Messages (Mountain Lion): Requirements for audio chats, video chats, and screen sharing
To quickly view your computer’s audio and video chat capabilities, choose Video > Connection Doctor, and then choose Capabilities from the Show pop-up menu.
Messages requires the following.
- Camera (video chatting)
A camera built into your Apple display or Mac or (if your computer is FireWire-equipped) an external FireWire camera connected to your computer’s FireWire port.
Messages supports cameras that support the IIDC specification, USB cameras that support the UVC specification, and DV or HDV video cameras with FireWire.
Backdrops require either the camera built into your Apple display or Mac, or an external digital camera with fixed focus and exposure and white balance.
- Microphone (audio and video chatting)
A built-in microphone, or external microphone attached to your computer’s audio input port. You can use a Bluetooth or USB microphone or headset.
- Internet connection speed (upstream and downstream)
To find your connection speed, contact your ISP, or refer to the documentation your service provided. The speed listed in the documentation is a maximum possible speed; the actual speed may be lower. Minimum connection speeds are listed below.
Option Description Participate in a 1-to-1 audio chat: 56 Kbps Join a multiperson audio chat: 56 Kbps Start a multiperson audio chat: 128 Kbps Participate in a 1-to-1 video chat: 100 Kbps Join a multiperson video chat: 100 Kbps Start a multiperson video chat: 384 Kbps Use video effects and backdrops: 128 Kbps Share files, photo albums, and websites: 384 Kbps Share your screen or share a friend’s screen: 128 Kbps - Mac OS X version of people you message
Option Description Chat with a single buddy: Mac OS X v10.3 or later, or Mac OS X v10.2 with iChat AV v2.0 Chat with multiple buddies: Mac OS X v10.4 or later Share files, photo albums, and websites: Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard or later Share your screen or share a friend’s screen: Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard or later - Computer processor type of people you message
If you’re using video effects or backdrops, your friends need Intel processors to see them.
To see what type of processor your computer has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.