Video conference call

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pctong

37 posts

Geek

#28089 18-Nov-2008 13:19

Dear All

Please help. Complete Newbie here.

I am wanting to upgrade to Broadband service at home, reason being, my mother wants to see and 'talk' to the new grand daughter in Hong Kong.
My questions are:-
A. How does one go about setting up video call conference ? a freind saids something about hotmail account or skype service ?
B. Do you need a high quality web-cam for this ?
C. Orcon offer a basic 1GB broadband service, is this enough ?
D. What factors determine the amount of data needed for the call ?

Please help...

regards

Pak Tong

thatisit1

37 posts

Geek

#178658 18-Nov-2008 20:03

I use skype you can download it off www.skype.com. One gb broadband quota should be enough. No you do not need a high quality web-cam although I recommend getting one. It is free to set up. Calls do not use much quota unless you start calling consistantly - I'm not sure exactly how much quota it would use - I have 2GB and that is more than enough but be aware that it will use some of your quota even if your not using it, as long as you are logged in so try not to be logged in all the time.

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#178686 18-Nov-2008 21:22

We use Skype too, easy enough to download and set up.
We've tried most other video calling services but nothing comes close to Skype for the price (free!).

I also got my mum a cheap webcam with a built in mic so she can just sit in front of the screen and talk without headsets, earphones or anything like that.

raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#179295 21-Nov-2008 22:11

Skype is also my suggestion. We worked out 1gb of broadband data will give something like 1 hour of video confrencing. A high quality webcam would be required - at least 1.3megapixel (MP)

1) Install your webcam onto your computer. Also plug in a headset.
I find a headset is best for older people with softer voices and have hearing issues. The speaker volume vs the webcam's built in mic volume can be troublesome to get right as they interfere with each other and cause loud noises.
2) Set up your computers with broadband
3) You can download skype from www.skype.com for free.
4) Start skype program. It will ask you each to create a username and password etc.
5) Give each other your usernames that you made. Add these to your skype 'contacts' list within the skype program.
6) When your both online, and the skype software is signed in, one of you can click the other's username in the list and select call. It will then call the person and simulate a telephone. Click the video button and video will also start working during your call.

Ray Taylor

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NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#179528 23-Nov-2008 01:17

I use MSN Messenger or Skype to talk to rellys in the UK. I have found that quite often the video quality is not so good when you also run an audio link via Broadband.

One way I hjave found of improving it is to just run the webcam video connection and not the audio down the BB line, and then use your landline to make the audio call. i seem to get a much better video connection that way

Dratsab

3946 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#179549 23-Nov-2008 08:06

While I was overseas I tried using Skype to call back home but found it unreliable (probably a reflection of the country I was in more than anything else) so used Yahoo Messenger as it has voice/video capabilities and it's also free. I have never used MSN Messenger so can't comment on that.

I would suggest trying a few different apps (Skype, Yahoo, MSN - they're free so you won't lose anything except a bit of time) and settle with the one that you find most reliable. It may also be useful having the option of using more than one app as well as sometimes one may be having "issues" so you can use another.

With Skype and Yahoo (probably MSN too) you can also load credit into them to make internet to phone calls practically anywhere you want to - and the calls are very cheap.

My laptop has a built in webcam, so I brought my partner a cheap Logitech one and found the pictures that were streamed to me were very good.

And...welcome to Geekzone!

pctong

37 posts

Geek

#180701 27-Nov-2008 16:17

Thank you for all the nice reply. Thank you everybody !

KShips

153 posts

Master Geek

#181596 2-Dec-2008 15:55

Does anyone use these kinds of programs for video conferencing?

We are needing a product to conference 4 of us for video meetings and wondering if there is a product that handles this well? From what I can tell (dont have web cams yet so cannot try) most products do not allow more than 1 on 1 videos.

Cheers

Sharesies

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DS248

1697 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#181615 2-Dec-2008 17:19

We use Skype for audio or audio+video calls, or audio conference calls, mostly without problem (except where person at other end only has 128kbs uplink speed and/or ancient equipment).

BUT, AFAIK, video conference calls are not possible in Skype. If on a audio+video call and add third person to make a conference call, the video 'disconnects'.

re Webcam. Most new ones should be 'OK', but someting like the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 (2 Mp) provides much improved IQ. Unfortunately price has now jumped to ~$140+. Could be bought for closer to $100 before the NZ $ fell through the floor.

raytaylor

4017 posts

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#181647 2-Dec-2008 19:03

NonprayingMantis: I use MSN Messenger or Skype to talk to rellys in the UK. I have found that quite often the video quality is not so good when you also run an audio link via Broadband.

You can force a high video resolution in skype by editing its ini settings file in notepad. One of my clients is a kitchen machinery repair company. They have about 20 staff running around hawkes bay fixing things like commercial dishwashers. I set them all up with an eee laptop each with skype, its high res setting, a usb web cam from dse and a telecom tstick so if one of the technicians gets stuck they can phone another or the workshop and get help from another technician without the helper having to visit the site. Works well to the point you can see serial numbers on parts inside a dishwasher.

Anyhow by default, skype will try to lower the video resolution to try an achieve a smooth picture, which means if your bandwdith drops during a call, rather than freeze for a second, it will greatly lower the resolution in the stream and keep it down. If you know you have more than a 256k upload speed then you can easily force the high resolution and still be quite happy.

Just thought i would post that tidbit of knowledge if anyone is interested. Not really for a beginner.

Ray Taylor

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