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

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!

Moved thread - "Movies and Video" is more for production and creation related threads.

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

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!

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?

Not that I know of. I have been using Skype for a number of years and I haven't had any issues...

pendlewitch said:

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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I use Skype,iChat and FaceTime and the only issue I see if one of the parties bandwidth is limited you will experience choppy video or possible loss of video all together. I prefer the quality of iChat and FaceTime so far.

osxx said:

I use Skype,iChat and FaceTime and the only issue I see if one of the parties bandwidth is limited you will experience choppy video or possible loss of video all together. I prefer the quality of iChat and FaceTime so far.

Click to expand...

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?

dekan said:

Not that I know of. I have been using Skype for a number of years and I haven't had any issues...

Click to expand...

BTW thanks Dekan

pendlewitch said:

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?

Click to expand...

Yes and I believe it works with Yahoo's also so long as they are in your contacts I have only tried Skype to iChat.

osxx said:

Yes and I believe it works with Yahoo's also so long as they are in your contacts I have only tried Skype to iChat.

Click to expand...

Now then, there's a thing..
Thank you.