Interesting Idea for iChat AV
Derek is onto something. If you can connect a video camera to your Mac for video-conferencing in iChat AV, what's stopping you from broadcasting video? In other words, instead of burning a DVD or VHS tape and mailing it to a friend, you could connect via iChat, plug a camcorder (or anything with video out) into your Mac, and stream digital video (albeit low quality) from your machine to their screen. Haven't tried it myself, but it sounds easy.
Comments
It is easy! the only limiting factor is that, as of now, iChat only supports one video chat at a time. So it's not like you could broadcast this way (and, anyway, that's what Quicktime Broadcaster is for).
But for showing a video in real time to a friend, it's great. I just plugged in my camera, hit play, and started a video chat. Best part is, I could also type chat with the recipient as it played in a separate window. And when the recipient also had a camera, I could see them react to the video I was playing. Fun!
Posted by: Derek Powazek at June 24, 2003 1:49 PM
I did this using a Sony Webcam, Flash, and Flash Communication Server. Granted the quality was not excellent but it works....
Posted by: Chafic Kazoun at June 24, 2003 2:26 PM
You should, of course, also be able to do this with music using iChat AV's audio capabilities, although again the sound quality won't be great; about the same as a local cellphone call. But I suppose it could be seen as one way around Apple's crippling the ability to stream music from iTunes.
Posted by: Brad at June 24, 2003 3:30 PM
Find a way to accept credit cards to connect to your iChat client and BAM! Porn sites will drive Apple's stock price UP UP UP!!!!
Posted by: Chris at June 24, 2003 5:11 PM
Interesting thought.
I think I would still prefer to send the "home" videos to .mac and push the URL through iChat. I can't wait to give it a try. Looks like I'll need to find a friend with a Mac and a camera. Maybe I should start by finding a friend first...
Of course, my 5-year-old would get a big kick if I video-conferenced him in the next room!
Posted by: Joey at June 24, 2003 8:53 PM
Sunil says it worked for him too - http://widepipe.org/2003_06.shtml#000369
Posted by: DJSUBg at June 25, 2003 11:39 AM
Unfortunately, iSight doesn't output to digital video, in the "DV" sense. There's a tech note about that (The tech note), and why (ergo) iMovie can't use the iSight camera. That doesn't mean that you can't do other interesting things with your iSight, though...
Posted by: brian at July 1, 2003 10:05 AM
very interesting, thanks
Posted by: jacky at July 11, 2003 11:13 AM
I've got my Tivo hooked up through my Dazzle DV bridge. Now, if a friend missed a show that i have on Tivo, I can broadcast it to them.
Posted by: James Kocsis at August 14, 2003 12:08 AM
