PIRX  I think different. These good ratings are not justified, as I completely fail in understanding the near total lack of audio/video support for major networks.

If it ain't AIM, it ain't working on iChat. This is not acceptable. If AIM is the answer, then it must have been a silly question.

Mac users can rightfully can expect a working audio/video iChat supporting mainstream networks on OS X.  
(Version 5.0)

CLAUCLAU  10.3: Perfect Operating System, Perfect iChat.

10.4: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.1: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.2: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.3: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.4: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.5: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.6: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.7: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.8: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.9: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.10: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.4.11: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.1: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.2: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.3: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.4: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.5: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.6: iChat error -7, -8, -20

10.5.7: ????  
(Version 4.0.7)

JRWHO  I love iChat, I couldn't live without it. I would like to see a better way to export logs (so I could give them to PC users too) though. For the most part it's pretty stable and it has a gorgeous interface!  
(Version 4.0.5)

PIRX  Simply the best.  
(Version 3.1.6)

ABATES25  Ahhhh...the update which adds support for Apples phone....  
(Version 3.1.6)

APPLECRYPT MODS  iChat is superb!! Thanks apple for a great piece of s/w - looking forward to the leopard version even moreso :-)  
(Version 3.1.6)

APPLEDOGX  iChat usually performs fairly well, but sometimes, even with good bandwidth, refuses to connect.

The idea that you have to pay $99 for .Mac to get encrypted chat is really a slap at users who purchase MacOS though.  
(Version 2.1)

FEEDPHILLIPNOW1  Absolutely horrible! Its the only thing I dislike about my Mac, or Mac's in general. I cannot connect to ANYONE I know through AIM, Ive tried Adium and it doesnt do much either. Ive configured settings, tried everything and no go, Ive only had one successful video chat ever and I think it was a flooke thing. I use a brand new iMac G5 BTW. But often it will freeze up, say errors, knock me off the internet (DSL) I dont like it.   
(Version 2.1)

NICK ANATALA  i too am looking for an installer for ichat 2.0. when i called apple to see if they could help they told me to call Mac-Pro for support, but when i called their bussiness was closed. i would try to call Mac-Pro and leave a message.  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  Great application that works quite well. File-transfer speed is stunning and the video conference-quality is how it should be.

Unfortunately (and logical) it still isn't integrated with MSN Messenger for Windows XP, which is the reason I am forced to use the independent software Adium.   
(Version 2.1)

RITZ  why don´t make it work with our home mail,either if it is from yahoo,msn,etc...because all my friends have those e-mails and i can´t use ichat because of that.

conclusion:

1-A GOOD APP THAT I CAN´T USE

2-IT MAKES ICHAT WORTHLESS

3-IT´S A SHAME...  
(Version 2.1)

ERNIE  NEED HELP PLEASE!

I have an iBook G3 700 mhz Mac os X 10.2.8 and and im trying to find an iChat AV that works for it. I guess I need Ichat AV 2.0 but i cannot find it anywhere; only iChat AV 2.1 which requires 10.3 which I do not have. Can somebody please tell me how i can get iChat AV 2.0.

Thank You

Ernie  
(Version 2.1)

SIXTY K  I would love to see a future version of iChat that supports Yahoo and MSN as well as AIM.

I love iChat's interface as far as straight text messaging goes but unfortunately most of my friends do not use AIM and it is so much more conveninent to run a single IM program.

Guess I'll have to stick with Fire for now.  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  I have a Linksys Router BEFSR41 with a built in firewall, and have been unable to configure it to to video/audio with Windows users (98, XP, 2000)

This totally sucks!  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  I read that ichat video works with a G3 600Mhz. Has anyone tried this?  
(Version 2.1)

LUAU  Hey Crazy Ivan...do let us know if you have success with a PC user...getting the video, they're getting my audio, but I can't get theirs...  
(Version 2.1)

CRAZYIVAN  First of all Matt (below) Quit trying to be cute by advertising your gay chat site, if ppl want gay chat they'll search for it - this is not the place to advertise it.

As for the AOL audio chat connections I really haven't tried it but I'll give it a go and update you on it.

Ivo (below) you're doing something wrong - iChat AV 2.1 supports audio only chats. I do it all the time. You will see in your buddy list who you can request an audio or video chat with. Next time RTFM!  
(Version 2.1)

MATT  if you are a boy and that you are looking to test your iChat with other boys... ;-) try http://www.ichatgay.com more than 2000 members  
(Version 2.1)

LUAU  So is there anyway to hear audio while the videoconferencing a person with AIM?  
(Version 2.1)

IVO  APPLE needs to wake up and a AUDIO ONLY support for iChat i dont want to have to buy a camer to talk, most of my friends can afford one too or just dont want the extra load on their bandwidth!!! Put an AUDIO ONLY UPDATE APPLE!!!!!  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  i cannot start an audio conversation with any PC users that have the AOL messenger version 5.5. We all have microphones, yet somehow we canot go beyond typing...  
(Version 2.1)

NOT HAPPY  It doesn't work with PC's without the PC having a camera installed. So there is no Audio only.

