking on one of your active buddies. This window has "File" "Edit" "Insert" and "People" on top. Click > "File" then > IM Preferences then> Sign On/Off. Then click > Connection > "Auto Configure" > OK > Check to be sure your connection speed is on LAN and not modem the > OK. This automatically configures your connection. AIM Preferences can also be found in the pop up menu in the status bar.

For some users the AIM Live Video patch needs to be added to get good results. You can get the patch at: ftp.newaol.com/aim/win95/aimrtc12.exe

AIM cannot compete with other programs for use of the camera. If you can "see" that the PC user's camera is connected but they cannot see themselves from AIM then there is a conflict with other software installed on the PC that is trying to access the camera. The PC user will need to quit any other application that might be trying to use the camera, including spyware, that could be trying to use the camera before AIM can have access to the camera.

If the PC user can see themselves with their camera in AIM but you cannot "see" that their camera is connected (in iChat it is the camera icon next to their name) then there is most likely a firewall issue. If opening local router ports does not help (see below) move the equipment to another location to see if you can then connect. If so, then there is a firewall or other hardware device blocking access at the original location. Some universities regularly block access to video conference ports.

I do not have our PC hooked up for video conferencing so we cannot answer specific questions regarding your particular set-up.

Firewall issues

The main roadblock to video conferencing with a PC is firewall or network router ports not opened, disallowing the video information to get through. Although you may not realize it, firewall software may be used by your Internet Service Provider, your company, your Windows XP operating system or even in the hardware in your home that connects you to the Internet. If you have a home network or broadband router, there is likely a firewall built into it.

Click on the image on the right to see a typical Linksys router setting for opening the ports that iChat uses or see the page on Apple's web site that lists each port and what it does. AIM uses the same ports mentioned on Apple's page so PC users should open the same ports. If you want the short version: open ports 5060, 5190, 5297, 5298, 5353, 5678, 16384-16403 and be done with it. D-Link router set up.

The AIM web site states that if either you, or the person you want to video conference with are behind a firewall and are having problems getting it to operate, "work with your Internet Service Provider, your company's system administrator or modify your firewall software yourself to open ports 1024 through 5000." Though opening all those ports seems excessive to me, it is what AIM suggests and is mentioned here for completeness.

Once you have manually opened the correct ports (if you actually need to) video conferencing is quick and easy. Please note: I have my system behind the above pictured Linksys router and do not have any ports "opened" (even though it the photo indicates that I do) and have no problems connecting to PCs with AIM or Macs with iChat.

Windows XP internal firewall: Updating a Windows XP computer to SP2 (Service Pack 2) may cause Mac iChat AV to AIM 5.5/5.9 PC video and audio connections to fail because, by default, the firewall created by SP2 blocks UPnP communications from the Internet. If the SP2 firewall is enabled: Go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center > Manage security settings for: Windows Firewall > Exceptions tab> add or check UPnP Framework as an Exception. Select UPnP Framework and click the Edit... button. Be sure that both the TCP 2869 and UDP 1900 ports are checked and listed as 'Any' under Scope.

If the Scope of each port is listed as 'Subnet,' click the Change scope... button, and select the 'Any computer (Including those on the Internet)' radio button. Do this for both ports, and then save the changes by clicking the OK buttons. Simple, right?

Mac OS X internal firewall: To chat with the Mac OS X Firewall active, follow these steps to add the necessary ports: Open System Preferences > Sharing > Firewall > New. From the Port Name pop-up menu, choose Other. In the Port Number, Range or Series field, type in: 5060, 5190, 5297, 5298 In the Description field type in: iChat AV Click OK. Simple, right?

Final Comments

I hope you find this tutorial useful. If there is anything you have discovered that I should correct or can add please let me know. Also, feel free to test your set-up by giving me a ring. Since I only have a few seconds to respond to a video conferencing request be sure to try it at least twice if you do not get an answer back on the first try. I am currently

Finally, if you want the very best video conferencing experience then get a recent Apple Macintosh running OS X with an iSight over Firewire. It will be easier to set up, you won't have to concern yourself with spyware, adware, worms, malware, Trojan horses, email viruses or, to a great extent, email spam and your Word, Excel and Power Point files will still be compatible, and you'll save time (= money) in the long run. Your video conferencing experience will be much more rewarding at 30 fps. I can't really share the thrill you (or your family) will have when you hit the full screen button while video conferencing. Get a Mac and leave 2.5 inch video conferencing behind.

Happy video conferencing!