Error 8 on Video iChat

[MartyStickle]

Can't figure this out. My neighbor and I have identical Imac Core Duo 20in imacs and are both on the same ISP (BellSouth). We are unable to do a video or audio chat, getting error 8 (communication error). The same thing happens in either direction. Text chats work. Please, any suggestions?

[clay]

are your routers setup to forward the correct ports???

[MartyStickle]

OMG How do I check that?

I'm using a snow airport, if that helps.

[clay]

do some googling for "ichat error 8".

something that might help point in the right direction:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=219192

there should be an "airport utility" in your utilities folder. You can use that to specify port forwarding on your airport basestation.

[TheCaber]

This doc lists the ports needed for iChat : http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93208

(www.apple.com -> Support -> search for "iChat ports")

You'll have to read the firewall/router's manual for piercing the wall by opening ports.

[MartyStickle]

Thanks TC and Clay. I've also searched on Apple Support Forum and here's an ineresting thing from there:


The "error -8" solution is highly configuration dependent on all users of the video iChatAV application.

1. In iChat preferences, make sure your Video -> bandwidth limit is set to "none". Also, reset your iChatAV/Preferences/Account/Server Settings port to 443 rather than 5190.

2. In iChat menu bar, Video -> Connection Doctor make sure that you do not have any error messages listed in the Show -> error log pull-down menu. If you do, then restart iChat to clear them. Also, in System Preferences -> Quicktime -> Streaming tab be sure that the Streaming Speed is set to "1.5Mbps T1/Intranet/LAN" or below. Restart iChatAV and test it.


3. If you are using a cable or DSL modem with a router then either "turn-on" UPnP in the router OR open ports in your router; but not both. UPnP is universal Plug and Play and automatically opens the ports necessary for applications to run properly.

4. If you do elect to open ports on your router or your Mac then open these ports.

iChatAV ports:

5060 UDP
5190 Both, TCP and UDP
5220 TCP
5222 TCP
5297 UDP
5298 Both, TCP and UDP
5353 UDP
5678 UDP
16384-16403 UDP

All iChat AV traffic is UDP except for ports 5190 and 5298, which need to be open for both TCP and UDP; and 5220 and 5222, which need to be open for TCP only. DO NOT "turn-on" your Mac firewall while using a router firewall.

5. Reset the AOL Instant Messenger port to 443. It may say 5190. You will have to be logged-out of AIM to change the port.

6. After you do all this, then shut-down everything (Modem, router, and Mac), then restart everything in sequence beginning with your modem (wait for it to come up), then the router (wait for it to come up), and then the Mac. If you use Vonage or another VoIP telephone service you must keep the VoIP phone adapter "off" until the modem/router/Mac has rebooted, then turn on AIM, then turn-on the VoIP phone adapter.

7. Start iChatAV.

Note:
- Check with you broadband provider and ask if they are blocking any of the ports you want to use. I've heard some foreign telephone companies blocking ports to protect their infrastruicture, and the installed base of customers.
- You can "test" iChatAV by including appleu3test01 or appleu3test02 or appleu3test03 screenames in your AIM Buddy list.
- If you recently did an incremental update to 10.4.9 you should try doing the 10.4.9 "Combo" update instead. This installs a completely fresh OS X which may have any missing OS Xparts in the incremental update.
- Also check your download and upload Internet speeds. If you're running DSL you'll be marginally successful.
- Upgrade your router firmware to the latest release.


Please note that my firewall is OFF. I will check my neighbors setup later today. As far as I can understand, I don't need to open ports if the firewall is off. Right?

[Fred_Also]

According to the article above, you don't need to open ports if you have UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) ON.

I have the same problem connecting to a person in another town. -8 error every time.

Can you connect to the Apple video bots?

The other person can connect to the bots, and I can connect to the bots but we can't connect to each other. Type -8 error.


Apple Video bots at:

appleu3test01@mac.com
appleu3test02@mac.com
appleu3test03@mac.com

They are busy at times but catch one thats not busy and see if you video iChat will work to it. It just plays an Apple commercial but you know if your connected.

Fred Also

[MartyStickle]

Fred,

the apple bots are non responsive. bot 01 is listed as "away" and the other two are offline.

I don't think I have UPnp because I have a snow airport. Besides, I'm connected by ethernet, not airport anyway. My DSL modem is connected to the airport and the ethernet out goes through a spltter with one ethernet line going to my imac and another going to my wife's mini.

I need to check my neighbors setup to see what he has. I'd love to try video chatting with someone else.

[Fred_Also]

[quote MartyStickle]Fred,

the apple bots are non responsive. bot 01 is listed as "away" and the other two are offline.
The apple bots will only be active for video chat. You have to start iChat with a camera attached and working, iSight, web cam or DV camcorder on the firewire port.

Fred Also

[MartyStickle]

I have an imac with camera and it's active.

All the bots are now offline.

Oh well.