Its audio with video turned off.

Guess

1 Apple is now pushing Video camera's rather than computers

2. They pay product managers tooo much, as they all can afford video cameras

3. Apple staff don't have any PC friends except maybe those in the industry who also get paid too much and can afford cameras

4. Apple staff make calls to friends using Apple paid phones  
(Version 2.1)

VJATJESLAV JARUTA  The most desired function in iChat is it's ability to communicate with MSN Messenger and at the same time to be better than Messenger... I am afraid I have almost nobody to use and test iChat with.  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  i have tried to connect with many windows users (98,2000,xp users) using aim 5.5 and havent been able to connect to any of them.   
(Version 2.1)

LUVMYISIGHT  I have used this with a PC using AOL IM and got both video and audio to work. The quality was not as great as mac-to-mac, but it worked fine. I'm not sure about the problems others claim to have with audio, but it worked for me multiple times.  
(Version 2.1)

153957  Apart from previous comments which I am not able to verify or give advice about since I dont know Windows-using AIM users, or at least, none with camera's.

But when iChat is installed and the show icon in Menu button is turned on, the menu is not under the icon but at the far left side of my screen..  
(Version 2.1)

RUEDIGER SANDIG  This is highly depressing that apple is not able to develop a application that allows users to audio chat with their counterparts in the Windows world! So you either have to have an isight and apple or you have to use the telephone. .... Very disappointing!!!  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  How do you get aim 5.5 and iChat 2.1 to audio chat again. Please help if you can.  
(Version 2.1)

ANONYMOUS  who said this worked with AIM 5.5 on voice? thats wrong. this is a crock of ass. booooooooo!  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  This will be great, but is so buggy. DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT! Wait for the next beta.  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  Tried iChat AV 2.1b with AIM 5.5 beta on Windows XP yesterday.

Video viewed on the PC (using a cable modem, sent from the Mac which is using iSight over DSL) is awesome - very detailed image, and 10-15 fps - very smooth!

Video viewed on the Mac, sent from the PC (using a $20 USB 1.0 webcam) is grainy, and only about 1 fps.

In addition, iChat lets you vary the image size, but on the AIM side, I could see only the small 160x120 image. I couldn't find any way to either send or receive a larger image.

I suspect that upgrading to a USB 2.0 camera might improve the image sent from the PC, but it's still not clear if it's possible to display (or send) a larger image.  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  Crashes a lot, in particular when other internet connecting applications are on. When it works with other Macs it works same a iChat2.0 no real difference. Tried from Mac (G4 Hong Kong B/B 6megs) to vidcon with a PC XP (in Australia 512/128ADSL)) on broadband using AIM 5.5. Several tries, error report from AIM side asking Mac side to review proxies in preferfences of iChat (what proxies !). Finally, video connected with excellent audio but no picture. Next attempt just error messages. Finally we had one video conference with sound and audio, PC received very sharp picture, Mac received very pixelated picture, audio was good for 10 minutes then there soon developed a lagg of about 10 seconds from Mac to PC but none from PC to Mac. After 10 minutes all else went to hell - a lot of lagg, frozen frames, dissappearance of audio - the usual "damnit" stuff. Susp[ect Australian side ADSL data flow is too up and down for consistent video /audio streaming (I guess). However, that's good news - there was nothing with flowing video before this and the good news is - it is BETA, so better is on the way.

JG  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  connecting to pc from a mac is a nogo. aim 5.5 doesnt seem compatible at all. i can get it on yahoo, but the framerate sucks. from ichat 2.1 to aim 5.5 i can never make the connection.

come on mac.   
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  If you get the installer error saying you don't have iChat AV 2.0, then simply rename iChat AV to just iChat and the installer will work. Just an installer querk.  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  I cannot install iChat. It says I do not have it in my Applications folder. I tried:

Open DiskUtility.

Select your hard drive.

Repair permissions.

Reboot and hold down the shift key until you see, in the Mac OS startup screen, the words Safe Boot Mode, then let go of the shift key and let the Mac continue to the desktop.

The reboot again.

