iSight : Check your Broadband Speed
As mentioned in the Title box - there are pages that were written a little while ago by EZ Jim, a poster on the Apple Discussions, who contributes to iSight and iChat Discussions. The words the following pages are EZ Jim's
Use the the Information Column Menu for EZ Jim's pages
Check your Broadband Speed
Both uplink and downlink speeds effect the connection, as do the speeds for each party to the connection. To remove doubt about speed, BOTH you and the ones with whom you experience the problem with should use the Speed Test with at least two of the servers regardless of which test site you use.
Info Mac to Mac: The lowest speed that iChat AV 2.1 can provide video is 50kbps. (iChat AV 3 requires at least 100kbps.). Below this figure, iChat will give error messages.
You should get smooth Mac < - > Mac video with iChat AV 2.1 if all uplink and downlink speeds for both ends of the connection is above 99 Kbps. ('real' world speeds, as measured by the test not as reported by the Connection Doctor). If ALL your numbers are well above that, you can probably safely assume that connection speed is NOT causing your pixelated video.
iChat AV 3 does not normally pixelate as broadband speed decreases. Rather, you may get error messages and lose ability to connect. If you can connect, the session looses audio and video stability and the picture becomes "soft."
iChat AV 3 requires at least 500 Kbps both up and down for best quality multi-party video connections. These requirements apply to all participants in the iChat AV 3 video connection. Speed requirements for the multi-party video connection host are even higher. See Mac OS X 10.4: iChat AV (version 3)system requirements for details. (Edit 2024:- This paragrph's links is now to the Way Back Machine collection version.
My current broadband (EZ Jim's in about 2006) is rated up to 9 Megs down and 1 Meg up, thus doubling my previous bandwidth. The increased speed significantly improves multi-party video quality, especially in videos I host with participants who have similarly speeds.
Mac <-> Mac connection speeds can be in the 80-100 Kbps range and still work reliably, though quality will decrease. Of course, more speed (up to about about 500 Kbps) gives better results. Beyond 500 Kbps, more speed seems to make little difference for iChat AV 2. in my experience. (As noted above, speed requirements for iChat AV 3 are far higher.)
Info Mac to PC: Mac < - > PC video needs higher connection speeds, at least 150Kbps for smooth video. I have connected with PCs as low as the 110-120 Kbps range, but the video is usually of poor quality, pixelated, and unstable. See Mac Video Chat with PCs for more suggestions on improving your results once you both have adequate broadband speed.
Do the tests. Do not just assume that you are getting the promised speed from your DSL or Cable ISP. Broadband speed promised is not always what is delivered. You can use this DSLReports' Speed Test. You can use this ADSLGuide's Broadband Speed Test if the first one is too busy. There is also Speed of Me SpeedTest. To ensure accurate results, follow the instructions at the site you use. (Edit 2024:- Had to replace the last Speed Test site. It may also pay to search for "Speed test sites near Me" and pick one that is close to you. The first link uses one of three USA, Netherlands and Zurich based on which it thinks you are closer to. The second is in Britain (UK for those that are not sure. The third is also UK based.)
Using the data you gather with Speed Test, if either of your ISPs are NOT delivering what you are paying for in your service billing, you will have FACTS to use to get resolution. If the speed IS all that is advertised but it is below the recommended minimums, you may want to upgrade your service to get better video between Mac and PC. Only you can decide whether spending money for a higher bandwidth service is worthwhile.
These numbers assume you have only one computer on the connection. If you have more than one computer sharing the connection, you will need the above bandwidth for each; i.e., if you have 2 computers using the connection simultaneously, multiply the requirements by 2 to be sure speed is not your problem.
I have at least 3 iPhones, 3 iPads, 3 Mac Laptop of different ages. A 27" iMac of some vintage, my iMac M3 25" There is a X-Box on line on occassion plus several Meross Radiator thermostats, the Central Heating controller, a Smart Tank connected to the Boiler, Solar Panels with some smart control on the Battery charging, and Smart Meters on both the Gas - the cooker type - and Electicity supply and that does not include any visitors that I allow on the network or the fact my Satelite service has two boxes that are linked by WiFi or the NAS box that runs Time Machine back ups at times. To be honest it is the X-Box and games that realy knocks it sideways).
If your test indicates that speed is not the problem, post your (uplink and downlink) speed numbers and details of how you connect your Macs to your ISP in iChat AV Discussions. (Make and Model of your modems, routers, and wireless equipment as well as how many computers share each of your connection.).In some cases the country you are talking from and to would be helpful.
Written By EZ Jim
Made on a Mac®
© 2005, 2006 EZ Jim
© 2005 Ralph Johns: Edited 24/9/2005, 5/5/2006
Updated September 2006. Moved to Gargoyles Mar 2007. Major review October 2024 towards HTML5
Information Column
EZ Jim's iSight Stuff
Plain Text links to related Pages
For Screen Readers
EZJim Folder
EZJimindex Index of EZ Jim's iSight and Other InfoUsing iSight Using iSight
EZJim page2 Where to Find Help for iSight
EZJim page3 About the Built-In iSights
EZJim page4 How to Test your iSight is Functional
EZJim page5 Improving your (External) iSight's Picture
EZJim page6 Possible Conflicts with iSight an iChat
EZJim page7 Some Applications you can Use with an iSight
EZJim page8 iSight V DV Camcorder or other Web Cam
EZJim page9 Mounts for your External iSight
EZJim page10 iSight Versions (External)
EZJim page11 How to Turn your iSight Really Off
EZJim page12 iSight and the PC
EZJim page13 Common PC Applications and Chatting
EZJim page14 Mac Video Chat with PCs
EZJim page15 Using An iSight with iChat
EZJim page16 Help for iChat 3 Problems
EZJim page17 How to Get iChat working again
EZJim page18 Check your Broadband Speed
EZJim page19 OS X Maintenance
EZJim page20 Updating the OS
EZJim page21 Reinstalling the OS
EZJim page22 Macintosh System Stability
Made on a Mac®
