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Video Messaging on Skype

VillordsutchVillordsutch
edited October 2009 in Chit chat
Quick question

Should I buy a Web-cam to speak with friends on Skype.

In the past I have never needed to hold a photo up of a friend when I am speaking to them on the phone (incase I forget who I am speaking to), however with all the current pomp with Skype should I get one to follow the herd.

Is it parp and blocky when you watch it, or is it all Hollywood and the picture looks great?

Can anyone recommend a webcam if it is worth it (prefer cheap as I need to keep the pennies saved)?

Ta
Post edited by Villordsutch on

Comments

  • urbanupstarturbanupstart
    edited October 2009
    It's great. I use it sometimes to communicate with a mate abroad. He's retired and just gets pissed all the time! It's free, so i just leave it running for an hour or so.
    One time, we both had beers and were chattin and drinking- it was almost like a virtual night at the pub putting the world to rights:-PI would never spend that long on the phone to him. The quality is very good- superior to msn videocall I think.- I would say comparable to a good youtube HQ transfer.
    I use the built in webcam and mic, so I can't help you there though.
  • JamesWJamesW
    edited October 2009
    I use video chat frequently so that my parents in the UK can talk with me and my daughter. We tend to us iChat, as we both have Macs, but they're on holiday in Cornwall at the moment, and we're using Skype as they've got a Windows laptop with them. I would say that iChat has the edge on video quality, but Skype is decent enough.

    I use a built in camera too, so I can't recommend anything. For external cameras make sure the resolution and update rate are decent enough. I think 640x480@30fps is pretty standard though.
  • VillordsutchVillordsutch
    edited October 2009
    Thanks for that.

    Will keep that info in mind when purchasing a web cam in the future. Is there a brand name I should stay clear of, or as long as the stats are the same pic any?
  • psj3809psj3809
    edited October 2009
    I use Skype at work all the time, great free tool.

    As for a webcam i'm not interested in that. I dont want to see my mates when i talk to them, quite happy hearing just their voice.

    Dont understand why people show their webcam links to strangers, just very odd. For talking to family abroad its ideal, but just chatting to a mate i dont want to see him ! We all know what webcams are really used for ! ;)
  • DarenDaren
    edited October 2009
    Yeah Skype's quite good, use it regularly to chat with my mum. The video and audio quality is usually very good, with a decent frame rate. No complaints here!
  • beanzbeanz
    edited October 2009
    I use Skype and a cheap webcam every week to talk to my parents back in England. Works great and we seldom have any issues with connection.

    Any old webcam will do...I think I paid $15 for mine.
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