Install iChat.

but it did not work. Could someone let me know how to get around this.  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  my computer has been crashing randomly since I installed it - every couple hours or so. it is just a beta so it's no big deal, just be warned. other than that it's a great app.  
(Version 2.1b)

_SOCKET  Works GREAT!! I think this might just be the missing link :P I did video conferencing with a PC using AIM 5.5. When I say conferencing I mean not only video, but audio! The FPS was around 10 and the audio sounded good, but aim's video window is soooo small!! Is there anyway to enlarge it? All in all I'm happy to see a solution for cross platform video and audio conferencing! I would still like to see apple put video adjustment controls in ichat AV  
(Version 2.1b)

MACD  I'm not sure but it looks like Video chat with Windows AIM users requires both sides to have direct connection to Internet. I failed to connect to my friend using AIM 5.5. May be that's how AIM works.. I don't know..  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  Another great update from Apple . . . still waiting to see how things pan out on the AIM 5.5 front . .

But all updates are good news :-)  
(Version 2.1b)

JUSTIN  Install fine on a couple 10.3.2 macs for me. Video Conferencing between iChat and iChat still works great, but I was unable to Video Conference with a AIM PC user. The video invitation pops up and I'm able to accept it, but it never able to complete the connection.

It is Beta, and while I'm unhappy it isn't quite working for me yet, I'm excited about the possibilities.  
(Version 2.1b)

GALEN WILEY  What about audio chat with Windows users? I can't seem to get that to work.  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  The installer says it cannot find a copy of iChat AV 2.0 in my /Applications folder. iChat AV is in my Applications folder....what gives?

Any help...  
(Version 2.1b)

SKIPCOM3  I just downloaded but before i installed it I duplicated the original. After reading all the remarks, i could always go back to the copy, if I had problems But it seems to be working great on my iMac G3 600 MHz  
(Version 2.1b)

MACGUY  If you get the can't install on this computer. Quit iChat before you install then it works fine. What a confusing error...   
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  Seems to work fine with mac but when connected to AIM 5.5 they can see and hear me but I can't them.  
(Version 2.1b)

CFROMBERG  awesome quality, with a broadband connection better or 256kbit upstream capabilty like televison. under 256kbit still good.

MSN, yahoo are way less quality, i'd say stoneage compared to ichatAV... i hope the aol im 5.5 PC version integration is the same, so far couldn't test it with friends that use aol im 5.5 pc...  
(Version 2.1b)

ANONYMOUS  People - read the requirements - you need Mac OS 10.3  
(Version 2.1b)

PIERO GIOBBI  I can't install it at all, says it doesn't work on this system. I hav 10.3.2 - to knew maybe?

:D  
(Version 2.1b)

STEF  Very good but can't use usb webcam. Can't Videochat whit PC users. In the past AOL-Messenger as the talk option but they remove it.

Sloooow progress.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

JOEL MUELLER  Here's an SMS from iChat tip for you! You can send SMS text messages to mobile phones using iChat. Simply type and hold the following command -- SHIFT-COMMAND-N -- Then type in "+15554545" the phone number. Then type your message and send it.

You can even setup an account with AOL to allow the phone replies to forward to your IM name.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

DR.DITZELOVA  Happy New Year!

Since 2004, it says:

This version expires

on January, 16th

(or so) ...

Where is the update?

Hmm...?  
(Version 2.0 v106)

TOM  I couldn't agree more. The cheepest web cam's on the market come with all the software needed to use them but Apple sells a $140.00 camera that is useless without an additional $30.00 software purchase. Give me a break!  
(Version 2.0 v106)

JAMEI  I just got the iSight for Christmas and went to set it up, but now I'm finding that I have to BUY iChat AV for this thing to even start working with other programs? I don't even want to use iChat. I want to use this as a webcam for my website. What kind of crock is this?  
(Version 2.0 v106)

ANONYMOUS  It really needs MSN, ICQ and Yahoo user support or I can't talk with very many people and won't use it.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

DAVID  Just got the Camera and tried to talk to ANYONE!! Could not find anyone. All my friends are using FLASH7 to see each other and isight is not compatable with Macromedia flash7 which basically takes you out of every chat on the NET, sorry, failure apple! returning mine for something usable and logical.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

BOB  Incredible technology in its infancy. I've videoconferenced with a dozen people all over the world that I met on www.ichatfinder.com. Quality fades at times but that should be corrected in the final version due later this month. If it is compatible with the new AIM AV, it opens tremendous possibilities. Sell your AT&T stock.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

ANONYMOUS  Awesome chat program. Works well, it's straight-forward and it's very fast. And, hey, it's free and matches the Mac OS X interface.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

PITERPAN  It needs to support MSN (all of my friebnds use MSN in Europe), ICQ, Yahoo...

it must be a UNIVERSAL CHAT APP FOR ALL OF US!

thanks  
(Version 2.0 v106)

OMNIMOLLY  This is very easy to use, and works great!  
(Version 2.0 v106)

TOM STAZER  NOW it works:

Found this weirdness myself. Using Griffin iMic, iChatAV wouldn't send my voice. I found - inexplicably under VIDEO tab in preferences - a place to choose microphone input. It was set to NONE.

