Russ-UK's CU-SeeMe Page
|
|
Russ-UK's CU-SeeMe Page |
|
On this page:
 |
Introduction |
|
Hints and Tips |
|
Common CU-SeeMe phrases and shorthand |
|
White Pines Version 3.1x - Known Bugs |
|
New - Cornell Version 0.96a17 - some Hints and Tips |
|
Other CU related Pages |
Links to my other CU related Pages:
|
Russ-UK CU-SeeMe Survey Results - Have a look at a survey of CU users I carried out during September 1997 - I find the results very enlightening and intend to repeat the survey next year to look for any changes. |
|
Time and CU-SeeMe |
|
Blurred Lines |
One of the most impressive applications of the Internet is Cornell Universities (CU - get it?) fantastic Internet video teleconferencing program. This program enables two or more people from anywhere in the world to see live real-time video of one another, send text based chat, and given enough bandwidth speak to each other as well.
There are two versions of CU-SeeMe. The first is free and available direct form the Cornell University. See my section on Cornell 0.96a17 for latest details and some hits and tips.. The second version is the enhanced version from White Pines that also sends and receives in colour. A time limited demo is available from White Pines.
The latest version of Enhanced CU-SeeMe is version 3.1.1 I myself had a bad experience with the beta version of 3.0 which apart from being very very slow to load was extremely unstable.(Although the 3.1.1 seems better) I also had to format my hard disk and to a total reinstall of Windows to enable me to revert back to version 2.1.2. I have heard similar reports from others. However I have also seen the odd one or two people who are delighted with version 3.x in particular some of its more clever features, such as fully scaleable windows and private chat, active URLs in the chat window and when it does work, the video quality is without doubt superior to that of 2.1.2, although I think it's speed is slower and it seems less tolerant of packet loss.
It may be that we will all need to come to terms with using version 3.x soon as when combined with WhitePines reflector version 3 it enables not only CU-SeeMe clients to conference on the same reflector but also those using Mircosoft Netmeeting.
If you look hard enough though around the White Pines web site, you should still be able to find version 2.1.1 to purchase, and a very litttle publicised version 2.1.2 which has improved MJPEG video handling. - Have a look on the FAQ page and try using the search engine to look for version 2.1.2.
The easiest way to join the world of CU-SeeMe is by using a Connetix Quickcam.
This excellent device is a simple black and white video camera that connects to your PC via the printer port. It does not need a video capture card and is incredibly easy to set up and use. It is also relatively cheap at around £70.
A colour version is also available for around £130 and this in combination with the White Pines Enhanced version running the new MJPEG codec really does produce stunning results! Get the MJPEG 1.1 upgrade by following the link from the White Pines CU FAQ page. - And MJPEG is now available for te MAC too.. so there's now excuse now!
A new version of the Quickcam is also available called the QC VC. This is a colour camera and very very cheap at around under £100. It has a much lower resolution than the colour Quickcam though and needs to have video quality set higher for an acceptable picture, which means its frame rates tend to be slower. However it is also available in a USB (Universal serial bus) version.
I am a self confessed CU-SeeMe addict. I have tried on many occasions to explain to people what the attraction is of CU-SeeMe but have always failed. Anyway I will try again. The closest thing I can think of is that being a regular on a good reflector is like being a regular at a good social club where you know the others. Everyone swaps stories, tells jokes and generally has a good time. The only thing is that the club members may be many thousands of miles apart. I have made many friends on CU-SeeMe and met many many interesting people whom I would never have come across any other way. Some people have asked me how you can form and maintain a friendship with someone you have never really met...well all I can say is give it a try and find out for yourself. Last year I tried to cut down the amount of time I spend on CU, but failed miserably. BE WARNED...CU-SeeMe is seriously addictive!
Look for me around the ref's and say "Hi" if our paths cross. My Nickname on the ref's is Russ_UK...don't ask why, it's a long story.....
My CU-SeeMe Hints and Tips...or how to get on in the world of CU-SeeMe.
|
The first thing to remember on CU-SeeMe is that the people you see and chat to are real. Take time to get to know them as people. Announce your arrival on a channel with a general "Hello All"...Join in the chat...be polite and try not to take offence too easily. It's just like real life...because it is real life. |
|
Think of a good nickname and stick to it (Change the default from Tom Servo or Hidday Whatever it is or CU-SeeMe User....straight away!!!)...How are people going to get to know you if you keep changing your name? If you are not sending video and your name or nick does not imply a gender it is useful to add (m) or (f) as it is if your name could be either male or female. |
|
The main interface within a CU-SeeMe conference is still text based...this suffers from all the shortcomings of traditional IRC Chat. It is easy for chat to get out of sequence, and you can sometimes drop lines of chat..this can lead to considerable confusion. |
|
Although this looks like a disadvantage, the "type and send" text interface actually can help on occasions, as it gives you the opportunity to re-read what you have typed before sending it, and change it if you have any doubts - in effect you can literally take back your words - something that would be useful in real life on occasions. Any CU'er who has chatted using a real time text interface e.g. Powwow, or ICQ chat, will know exactly what I am talking about, as your text appears in real time the person you are chatting with can tell if you have changed your mind about your words. I actually think that CU chat is not far from becoming a unique sub-set of the English (or should that be American) language. |
|
Also remember not everyone in the world speaks English as a first language...but I am amazed at the generally very high standard to which it is spoken around the world...I wish I could speak another language half as good as most people I have met... |
|
Don't try and send sound (audio) over a reflector. It is quite simply a waste of bandwidth. |
|
Never Direct connect to anybody without their express permission. This is a BIG NO NO. Not only will they generally be very annoyed, but you will probably "kick" them off the reflector they were on. |
|
Never take Video Captures without the permission of the sender. |
|
Learn the shorthand....(A lot like IRC) |
|
Make at least some effort at being original in your chat - anyone who has been on CU for more than 5 minutes will have heard all the old lines before and they do become very very boring. |
|
But most of all have fun, CU is all about having fun, so don't take anything you see or hear too seriously, just enjoy yourself. |
Hints on avoiding unauthorised DC's whilst on a reflector.
