Mebeam is a Flash based application running within a browser and makes use of dedicated proprietary load-balancing servers. All is programmed by and is copyright of Ashod Apakian. MeBeam Multichat has audio build-in and there can be till 16 people in one room. The size of the video will be automatically adapted when more people are joining. Also a simple chat can be included. On these page the current Mebeam is used with a fixed roomname, just to test the new Mebeam. To enjoy all the new features, visit the MeBeam site. The use of the free Firefox browser is recommended! By using MeBeam you accept also its terms and conditions.

How to use:
1. This page uses a fixed, not changable, roomname.
2. Click "Allow" to accept the MeBeam terms and conditions and to have your video (webcam) available and be able to use MeBeam. Your own video should appear. If not, click the right mouse button in the multichat window. A menu window should pop-up. Select the Settings and you will see the Flash settings menu.
3. Click the Webcam icon to select the capturing device (webcam). Select in the Settings the Microphone icon to set the recording device. Check the level gauge for the correct level. The level gauge should be at the green/yellow level. If the sound is still too loud, it can be necessary to just click the slider.
4. When hovering the mouse over the video, several clickable text buttons will show, which is explained below. The microphone "MIC" is default set to OFF.
5. Press "MIC" to ON to talk. Press "MIC" to OFF when finished talking to prevent echo when not using a headset. Using a headset is recommended.
6. To invite people, copy this page URL and paste it through an Instant Messenger (IM) to friends.
7. If something is wrong, just reload this webpage, but have only one MeBeam screen open at a time.
8. The most bottom line can be used to input messages.



Explanation of the buttons in the videowindows:

Green MIC button in the top left of your own video:
When the green button is dimmed, your microphone is OFF. When highlighted the microphone is ON. Click the button to change (toggle).

Green Silence button in the top right of your own video:
When the green button is dimmed, the others audio is enabled. When highlighted they will be muted. Click the button to change (toggle).

Red MUTE button in the top left of the other videoscreens:
When dimmed that audio is enabled. When highlighted that audio is muted. Click the button to change (toggle). It might be necessary to click this button twice to hear the sound from the others.

Red FADE button in the top right of the other videoscreens:
Clicking it fades that video and highlights the button. Clicking a 2nd time enables that video again.

Red Private button down right in the other videoscreens:
Clicking it will highlight the Private button on the video of that person. That person will see also this private button highlighted. When that person clicks also that highlighted Private button, both will jump to another (Private) room.


Inviting people in Skype with SkyBeam, click here When the Mebeam contact in Skype is not available (offline), you cannot invite others through Skype.


Mebeam Most Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is Mebeam free to use?
A: Yes, the current Mebeam is free and there will always be a free Mebeam version. However, there are plans for a commercial / business version with specific (extra) options.

Q: For which Operating Systems is Mebeam available ?
A: Mebeam uses an Internet browser and a Flash plug-in. Any O.S. which has the ability to use Flash, can be used for Mebeam.

Q: Are there other ways to invite people into Mebeam?
A: Yes, there are 'plug-ins' available for a lot of Instant Messengers already! Like e.g. for Skype, Coccinella, AIM, Pidgin, Miranda, Windows Live Messenger (MSN), Google Talk, MeeBo, Adium, MSG and Jabber Instant Messengers.

Q: Why does Mebeam not work (not showing mine, nor others video) ?
A: When having problems with Mebeam not showing any, check your firewall settings. You have to allow Mebeam and Flash TCP port 1935 to communicate with your PC. It can also be that the servers are temporary down due to maintenance, upgrade or not foreseen reason: Try again later.

Q: Why is the video in Mebeam so slow for me? (The next item is also related)
A: First, you need a quite modern system to be able to do videocommunication without problems. A bottom rule is to have a cpu which is able to run at 1 GHz or better. Be sure you have enough environmental light for your webcam. Some CMOS webcams are tending to have a high(er) processor load. You also need to have sufficient free memory in your system and enough available internet bandwidth. See also the next item.

Q: Why does my video and audio seems to have often stops ? (See also previous item)
A: To get the best performance, you need a good and consistent quality of your internet connection. Especially the upload, it should have an available minimum of 256kbps. Check first your connection and speed and check if your ISP is manipulating your data.

Q: Why does Mebeam not show my own video?
A: Check the following things: (Compatible) Flash plugin for your browser installed, (Recent) drivers for your webcam installed and selection of the correct video device: Right mouse click in the multichat window. Select Flash Settings. Select the camera icon at the bottom row and select the correct video capturing device. If there are still problems and Flash Player v10 is used, than try also the latest Flash Player v9 (Note: The Netscape plug-in is also for Opera and Firefox browsers)

Q: Why does Mebeam close the room after some (predetermined) time?
A: After 90 seconds, the rooms will auto close when they are NOT in use by others. It saves lots of datatraffic and valuable server use. Rooms which are in use, will auto refresh each 20 minutes to minimize roomdelays and to clear users which are not active anymore, to give others a chance to enter that room when they were full.

Q: Why am I banned from Mebeam and how to solve it?
A: Abusive and/or insulting language, but also porno in any form are not allowed. When you got banned, you should know that there is a build-in freeing mechanism within Mebeam. Banned people have to try to login into a Mebeam room as many times as it takes to be freed from banning. As for a reason other than mentioned before, that people got banned: If a lot of people come and go in/out a room and a person is set to be banned by a Mod, it could be due to timing that another gets banned too. If this does not help you, clear the browsers cache and try the unban procedure again. Do NOT send an email and do NOT post a topic on the Mebeam forum about being banned: The freeing mechanism should work!

Q: I am a Mac user and why does my USB webcam not work in Mebeam?
A: If using an USB webcam, click the Settings control at the top right corner and click the small webcam tab, and make sure that the 'usb-class' webcam is selected.

Q: I want to have Mebeam on my website, but it seems not to work the way I want to?
A: The current Mebeam is not yet suitable to embed onto a personal webpage.

Q: Can Mebeam work on my local LAN?
A: Yes, but Mebeam needs access to the WAN for connection to the Mebeam servers. The up-/download requirement is a minimum of 256kbps per user, better much more. Note that Mebeam is not developed for local LAN use, due to that it will be slow and delayed. Take a look at the MeServe application development to create your own Flash server.

Q: Where should I ask for help when I have a problem with Mebeam?
A: If your problem is not mentioned here in the FAQ, you can post a message on the MeBeam forum in section 'Problems using Mebeam and Wigiwigi', but read first this here and you need to upload your picture as avatar to get any support for Mebeam. Last but not least: The used language on the forum is English only.


Webcam: People who have webcams without separate settings panel, try to set the webcam to fully automatic. Although the webcam will be somewhat slower, the result will be better. Especially people with cmos type webcams: care for sufficient environmental light! If you can find and afford a CCD based webcam which has also high quality glass optics, those are the best: Faster, sharper and more light sensitive! Tips for better webcam settings

Mebeam is © Ashod Apakian.
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