(Last Update:April 6 2009)

WINDOWS VISTA USERS: READ THIS:

• If you are receiving an error when you attempt to install or run the latest version of Chatvibe, please follow the following instructions to repair the problem:
  
  
  • Part 1:
    • Open up an Administrator Command Prompt.
      • 1. Click on Start in the lower left hand corner of the screen (the windows symbol), then "All Programs" and finally "Accessories"
      • 2. RIGHT-CLICK (do not left-click) on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator"
      • 3. Click "Continue" when prompted please.
        
        
    
    
    
  • Part 2:
    • Turn off Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
      • 1. Inside of Administrator Command Prompt type the following exactly:
        
        bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff
        
        (yes: use squiggly brackets { and } )
        
        Then hit please hit enter. If you typed it exactly as above (with the spaces between .exe and /set and between /set and {current} and between {current} and nx and between nx and Always Off), you will see a message such as "operation completed successfully".
        
        
        
        
      • 2. Close the command prompt and please restart your computer.
      
      
      Once you have completed the above steps, Chatvibe on Vista should operate normally.
      
      

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Vista and XP Users:

Chatvibe running too slow? Getting "Disconnected from Server" Error Messages? Video not appearing?

• Your computer may be infected with Spyware, Adware, or other malware. Programs such as these can rob you of CPU performance which Chatvibe needs to provide good quality video to your customers. If you suspect that this is happening, please run a virus scanner on your machine.
  
  

Customers to my room cannot see or hear me, and are getting a looping "connecting" message. What is wrong?

• There are several issues that can cause this condition, including:
  • You are behind a Proxy Server, or your service provider is using a transparent proxy associated with your connection to the Internet. / caching server to artificially speed-up your connection. This is especially true of SATELLITE CONNECTIONS. Click here to test for Proxy Servers. If your service provider is using a proxy server for your connection, call your service provider and ask for a non-proxied connection. The change takes only minutes and can be done over the phone, and will usually result in a faster connection to the Internet for you.
    
    

I have questions about my account / When am I paid for my performances / how much am I paid, etc

• How much you are paid and by who depends on where your original account was created. If you have lost this information, please contact us and we will provide this information to you.

Can I make more money by promoting my chat room on my website, blog or on forums?

• Yes. It is possible to earn additional revenue by promoting yourself. Contact us for details.

What are the minimum requirements to run Chatvibe on my computer?.

• The minimum requirements are listed here.

I am using a camcorder and see only a BLUE or BLACK screen in Chatvibe.

• Your camera is not turned on or is not properly connected to your computer. Check to make sure that the VIDEO OUT from your camera is connected to the VIDEO IN of your video capture card, and that you have it set to capture video from the right input source (Video, S/VHS or Y/C connector, TV Channel, etc. (See blackscreen / Blue screen section located here



• OR, Something has gone wrong with the authentication system which allows you to broadcast to our servers. Your computer is running Microsoft OneCare or other firewall product which is interfering with the operation of Chatvibe. OneCare is incompatible with Chatvibe. For more information please click here.
  
  
• OR, you are running multiple firewall products such as Norton Security, AVG, McAffee security etc, simultaneously, uncessarily. Try disabling 1 or more of these products.

People cannot hear me or my audio is distorted.

• Your Microphone is plugged in to the wrong port. Check to see that it is plugged in to the MIC port.
  
  
• Your Microphone is plugged in to the right port, but the wrong sound device. Check the audio settings in CHATVIBE and select the correct audio device.
  
  
• If you are using a CREATIVE LABS EXTIGY or AUDIGY External Sound Card, use your remote to turn-on the microphone by clicking on OPTIONS and then selecting Microphone with the Cursor. Then, turn up your Microphone gain to approximately 3/4 of the way. Make your sure your mic is plugged into the Mic input on the front of the Extigy unit, and not into the Mic input of your computer.
  
  
• TEST YOUR SOUND!. Run the Windows Sound Recorder program and record and playback your own voice. Click on Start / Programs / Accessories / Entertainment / Sound Recoder. Click on RECORD, Speak into your mic, and see if you record any sound. Play it back and listen. How do you sound? If the quality is bad, adjust your mic settings and position of your mic to get the best possible sound. This makes a HUGE Difference and your customers will appreciate it.

What is Bandwidth? Which bandwidth setting should I use?

• The term 'Bandwidth' describes the amount of data is transfered from your PC running Chatvibe, to the end user, and is measured in bits per second. The more bits per second, the more 'detail' chatvibe can use to encode your video and audio. High bandwidth offers more image detail than low bandwidth and makes for a clearer picture.
  
  Other factors that can affect image and sound quality are the type of camera you have, and the speed of your computer.

• Choose LOW or MEDIUM Bandwidth if:
  • Your computer is a dual core Pentium 4 or lower.
  • If your Internet connection is less than 250kb/s upstream
  • If you are using a 'webcam'.
  
  
• Choose HIGH Bandwidth if:
  • You are using a Dual Core Pentium 2.2 GHz or Faster, AND
  • You Internet connection is 250Kb/s upstream or faster..
  
  
• Choose HIGH Bandwidth AND 'Wide Screen' Mode if:
  • Your computer has an Intel CORE2 DUO or CORE2 EXTREME Processor AND;
  • You are using a Video Capture Card such as the Viewcast Osprey 210 Capture Card AND;
  • You are using a Camcorder with 16:9 'Wide Screen' support.

How do I know if I am using the correct bandwidth?

• Check the Encoder Status Tab. The Expected Bit Rate is the Kbps that the encoder profile is set to for the video portion of the stream (desired Bit Rate).
  
  The Video Bit Rate is the second-by-second actual Bit Rate being consumed whilst uploading the video portion (varies on darkness / complexity of image), and on average, the Average Bit Rate is... the average, which hopefully should be relatively close to the Expected Bit Rate if conditions are not degraded.
  
  Dropped Bytes should tell us if there are any dropped video bytes during degraded conditions.

How can I improve my own video and sound quality?

• Visit the video tech support page located here. (And get help for sound issues here)

I have a customer causing problems for me. What should I do?

• Ask this customer to stop. If he refuses, you can kick him out of your chat room by right-clicking on his username in the USER LIST at the top of your screen, and selecting KICK-OUT. If the problem persists, Contact us for assistance.

ERROR MESSAGES

I get the error [Encoder Error: ox80070005] when I try to log in to Chatvibe. Why?

• This error corresponds to an "access denied" message during authentication of the video streams. Something on your computer may be blocking or modifying the authentication process with our servers. Please verify that you are not running any very-strong firewall or web proxy software which may interfere with the authentication process. Is your computer running Microsoft OneCare? It may be interfering with the operation of Chatvibe. click here