If you are using the Enhanced version 2.1.x of CU-Seeme then try this.
Hints on Setting up the MJPEG codec with a Colour Quickcam
These are the settings I have found that work best for me.
There are still some problems with MJPEG in that not everyone can see it, it does not work with 16 bit operating systems, and it does not work with some video cards, but when it does work it is incredible!
If you cannot see someone sending MJPEG and they show on your sender list.
|
Use the "EYE" Icon to close all senders, leave the video closed for a few seconds, then open the MJPEG sender on their own until their video has started. You may need to repeat this process a few times. |
|
If this fails then try the same process hiting the "Stop/Start receiving video button" |
Other Reasons why you may not be receiving video.
There are many rasons why you may not be receiving video or be receiving bad quality video. Some possibilities are listed below:
|
Bad Routing - This is probably the main cause. If your connection to the reflector goes through a router that is or becomes busy then your receive rates and consequently your video reception will suffer. There is nothing you can do about this except sit and wait and hope it improves, or disconnect and try again. |
|
Bad phone lines - This was my biggest curse until recently. If your connection to your ISP is not perfect then your modem will negotiate a slower speed until it can cope with the noise on the phone line, consequently your vid reception suffers. |
|
Sender sending to fast - If someone is connected to the reflector with a very fast connection then their send rate can easily be way too fast for your modem to handle even if the reflector can. There is little you can do about this. You could suggest to the sender that they lower their send rate, but it is their decision. |
|
Sender sending too slow - Once again this is out of your control, have a look at their info by right clicking their name and seeing if their send rate is set at a sensible amout (between 15 and 25 kbps) and if not you could suggest that they change their settings. |
|
Ref running slow - Sometimes a reflector needs to be rebooted. Hopefully a ref op will notice this and do the necessary. |
|
Unclosed video streams - remember to use the close all eye and clear your chat window occasionally. Also closing your participant window frees up a little extra bandwidth too as does clearing the chat window from time to time. |
|
Unusual Codec - Some capture devices especially video camera capture cards (as opposed to a Quickcam) offer their own video compression codecs. Have a look at the senders Info box and see if they are using a codec that you do not recognize. |
|
Non-CU-SeeMe Client - This is going to happen very soon. Not all the senders on a ref will be using CU-SeeMe and you will need to have the very latest version of CU to be able to receive their vid. |
|
MJPEG Quality set too high - See above section. |
|
Version 3.1 build 25 bug - See below |
There are at least two very annoying bugs in version 3.1 of WhitePines Enhanced Cu-SeeMe version 3.1. These two bugs are found in build 21 and build 25. (The last two digits of the version number indicate the build number)
|
The Build 21 bug - The bug in build 21 is extremely annoying indeed. It causes all the chat from a participant using this version to be sent over and over again. There does not seem to be any trigger for this, and sometimes it does not happen at all, but when it does I have seen as many as 30 or so lines of text repeated in the chat window. the only cure seems to be to leave the reflector and close CU to clear the text buffer and then rejoin the ref. |
|
The Build 25 bug - This bug is at at least as annoying as the one above, and I have seen it cause numerous heated discussions as to whether or not someone is actually sending video. The bug manifests itself when a participant changes reflectors or conferences. On joining the second reflector their video stream will just not start. The symptoms of this on the reflector are that the senders information will show them sending no data, even though their local statistics will show that everything is working correctly. The fix for this once again to leave the ref, close CU, then restart CU and rejoin the ref. |
|
Although WhitePines would have you believe otherwise, it seems that the Build 25 bug has not been cured in release 3.1.1 |
Cornell 0.96a17 - Hints and tips.
At the end of April 1998 in my opinion the best version of CU so far was released (sort of) on the world. This is the latest version of Cornell Universities Freeware version of Cu and has some considerable enhancements over earlier versions. It would appear that for various legal reasons though that this version is being distributed only by personal contact rather than being published on their webpage.
Sorry but please don't ask me for a copy as I have to PAY phonecalls while I am online. Try Bill Woodlands page, or ask your own closer CU friends.