Stranger still once i set it to USB mike, the pane for choosing it went AWAY!?

But now it works and it is STUNNING!! Crystal clear, real time, better than any cell phoen connection.

Apple does it again. AMAZING.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

TOM STAZER  Mr. Ed: can you share your settings? I can get nowhere with iMic. Can hear my sister talking on her built in on her iMac, but she can't hear me. iMovie recognizes iMic, flash, other recording programs recognize it - iChat seems to see it but does not send pick up my voice.

adjusted input panel in sound controls to no avail.

Not going through a hub, straight into iMic and back of G4.

Thanks for any advice.

OSx.2.6, 896 ram, G4 733

deply frustrating!  
(Version 2.0 v106)

JOSHUA COVENTRY  I love iChat AV and have been using it for some time.

Although it has many bugs at the moment, Sometimes the chat rooms dont appear and while chatting with someone with text chat the windows contents blur.

Other than that iChat AV is incredible, I havnt tried the video chat but will when i get my new Mac and get an iSight.

I think iChat AV will really change the way we communicate with people in the future.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

MR.ED  To Visorblue: I am using iChatAV wih Griffin iMic on a DP 1GHz G4 and sound input works fine. It works well when I use iMic as source or my iSight as source.

Great little app. Video and audio quality are very good. While I myself have an iSight, I think support for USB webcams would increase user base considerably so I think they should provide it. Also, compatibility with AIM audio conferencing would be a great feature.

Mr.Ed  
(Version 2.0 v106)

M  Absolute rubbish. Without PC connectivity you can only AV chat to under 5% of the computer-using community. And Apple will charge $30 for the final version for Jaguar users when PC users have had free apps that do the same for a long time now. Too many Apple users accept any old junk and think its cool because its Apple. Well this ain't cool - its a joke!  
(Version 2.0 v106)

ANONYMOUS  i luv it being im a mac finatic i would say we did it again, anyone wanna chat av style my aim name is nowrule35....  
(Version 2.0 v106)

VISORBLUE  I liked the idea and ran out and picked up a Griffin iMic and Logitech headset with noise cancelling mike to use with my mirror drive G4 -- no microphone input on this machine. Setup works GREAT in the Sound Pref., Speech...everywhere but in iChat AV. No output from the mike.

Seems it doesn't recognize USB mike setups.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

GARY  This is a great idea. Unfortunately, it does not interact with AIM, a program used by most for verbal Instant Messaging. It would be nice to be able to do so with PCers.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

TREVOR  I think the audio and video quality is unmatched. The only problem is finding other folks with webcams and macs. Is there a website with a list? I'm "Lykos4" on iChat (that's my AIM name). You anyone wants to try it out, shoot me a line.   
(Version 2.0 v106)

ANONYMOUS  Nice idea, but it's a novelty until it can interface with a common PC 'AV' chat app, like iVisit or NetMeeting. That's said by a long-time Mac fanatic, too.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

JEFF1ER  iChat AV is a wonderfull idea... despite, as a usb cam owner, I can't use my old philips cam. I'll probably wait for a third party patch to make it work with. Don't wanna buy one more 169 Euros device, plus the panther update... Apple customers aren't only billionnaires who fly in private jets... if you see what I mean :-)   
(Version 2.0 v106)

ANONYMOUS  Wow! This software is just what I've been waiting for. As a former user of Microsofts "NetMeeting", I have looked all over for a free A/V chat client for OS X.

Now to my question: Where do I find folks to chat with?

Regards,

Fredrik, Sweden  
(Version 2.0 v106)

HULETTE  Now with groups! yes!  
(Version 2.0 v106)

ANONYMOUS  Works great with my iBot, but a buddy of mine uses the macam USB videocam driver and iChat AV wil not recognize it.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

SIMEN  Not installed it yet, because it require a restart :O( Wasn't OS X suppose to get rid of them ? I still have alot. Except from that I still love iChat and OS X !!! Go Apple !! But cut the restarts.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

JOEL MUELLER  A few minor GUI changes make the new version of iChat more friendly. Especially for typing longer-than-one-line messages.

Also, the audio seems to work well, however I had some trouble initially connecting. There is a slight delay, as expected.  
(Version 2.0 v106)

DANSKINNYMAN  What can i say? YOU LOSE MICROSOFT!  
(Version 2.0 v106)