Here are the system requirements you need to initiate or participate in audio and video chats and conferences in iChat.
- For any audio-only chats, you'll need an iSight or any microphone.
- For any video conferencing, you'll need a microphone and a camera. What kind of camera? An iSight, FireWire webcam, Digital Video (DV) camcorder with FireWire, or USB Video Class (UVC) webcam should work fine.
Please note that "any G5" references below mean any PowerPC G5 processor-based Mac (either single- or dual-processor G5).
Minimum requirements for audio conferencing
| 1-to-1 Audio Chat | 10-Person audio conference | ||
| To initiate | System required | All Leopard-compatible Macs are supported | 1 GHz G4, dual 800 MHz G4, any G5, any Intel |
| Bandwidth required | 56 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | 128 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | |
| To participate | System required | All Leopard-compatible Macs are supported | All Leopard-compatible Macs are supported |
| Bandwidth required | 56 Kbps dial-up connection | 56 Kbps dial-up connection | |
Minimum requirements for 1-to-1 video conferencing
| Good | Better | Best | |
| Video resolution (in pixels) | 160-by-120 | 320-by-240 | 640-by-480 |
| System required | All Leopard-compatible Macs are supported | 1.8 GHz G5, 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo | 1.83 Intel Core Duo or Dual 2 GHz G5. |
| Bandwidth required | 100 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | 300 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | 900 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) |
Minimum requirements for 4-way video conferencing
| Good | Better | Best | ||
| Video resolution (in pixels) | 80-by-60 | 160-by-120 | 320-by-240 | |
| To initiate | System required | Dual 1 GHz G4, any G5, any Intel | Dual 1 GHz G4, 1.8 GHz G5, 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo | Dual 2 GHz G5, 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo |
| Bandwidth required | 384 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | 600 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | 1800 Kbps Internet connection (up/down) | |
| To participate | System required | 1 GHz G4, dual 800 MHz G4, any G5, or any Intel | 1 GHz G4, dual 800 MHz G4, any G5, 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo | Any G5, 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo |
| Bandwidth required | 100 Kbps connection | 200 Kbps connection | 300 Kbps Internet connection | |
About good, better, and best video modes
Frame rate and video resolution settings are automatically optimized based on your available bandwidth and computer's processing capability. There isn't a way to jump manually from one mode to another.
Minimum requirements for Photobooth effects
- Intel Core Duo processor or faster.
- At least 128 Kbps upstream and downstream bandwidth.
Minimum requirements for Backdrop effects
- Intel processor, Core 2 Duo or faster.
- iSight camera, external USB Video Class (UVC) camera, or Firewire DV camcorder with fixed focus, exposure and white balance.
- At least 128 Kbps upstream and downstream bandwidth.
Minimum requirements for Screen Sharing
- All Macs that support Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
- At least 128 Kbps upstream and downstream bandwidth. At least 300 Kbps is recommended.
Minimum requirements for AV recording
- All Macs that support Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Resolution and frame rate may vary based on the computer.
- At least 128 Kbps upstream and downstream bandwidth.
Minimum requirements for iChat Theater
Side-by-side view is available on all Leopard-compatible Macs capable of participating in a multiway video conference.
| Side-by-side | Replacement Mode | ||
| Sender | System required | Dual 1 GHz G4, any G5, any Intel | All Leopard-compatible Macs are supported |
| Bandwidth required | 384Kbps up/down, 900Kbps up to send 640x480 resolution Keynote files | 128Kbps up/down, 900Kbps down to receive 640x480 resolution Keynote files | |
| Receiver | System required | 1 GHz G4, dual 800 MHz G4, any G5, or any Intel | All Leopard-compatible Macs are supported |
| Bandwidth required | 128Kbps up/down | 128Kbps up/down | |