Limitations on Number of Participants

Hi Wigs,

The Windows Messenger video support (also labeled "Video Conference" in MSN Messenger 6.x)
has a high framerate, but is limited in its size. Whereas the MSN Messenger "Webcam" support
has a somewhat slower framerate (depending on whether a direct connection or relay server
connection has been established) but can support higher sizes. Also be aware that the
Windows Messenger audio/video support is part of the Windows RTC (Real Time Communication)
APIs and is in fact built-in to Windows XP (any application can actually make use of it).

As I said above, if the "Webcam" can't establish a direct connection from your contact to
you, it will use a central relay server which will "relay" your video to the other person.
Using the relay server is extremely slow, and if this is being used, the video will only
update every few seconds. This is different from the Windows Messenger video support and
audio support in both Messenger clients, as a direct connection needs to be established or it
won't work at all.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"wigs" <wigs@qwertywanadoo.fr> wrote in message news:OegbpsE0DHA.540@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
Just before Xmas I asked about limitations on the number of participants in a Windows
Messenger or an MSN Messenger 'conversation'. Jonathan Kay gave the following answer:
"It is a limitation of how the technology works -- in order to have more then one-on-one
conversations, Messenger would need to support Multipoint-based conversations and/or have a
central server in order to deliver such a feature, at present, Messenger doesn't have this
capability (although MSN Messenger 6.x does allow you to let as many users as you want "view"
your webcam)."

While I think I understand the answer, what technological advantage (if any) does the Windows
Messenger Video Conf feature have over combining the separate features in MSN Messenger of
Audio and Webcam. From what I've seen so far, the refresh rate of the web cam is pretty slow
in MSN Messenger - can that be increased? It's not clear why, if MSN Messenger web cam
images can be viewed by any number of people, a video conference is limited to just 2 people
(notwithstanding Jonathan's answer above).

If Jonathan Kay reads this - keep up the good work - you seem to give clear, sound advice to
this Newsgroup. All of the MVPs do a wonderful job and help we lesser amateur mortals -
Happy New Year!

Wigs