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    Video on MSN Messenger?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by ImprezaSTi, Oct 29, 2008.

  1. ImprezaSTi

    ImprezaSTi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does msn messenger for mac have video conversation? I thought I had a version with video, then I installed Office 2008 as well as the messenger that cam with it, and now I dont see the video function anymore. I am really confused since this is also the latest version. Or was I just dreaming and there was never video/audio convserations? :confused:
     
    ImprezaSTi, Oct 29, 2008
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  2. trueintentions

    trueintentions Notebook Evangelist

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    I believe that there is a version of MSN messenger for Mac with video - the business class version. Or something similar to that...

    It requires Office Communications Server 2007 for it to work, which causes it only to be useful in a corporate environment. :)

    Source
     
    trueintentions, Oct 29, 2008
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  3. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    What I am going to try and do I just run XP in a VM and use That windows messenger. It should work.
     
    Seshan, Oct 29, 2008
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  4. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

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    I wonder, would a 3rd party mac client support the MSN webchat protocols? I know that when I am on the AOL messenger, I can video with others on IChat.
     
    gengerald, Oct 29, 2008
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  5. ImprezaSTi

    ImprezaSTi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yea I also have Vista installed, that must have been why I thought there was a video function. Problem is I don't want to restart my system and close everything Im doing just to have a video conversation with someone.
     
    ImprezaSTi, Oct 29, 2008
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  6. jack skellington

    jack skellington Newbie

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    The Mac version of MSN Messenger doesn't currently support video conferencing. There is another client named aMSN that supports the video, but currently doesn't handle the sound.

    Basically, unless your friends are willing to use AIM rather than MSN, there's no way of doing this easily. If they will use AIM, you can use iChat to video conference. We're all hoping that Microsoft either allows Apple to make iChat MSN compatible or releases an MSN client for Mac that has the feature, but knowing Microsoft and their attitude to non-Windows users, don't go holding your breath.
     
    jack skellington, Dec 4, 2008
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  7. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    There is only one version of MSN Messenger for Mac and it does support video but only when connected to an Office Business Server. The corporate messenger in place with Office uses an new AV protocol and Microsoft decided to incorporate that new AV protocol into MSN Messenger for Mac, since there wasn't much point in porting over the old protocol. However, currently Windows Live Messenger uses the old protocol. The next version of Windows Live Messenger is supposed to transition to the new AV protocol as well, with the latest reports being that it's out of beta and will ship by February. So technically, Mac Messenger is ahead of the game by adopting the new standard, which is why we can't video anyone. Once the new Live Messenger is out there might be a delay to resync Mac Messenger to Live Messenger's implementation of the protocol though so video functionality might still not be available right away.
     
    ltcommander_data, Dec 4, 2008
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  8. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    but why arent we allowed to use mac messenger to mac messenger video?

    and id recommend using skype, its a LOT better
     
    StrongerThanAll, Dec 4, 2008
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  9. trueintentions

    trueintentions Notebook Evangelist

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    To Jack: Please don't resurrect old threads? :)

    Why aren't we allowed? Because Microsoft says so. :D


    While Skype is a much more reliable way to video and microphone, the amount of users on MSN Messenger surpasses Skype several times over. :eek:
     
    trueintentions, Dec 4, 2008
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  10. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    true, but i only video chat with relatives and my gf
     
    StrongerThanAll, Dec 4, 2008
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  11. davwin

    davwin Notebook Enthusiast

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    I tried to find a way to do this myself several times now and the short answer is: You'll need to install other software :( (as others have said).

    As far as 3rd party Video clients, its hard to beat Skype. It has better video and audio quality and better multi-platform support (Win/Mac/Lin/Symb/Etc) than most others combined. The problem - with any 3rd party software - is getting all your MSN contacts to install it as well; at least the one's you want to video chat with. As others have suggested, AIM will work but it does require a specific version for iChat compatibility. aMSN will do video but, no audio and other options like Google et all will work too but, are very limited for video options and do not offer the quality that Skype does IMO. Even apps like XMeeting that do offer comparable video don't have very many free variants for your contacts on other OS's to try...

    It sucks but these companies obviously don't feel too compelled to make their apps cross-compatible with each other so your stuck for the time being.
     
    davwin, Dec 4, 2008
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  12. fongyuen

    fongyuen Notebook Enthusiast

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    try this: http://mercury.im/

    i heard u can do video with msn account. i've not used it personally, recommended by a friend.
     
    fongyuen, Dec 4, 2008
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  13. BlackLight

    BlackLight Notebook Consultant

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    we should all send an email to Microsoft and tell them hurry up .uh what you'll say uh uh....
     
    BlackLight, Dec 4, 2008
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  14. trueintentions

    trueintentions Notebook Evangelist

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    I find Mercury quite glitchy. Like many of you, I've tried many different programs trying to one that works, but I've honestly given up altogether. :p
     
    trueintentions, Dec 4, 2008
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