Any tips?

[geoff]

Given the complexity of using any videoconferencing
software, I won't ask for a solution, only any tips that
anyone might have.

I want to use MSN Messenger with my one-way satellite
internet connection. In effect, I should theoretically be
able to recieve video at very high speeds but only send it
at slow speeds. (This type of broadband connection is the
only one available to me where I live.) My problem seems
to be that Messenger, like all similar software, wants to
use a peer-to-peer connection but this causes me
problems. Effectively I have two IP addresses - one which
sends, one which recieves. This not a problem for surfing -
the 'fetch-page' instruction is sent to my satellite ISP
who then transmits the page back via satellite. But when I
try to use Messenger or the like, the connection is always
set to my slow dial-up and bypasses my satellite
connection.

Does anyone have any insights on this process from
Messenger's perspective?

Second, my satellite connection allows me to use the
satellite as a 'socks proxy' - as I understand it, I can
force applications to use the satellite connection as
opposed to the dial-up connection. Doesn't seem to have
any effect however. Agian, any insights on the relevance
or otherwise of socks to Messenger would be appreciated.

Finally, reading this ng makes me wonder: can it really be
this difficult to set up videoconfernecing on the
internet? You never see pages and pages of discusion on
making Internet Explorer work or Outlook work or Flash
work or Real Player work etc. Why is this so difficult?

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Geoff,

I do admit I'm not a satellite Internet expert, but from a Messenger prospective, I don't see
anyway to really get this to work (via satellite anyway).

The SOCKS proxy option in Messenger is only for connecting to the Messenger server itself,
it's not for Peer2Peer connectivity that voice/video requires.

Video conferencing is one of the few Internet applications which requires a 2-way direct
connection from you to your contact. Essentially what happens in Messenger's case is you
send data (voice/video) to your contact, and your contact sends data (voice/video) to you.
In order for this to work, both sides need each others IP addresses, and Messenger is sending
your modem's IP address to do this. The reason why you don't see help pages for these other
applications (although if you go to real.com, macromedia, etc. you will find some) is because
they really only require a 1-way connection, as well, almost all support multiple protocols
[if they can't connect using their own methods, they'll revert to HTTP (that is essentially,
normal web browsing)].

There is a way to have Messenger send your satellite's IP (although I have no idea if this
will work, if is worth a try). To do so, click Start, All Programs, Accessories,
Communications, and Network Connections. Choose the Advanced menu, then Advanced Settings.
and use the arrow's in the first window to change the order to:

Connections:
Your Satellite Connection
Your Modem Connection (if listed, it may not be, which is okay)
Any other connections you have
1394 Connection (if applicable)
[Remote Access connections]

After you've finished, click OK, reboot.and try again.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"geoff" > wrote in message ...
> Given the complexity of using any videoconferencing
> software, I won't ask for a solution, only any tips that
> anyone might have.
>
> I want to use MSN Messenger with my one-way satellite
> internet connection. In effect, I should theoretically be
> able to recieve video at very high speeds but only send it
> at slow speeds. (This type of broadband connection is the
> only one available to me where I live.) My problem seems
> to be that Messenger, like all similar software, wants to
> use a peer-to-peer connection but this causes me
> problems. Effectively I have two IP addresses - one which
> sends, one which recieves. This not a problem for surfing -
> the 'fetch-page' instruction is sent to my satellite ISP
> who then transmits the page back via satellite. But when I
> try to use Messenger or the like, the connection is always
> set to my slow dial-up and bypasses my satellite
> connection.
>
> Does anyone have any insights on this process from
> Messenger's perspective?
>
> Second, my satellite connection allows me to use the
> satellite as a 'socks proxy' - as I understand it, I can
> force applications to use the satellite connection as
> opposed to the dial-up connection. Doesn't seem to have
> any effect however. Agian, any insights on the relevance
> or otherwise of socks to Messenger would be appreciated.
>
> Finally, reading this ng makes me wonder: can it really be
> this difficult to set up videoconfernecing on the
> internet? You never see pages and pages of discusion on
> making Internet Explorer work or Outlook work or Flash
> work or Real Player work etc. Why is this so difficult?
>
>