For text-based conversations I can use Adium to talk to anyone on a PC, regardless of their IM client. For voice chat, both Mac and PC can use Skype. For video chat, however, it's much harder.
The general convention had been to use iChat with an iSight (or a USB webcam using unofficial drivers) on the Mac and AIM with a USB webcam (mostly Logitech QuickCams) on the PC. The latest version of Aim (Triton) broke that by not being video-interoperable with iChat. At about the same time, Skype gained video support (in beta), but only in the PC version. Google is also funding development of video in libgaim, used by Adium and Gaim.
Ideally, either Skype will have video support on all platforms (more likely) or Adium will get video support that can talk to all the major networks via libgaim (less likely), but for now—until AIM or iChat gets patched—I'm going to give yak a try. I haven't actually tested it yet, and it seems to be a bit unofficial so far, but the messaging is SIP-based (i.e. an open protocol, unlike Skype) and supposed to work on both Mac and PC.
The other thing is that the iSight uses a Firewire connection, but there was a rumour that the new Intel iBooks won't have Firewire connections at all, so maybe there will be a new USB-based iSight (apparently the iSights built into new G5s use USB connections) released soon as well.
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Have you perhaps tried Marratech? A voice, video, chat, whiteboard etc client for Mac, Linux and Windows.
-Peter
i'm interested in any solution, because i have the same issue. Triton is indeed not working. will give yak a try in the next days, but if anyone has some suggestion in the meantime...
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Quote: there was a rumour that the new Intel iBooks won't have Firewire connections at all, so maybe there will be a new USB-based iSight.
Just to clarify, the new Intel iBook are now rumoured to have an iSight built-in to the screen just as the intel-based 'powerbooks' (whatever they're called now) have.
iSpQ VideoChat is a great solution for Video Chat between MacOS X and Windows machines. iSpQ includes high quality voice and video. Works with iSight, Airport and compatible with Adium. There is a 21-day trial that will let you try it out before buying it.
Take a look at http://www.iSpQ.Com
Hello, I am developing a video chatting module for ARM based embedded device. Can someone guide me about any such available SIP based video chat client for Linux?
Hai Friends. I have a trouble for my ibook. Me and my parents will be living far away. I want to be connected via webcam and pc call. But unfortunately am using mac-ibook, and they use pc notebook. I've been dying to find softwares that include both of them. I've used skype, audium, YM, MSN, mercury, iSPQ, etc. they don't work. audium for example. After i click "start webcam", the application will shut down unexpectedly. so is with YM. am using logitech deluxe notebook pro. can anyone help me. thanks.
http://www.sightspeed.com
and your done.
I have a MacBook Pro with intel and built in isight.
I recently used Mercury which is a multiple IM client and connected with a pc user who was using MSN. The video worked but no audio, plus the video was choppy. hope this helps someone.
Skype works and it's free. Just Google skype. I use it all the time to video chat with my husband he uses a Macbook Pro and I use a HP PC.