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10-05-2011, 09:10 AM #1
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How do I make video calls with my iMac?Hello there,
I trust that I am in the correct forum here.
I have never really felt the need to explore this issue until a recent opportunity presented itself via an informal request that I become involved in an online discussion with video.
I realise that I have Photobooth and a built in iSight camera which is something that I've only ever used for pulling funny faces on, but how do I go about setting up a Mac friendly method whereby I can join in with (or prompt) a video call?
Would anyone know what the most popular and efficient methods are at all. I've been looking at iChat initially but it looks a bit restrictive to me?
Thanks in advance,
Liam
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10-05-2011, 10:18 AM #2
There is a bunch of options for video calls:
Facetime:
- Mac to Mac, Mac to iPhone, Mac to iPad (short: between Apple devices with a camera and Facetime installed)
- Facetime needs to be purchased and downloaded from the App Store
Skype:
- Skype is a cross platform app to chat and talk
- Works with smartphones where supported, Mac, Linux and Windows systems
- Software is free at skype.com - just download, install and setup an account
iChat
- On Macs to video chat between iChat users
- App should be pre-installed on your machine
GTalk/Google Voice
- If you have a gmail account you can do that straight from the browser
- Once you use it the first time you may have to install a plugin, after that you can chat with other gmail users straight from the browser
- Log into your account via mail.google.com and find the contact list to the left
- Users who have a camera and accept video calls will have a small camera icon next to their name
Google+
- You can create "Hangouts" in Google+ and have video conferences with a lot of people
- Log into your G+ account and create a hangout through a link on the right
- People in circles that you added to the hangout will be able to join you
...I believe Facebook rolled out a similar feature - I don;t use FB though, so I don't know.
Hope that gives you something to start :-) Happy conferencing!
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10-05-2011, 10:28 AM #3
Moved thread - "Movies and Video" is more for production and creation related threads.
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10-05-2011, 10:36 AM #4
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Hi Dekan,
This is very comprehensive thank you.
I'm leaning towards Skype....I can't guarantee Mac to Mac, iChat would be good but I don't want to open new subscription accounts.
I'll have a closer look at Skype as it seems the more popular.
Thanks once again.
p.s Vansmith, thanks for moving the post..my mistake
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10-05-2011, 11:22 AM #5
No worries! I like the way skype works (even though it's owned by Microsoft now ;-) ) and your camera image is usually fantastic. The Mac built in cameras have superb quality.
Cheers!
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10-05-2011, 11:35 AM #6
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Just been having a look at Skype....free video conferencing and a nice interface. I think MS used to own or still do own a chunk of Apple so not a problem. If you have used Skype are there any security issues that you are aware of given that it's owned by MS?
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10-05-2011, 01:07 PM #7
Not that I know of. I have been using Skype for a number of years and I haven't had any issues...
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10-05-2011, 01:12 PM #8
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10-05-2011, 01:41 PM #9
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I see, it's possible that I could set up iChat with MobileMe ( I bought it with my iMac). I used it briefly but it didn't perform very well because my iPhone and iCal/Mail kept conflicting. I remember that I had a pig of a time turning it off and reverting back to my standard mail server. Does it follow that an iChat user can't converse with a Skype user via video?
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10-05-2011, 01:42 PM #10
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10-05-2011, 03:18 PM #11
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10-05-2011, 04:25 PM #12
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