Web Cams and Video conferencing stuff.

[Rubber Bullets]

As my parents get increasingly elderly and as my sisters and I live at different ends of the country I am thinking of buying everyone web cams so that we can keep in touch with each other, and so that we can keep an eye on my parents.

I have zero experience of doing this, and none of us currently have web cams to my knowledge. We are all on broadband, though it's not necessarily quick for the others, they all live in the country side.

I know that MS Messenger has video messaging built in, but I hate it and won't have it on my PC, so...

Does anyone have any experience of these things? Any thing I should look for in a cheap webcam? Any recommendations? What about software?

Many thanks

RB

 

[Jonty]

Hi Rubber Bullets

Logitech probably make the best webcams, so they're a good place to start. Don't be fooled by very high resolutions, as for video conferencing you'll only need QVGA (320x240) or at best VGA (640x480). Anything higher is just nice for taking still images (it's no good for recording video as the frame rate is too slow).

Other features to look out for include face tracking (so if you move around, the camera will keep you centered in the image) and the microphone (some webcams have a built-in microphone, whereas others require a headset). The built-in ones are convenient, but sometimes a little quiet and more susceptible to picking up background noise.

The software varies a lot from manufacturer to manufacturer, but Logitech and Creative are both alright. Microsoft's webcams have minimal software, but it integrates tightly into its Live services, but you've indicated you don't like this.

In terms of compatability, most webcams will work with all the major video chatting software like Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype etc. Personally I use Windows Live and Skype with a Microsoft NX-6000 webcam and it all works perfectly (although Microsoft's software is not great).

In the past I've used Logitech webcams and they're very good. I also tried out the Creative Live! Cam Optia which I thought was also good. Avoid very cheap webcams, like Genius or some generic brand, as the audio-video quality and software will be terrible.

Kind regards

 

[Chilly]

Honestly, if parents are involved, just use one of the messinger products (MSN included). Just close it when you dont use it and it wont bother you.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Thanks guys, looks like I may have to swallow my pride and put Messenger back on

RB

 

[Milkshake]

I have a Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, and it's the dogs bollocks. Amazing picture.

 

[Jonty]

Hi Rubber Bullets

Don't worry, Windows Live Messenger isn't bad It has a lot of features and it's simple to use. Perhaps the biggest problem is it's quite resource hungry (it's sat idle on my laptop now, but still using almost 60MB of RAM) and it has quite a lot of unnecessary features. However, the latter can be remedied by using A-Patch or Mess Patch, which allow you to customize the features you want to be displayed (the catch being it's against the EULA and it breaks with every new release).

It may also be worth checking out Skype, Yahoo! Messenger etc. and seeing which you prefer. If your family isn't on any existing IM networks then you have a good choice as to which you use. Just one word of caution, I'd avoid multi-client IM apps like Trillian etc. They're great, and very convenient, but sometimes the video features don't work as well as the original applications.

Kind regards