The main advantage this version has is that it too can send and receive colour video using either the MJPEG codec or one of the Indeo colour compression codecs.
It can also send and receive large format (320x240) video, had private chat, colour coded fonts, a scrollable chat and participant window, VERY fast video, and what is most astonishing of all, packs all this into 600K of code. TOTALLY AWESOME!.
Problems I have seen:
|
Although this version can send and receive the MJPEG codec, it does NOT install it. You need to have the codec already on your system for it to function. Anyone who has previously installed a version of WhitePines 2.1.1 or upwards (demo of full version) should have this though. |
|
If you close or minimize your local video window then your send STOPS. |
|
If you send video at the 320x240 format some users will not be able to see you AND I have known users of 2.1.x to crash if they open video of that resolution. |
|
The VC version of the QC seems to be difficult to set up to work with this version. I have seen people do it successfully, but others swear blind it just does not work. |
|
It seems more prone to "false connects" than 2.1.x E.g, You local information will say "Connecting" but the reflector will show you as connected and sending no video or chat. This is very difficult to detect unless someone on the ref tell you by ICQ. Sometimes this can be cured by closing and re-opening CU, but mostly needs a full reboot. |
|
It seems more prone to "false DC's". E.g, on trying to connect to a ref you will inadvertently appear to either be trying to DC someone already there, or will get a connection request from them. If this happens please don't be rude, just accept that it is an accident. |
|
With my capture card (WinTV PCI) it is not very good at changing codecs. It seems to reset my colour, brightness, hue, and saturation to ZERO which results in a black local video screen and needs to be reset. |
|
Again with my capture card, on changing codecs it needs to be told that the video source is the "composite input" i.e. the video camera, each time I change codecs etc. |
|
It seems less intolerant of MJPEG quality settings than the WhitePines version, but a good place to try for starters is with the Quality Slider set between the "Q" and the "u" of the word Quality. |
These may sound like a LOT of problems, but believe me it is worth the effort. Video send and receive is incredible.
Here are some more common CU phrases and shorthand...
|
Lurker..........Someone who cannot send video |
|
Reflector......A Server set up to "reflect" video to all people in a conference. Normally accessed by it's IP address. |
|
Cudoodle....A program that simulates a video input device, and allows "lurkers" to occupy a sender slot. (Is frowned upon by genuine senders) |
|
Part List......The list of participants on a conference |
|
Poof...........The act of leaving a channel without saying goodbye..either intentionally or unintentionally......so called because your Video Window goes "POOF" and disappears) |
|
BRB...........Be right back - BBL - Be back later, BBIAB - be back in a bit. |
|
ROFL.........Rolls on floor laughing |
|
<G>/<GRIN>..Obvious - <VBG> - Very Big Grin - <EG> - Evil Grin etc.. |
|
LOL............Laugh out loud |
|
WB.............Welcome back.....normally follows a poof <g> |
|
Private Ref..A private reflector, normally accessed using a specific conference ID number. These are generally by invitation only. |
|
Pay Reflectors - as the name implies these want your money. |
|
LTNS..........Long Time No See |
|
AFK...........Away From Keyboard |
|
DC - Direct Connection - a 1:1 direct connection to another persons IP address rather than via a reflector. |
CU-SeeMe is Addictive.....It can seriously disturb you sleeping pattern....I am sure my body-clock thinks it is living somewhere in the USA <g>.....Time Zones - Who needs them?
Some friends I have met on CU
|
Lady Xeen's Page - Totally different to any other CU related page - :-) |
|
Tracy's CU Page - Getting better every time I visit it. |
|
BluCamino's Newbies Page - Who said Americans don't have a sense of humour? - I love this page! |
|
Scott's Fantasy Realm - Another lunatic <G> |
|
Taffy and Leeky's Page - Apparently Leeky writes air-traffic control software... I have given up flying <G> |
|
Vickies Pages - I'm not sure if I have ever met Vickie on a reflector - but we have seen each others web pages and liked them :-) - different eh?.. Check out her "Dictionary of pick-up lines" Superb! |
CU related Links
|
Streak's reflector Scanner - a very useful tool :) |
|
Spacer's Enhanced Reflector Software Page - Thinking of setting up a ref? - Why pay WhitePines a fortune when you can have something at least as good for free :) |
|
The Refmarshal Hompage - A really stunningly well written piece of code to control a reflector site. - If you are a reflector monitor get this software, register it and enjoy. |
|
Bill Woodland's superb CU-SeeMe Page - Everything you ever wanted to know about Cu-SeeMe, including set up info, reflector lists and loads of other useful information. |
|
The CU-Friends Homepage - Gone but not forgotten. |
|
The GeekPC Homepage - Rapidly becoming a required extra for any serious CU'er. |
|
ICQ - Mirabilis's Incredible Program - Paging, Messaging, File Transfer and a million other features - Now available ICQ98 - with many additional features |
|
CaribChat - A very comprehensive site with loads of great CU information |
|
CUnnect32 - A really superb Reflector Autodialler for version 2.1x - and a very nice piece of code too. |
Page last revised: 9th May 1998