Why can't I video call anyone one iChat?

Question

I can't video chat anyone! I've had my iChat for a few months now and still can't figure out why! I can message them but can't transfer files or pictures too! Please help!!!

Answer 1

Hi,
There are some variances with different versions of iChat that may need different ports opened.
Lets start with logging into to AIM
This is done on port 5190 using the TCP protocol in all version including iChat 5
File Sharing is on port 5190 using UDP in these versions
This dual use of port 5190 causes issues in some routers.
Go to iChat menu > Preferences > Accounts and untick the "Enable this Account" box to Log Out
Go to the Server Settings tab and change the Login port to 443
Enable the account again.
iChat 6 and Messages use port 443 to Login by default.
It seems File Transfers are also on port 443.
A/V chats use a different set of ports
The Visible Invite to and from your Buddy is on port 5678 UDP
The Connection process is then on port 16402 since iChat 4.  This sends a behind the scenes Invite using SIP (Session Initiation protocol)  and then if this is accepted the Video is on port 16402 as well
Most of these can be effected by your router if the ports are not opened.
Your router should be accessible in a web Browser.
Check that it has UPnP (a Method of opening the ports) and that it is Enabled.
Notes
There are 65535 Internet ports in total.
Many common apps use common port that are always open (the first 1024).
Web Browsing s on port 80 and Secure sites on port 443
Mail uses a whole bunch of different ports with no more than three digits
FTP which you might use to upload to a Web Server is on port 21 or 22
Ports above 1024 have to be specifically opened in most routers.
UPnP allows the apps to tell the router which ports to open and works for multiple computers.
11:46 PM      Saturday; August 25, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously