Want to stream audio of church services...use iChat?

Question

Hi all,
I have a friend who is very ill and cannot be in our weekly services. She is able to use a computer with her eyes (blinking). We would like to purchase a MacBook to broadcast this service live. We don't need video, just audio.
Would iChat be the way to go?
Also, if we have wifi in the church for the mac and she has wifi for her computer, do we still need to purchase anything else?
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,
iChat could be one way to do this.
Your Church computer and hers would need Internet access unless you mean she is that close to the church that she can be on the same Network (like having several computers at home).
iChat can work over the Internet or over a local Network (LAN)
Getting suitable Audio into the Church Mac may be an issue.
The 3.5mm Audio Line In needs the signal to be amplified or at least Pre-amped.
(it does not work with stand-alone PC 3.5mm Mic jacks as they are not pre-amped)
If you have Mics for clergy and for music and a mixing desk of some sort then the Headphone/monitoring output should be good enough.
iChat uses several different ports over the internet that may not be open in any routing device as standard.
There are in fact 65535 ports as they are called over an internet connection.
In most devices that route a certain number up to port 1024 are open by default and allow Web Browsing and mail apps to work.
iChat uses ports above this threshold or port 1024.
This often requires that the ports are specifically opened.
The method used can vary from device to device but if you need to purchase one get one that does UPnP as this is an Enable/Disable setting that is easy to set up. (the apps then tell the device which ports to Open).
In some Universities and large office set ups you can have issues as A/V Chatting is not allowed for "Security" or "Bandwidth" reasons.
The same may apply in a Hospital or other medical facility.
If, as a customer, they have been promised "full Internet Access" then playing the customer card and the "Service provided is not fit for purpose" may help if ports or other restrictions are in place.
iChat can be somewhat Automated as to Starting when the computer is turned On and to Auto Accept invites which may help.
Another option may be Mebeam
This is a web site that create "Rooms" normally for Video chatting but could be for Audio only.
As it is via a Web Browser it is likely to be accessible almost anywhere.
It uses Flash to control the Mic and Camera.
Again Audio input to the church Mac would still be a concern.
10:09 PM Thursday; December 24, 2009