Video Chat Applications (Non-Logitech)

[matthew070105]

Hopefully someone here has ran into this problem before and can help me, because Google, Yahoo, and Logitech have all been unhelpful.

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Here are my desktop computer specs:

Vista
DC 3.0gHz
3GB DDR-2
WRT54G Linksys Wireless router
Cox internet
Scientific Atlanta DPC2100R2 Cable Modem
Windows Firewall turned completely off
Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000

My laptop computer specs:

Vista
DC 2.0gHz
3GB DDR-2
WRT54G Linksys Wireless router
Cox internet
Scientific Atlanta DPC2100R2 Cable Modem
Windows Firewall turned completely off
Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000

Her laptop computer specs:

Vista
DC 1.8gHz
1GB DDR-2
Windows Firewall turned completely off
Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000

Wireless router settings:

Yahoo application port forwarded for ports 5000-5200

Yahoo Messenger settings:

Camera source selected to QuickCamPro9000
"Allow everyone to view my webcam" selected

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The situation:

My fiance and I both got the same webcam to use because we live about 2k miles (we are both Army) apart for the time being.

The first time I used the webcam I was at a hotel in Texas on their wireless internet and on my laptop connecting to her laptop. It worked IMMEDIATELY. I installed the Logitech software from the CD, it updated from the internet, plugged it in, BAM worked like a charm over Yahoo.

I got back from my business trip and at home my laptop is connected to the internet through my wireless router (not sure if that matters). Started up Yahoo and plugged in the webcam and BAM...nothing (well it works on my end in the software but not on hers). It says "waiting for permission" on her end and gives her advertisements instead of showing my sexy mug. Anyhow, I Google "Yahoo Messenger Waiting for Permission" and there are about 1000 relevant results with not a single worthwhile answer (most of the results are Yahoo Answers with either worthless suggestions or none at all).

I tried the usual junk, like reinstalling the Logitech software and Yahoo software (even though neither one of us made any changes to our computers in that time frame) and it still didn't work.

So I did a little more research and saw that for a different problem completely someone opened up ports 5000 - 5200 on their wireless router. So I did. And I also turned off Windows Firewall and had her do the same. Still no dice.

So now I am pissed of course, but I plug the webcam into my desktop computer and install everything the same way I did initially on my laptop, and she still gets the "waiting for permission" on her end. So wanting to punch something but nothing being around I instead disconnected my wireless router completely and hooked my cable modem directly into my desktop computer, restarted and all that, and still the same problem.

I am at a complete loss as to **bleep** is going on. I have to listen to soft rock or love songs at the moment because if I listen to hard rock or something I'm going to use either my M4 carbine or Springfield XD9 pistol to practice target shooting with my webcam and computers.

Message Edited by matthew070105 on 06-27-2008 10:52 PM

Message Edited by Pegasus on 06-30-2008 01:07 AM

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

http://forums.logitech.com/logitech/board/message?board.id=video_clients&message.id=2611

Thanks.

[matthew070105]

I do very much appreciate your response. However, there is nothing in that post that addresses the issue I asked about. I read your network section but it is very general and doesn't really address people's experiences on here with Yahoo.

This is clearly a known problem as Google returns a ton of results but with very little answers besides uninstall and reinstall the Logitech software and Yahoo...so I know some people on here must have encountered this.

The issue for me is, neither one of us has made any hardware or software changes to the computers, so I am wondering if there is a Logitech or Yahoo update that runs behind the scenes or something, because SOMETHING had to change the settings or connection...after all - it worked one day and not the next.

I guess my other question is, I have a wireless router...is it possible that a new port needs to be forwarded or something as if I was using a BitTorrent client? Something preventing me from communicating? How would I find out what port to forward? I checked all the settings in both the Logitech and Yahoo programs and didn't see a spot for ports.

[matthew070105]

BUMP. I plugged my computer directly into the cable modem so now I am not on the wireless connection and it still doesn't work. I've completely disabled Windows Firewall, and there is no need for port forwarding since i took it off the wireless router and yet it still doesn't freaking work.

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

How does your fiancé connect to the Internet?

Thanks.

[matthew070105]

Cable internet.
No router or anything.

[KachiWachi Distinguished Logi Legend]

Can either of you successfully connect to other Yahoo! Messenger webcam users that you happen to know?

Thanks.

[matthew070105]

That's the thing, neither of us know anyone else lol. I'm trying to find someone that will connect to me or whatever but we both downloaded and use it just for each other, not for anyone else.

[jawatson]

If the two of you bought the cameras and installed Yahoo specifically to communicate with each other, it might be worthwhile for you to try one of the other dedicated Video IM programs. Here are some suggestions, all free and easy to install:

ooVoo Visually very nice, easy to install, supports up to 3-way video chat in the free version, up to 6-way video chat in the subscription version. Excellent Customer Support.

SightSpeed Very good video and audio quality. Free version has one-to-one video, subscription Personal Plus version has up to 4-way video, Business version has up to 9-way video. Excellent Customer Support.

Gizmo5 Video is weaker than the previous two, but audio and text IM is superior, PSTN (ordinary phone) dial in/out is excellent, and it runs on the widest variety of platforms (Windows, MacOX, Linux, Mobiles/Smartphones and lots of cell phones.

Skype The best known and most widely installed of the Video IM apps. If it works for you, it can be good. But it can be difficult to impossible to install and get working properly, and if you have any trouble, you will discover that Skype has ABSOLUTELY NO USEFUL CUSTOMER SUPPORT. The Skype network has now become a favorite target for spammers and other objectionable material, so once you sign up, you are likely to find yourself receiving a steady stream of unwanted and often offensive contacts, which Skype has so far been unwilling or unable to do anything about.

I hope this helps, and that you are able to get your video chat working. Good luck.

Message Edited by jawatson on 06-30-2008 05:53 AM

Message Edited by jawatson on 06-30-2008 07:07 AM

[ahno]

"Waiting for Permission" (XP)

I had the same condition but in XP on both ends. I used Logitech Webcam Orbit AFsuccessfully before but now I get this message. The other end can see their "my webcam" video but on my end I get on his webcam video window "Waiting for Permission". We did not do any changes (forwarding) on port. We don't use wireless. We don't use firewall. We don't use router. We use Yahoo Messenger. Instead of suggesting 3rd party software, I wish that Logitech would put out their own maintenance code to fix this. I don't even know what to do with the help given ----

The help said ""Waiting for Permission" error: Sometimes, the "direction of contact" matters. Check to see if the problem occurs when you present the "invite", or when the other party presents the "invite". The cause of this error is most likely a "port" or NAT restriction at either end."

The way I understand this is that this does not apply to me because the port only applies when I have a router. The NAT is on a router. We don't use router.

We did restart so many number of times and still get the same message. We took turns in doing the invite first but still get the same error message.

Please help.