How to configure video calls with Xten eyeBeam through Asterisk

Xten eyeBeam is one of a few SIP soft-video-phones on the market. Starting with release 1.1 3004t (16741), video calls work well with Asterisk HEAD 02/25/2005.

• Update: Asterisk CVS HEAD 03/05/2005 now supports pass-thru video calls with h.263p codec between eyeBeams (potentially other video clients supporting H.263+).

General configuration

See a good section here for configuring Xten X-lite, which is similar.

Video Configuration

in your sip.conf:

[general]
videosupport=yes ; enable Asterisk video support

[101]
type=friend
username=101
secret=hidden
host=dynamic
context=internal
callerid=Video Phone <101>
disallow=all ; better for custom-tunning codec selection
allow=ulaw
allow=alaw
allow=gsm
allow=h263 ; H.263 is our video codec
allow=h263p ; H.263p is the enhanced video codec
dtmfmode=rfc2833 ; inband is not supported in compressed codecs like gsm, so we better set it to rfc2833
canreinvite=no ; canreinvite must be set to 'no'

TrixBox

There is a slight difference in configuring video conferencing working for TrixBox and it is as follows:

in your sip.conf:

[general]
videosupport=yes ; enable Asterisk video support

in your sip_additional.conf, (same as above):

[101]
type=friend
username=101
secret=hidden
host=dynamic
context=internal
callerid=Video Phone <101>
disallow=all ; better for custom-tunning codec selection
allow=ulaw
allow=alaw
allow=gsm
allow=h263 ; H.263 is our video codec
allow=h263p ; H.263p is the enhanced video codec
dtmfmode=rfc2833 ; inband is not supported in compressed codecs like gsm, so we better set it to rfc2833
canreinvite=no ; canreinvite must be set to 'no'

By doing this you will find that video conferencing works for both extensions whereas if you implemented the above configuration you would find one or both extensions are unable to send or receive video. By inserting the above script in the sip_additional.conf file you will see that the extensions you enter will appear in FreePBX/AMP along with your other extensions.

Other prep

1. Download the latest release eyeBeam 1.11 3004w. For latest news and changelog see the thread on Xten website.

Making the video-call

1. Start eyeBeam
2. Configure SIP subscription information / calibrate audio/video input.
3. Make sure phone registered ok. Also, you should see your own video in the video 'drawer.'
4. Dial another eyeBeam user.
5. Click "Start video" button (the one in upper-left corner next to the "wrench").
6. Bingo!