iChatAV multiuser?

[granex]

I haven't had a chance to use iChatAV yet, but it looks as though it is set up for videoconferencing for two users only. Is this true? We would like to potenitally use it for larger scale conferencing.

There are a number of iSight purchases at stake here, so I'm sure that Apple is thinking about this. If multiuser conferencing is not currently available, any word/rumors about a timeline for implementation?

 

[jimthorn]

Video chat with iChatAV is for two users only. I think most people wouldn't have the bandwidth and processing power to handle multiple incoming video streams. The lowest acceptable G3s for iChat video (600MHz) have a hard enough time keeping up as it is.

 

[granex]

Originally posted by jimthorn
Video chat with iChatAV is for two users only. I think most people wouldn't have the bandwidth and processing power to handle multiple incoming video streams. The lowest acceptable G3s for iChat video (600MHz) have a hard enough time keeping up as it is.

Yes, this could be a problem in general, although such commercial solutions currently exist. We are in a university setting, so bandwidth is not too big an issue and the processing problem should be solved within a month, no?

This is another example where an easy Apple solution could allow small businesses to look their way quickly. Two users is definitely cool from a consumer point of view, but multiuser will be necessary for business (or academic) usability (i.e., more than iChatting).

Perhaps that will still require third party solution. Seems like Apple is very close as it is, however, and this would be a great way to sell iSights to those who can readily afford them.

 

[Farside161]

remember ichatAV is still in beta, who knows what will come in the final version.

 

[Codemonkey]

Originally posted by Farside161
remember ichatAV is still in beta, who knows what will come in the final version.

Uhhhh except that *technically* when a piece of software has entered Beta status, no new features should be added from then on, until it reaches GM or release.

Beta is just for bugsquashing, and the term itself should only be used in a software "Pre release" setting. It saddens me somewhat as a Developer that Alpha and Beta have lost their proper meaning over the years, to basically mean "tinkerware", or "trialware" for the company to "get things right". Meaning they're not even sure of the feature-set they're wanting to include.

Anyway, my .03. I for one think multi-user videoconferencing would be overkill for the consumer/consultant market, but would hope that they would come out with a Pro series that has such an ability.

 

[Farside161]

Originally posted by Codemonkey
Uhhhh except that *technically* when a piece of software has entered Beta status, no new features should be added from then on, until it reaches GM or release.

Beta is just for bugsquashing, and the term itself should only be used in a software "Pre release" setting. It saddens me somewhat as a Developer that Alpha and Beta have lost their proper meaning over the years, to basically mean "tinkerware", or "trialware" for the company to "get things right". Meaning they're not even sure of the feature-set they're wanting to include.

Anyway, my .03. I for one think multi-user videoconferencing would be overkill for the consumer/consultant market, but would hope that they would come out with a Pro series that has such an ability.

well look at what happened with safari at first we diden't have tabs or auto-fill but later in beta there where added.

 

[Kwyjibo]

i would agree with the point on safari but that was more of development until GM than anything I mean they went for a while on those little betas and its improved alot .... I think apple slapped on the beta tags so they didn't have to support problems with those releases

 

[junior]

Originally posted by Codemonkey
Uhhhh except that *technically* when a piece of software has entered Beta status, no new features should be added from then on, until it reaches GM or release.

Beta is just for bugsquashing, and the term itself should only be used in a software "Pre release" setting. It saddens me somewhat as a Developer that Alpha and Beta have lost their proper meaning over the years, to basically mean "tinkerware", or "trialware" for the company to "get things right". Meaning they're not even sure of the feature-set they're wanting to include.

Anyway, my .03. I for one think multi-user videoconferencing would be overkill for the consumer/consultant market, but would hope that they would come out with a Pro series that has such an ability.

I agree with you. I really hope they eventually release a pro version. A boss I know at a respected ad agency was really interested in iChat when I told him about it (for conference use with oversea clients), but was disappointed it was yet to offer multi-user mode. I think apple could make a lot of money out of small to even large businesses if they came up with a pro line for AV chatting with more professional looking interface than the current friendly one, with more features as well.