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Looking at getting a web cam set up so retired teacher Grandma can do some remote teaching. About all I know is I need USB 2.0 and I need a camera that has a microphone. Anybody use these? Is Skype that much more convenient to sign up? I have unlimited calling with Vonage
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David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment. -
Most of the Webcams need very bright lighting to get decent frame rates. Other alternatives are to add video capture to the computer with either a USB capture dongle or a PCI video capture card and a old camcorder. If the computer already has a soundcard then a microphone can be connected through it or patch through from the camcorder. Otherwise many of the capture devices have a audio input also. The advantage is the light handling and picture quality of the camcorder and the encoding capabilities of the dongle or card.
My suggestion for best quality would be a PCI capture card.Opinions are like gas;
I don't mind hearing it, but keep it to yourself if it stinks.
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I don't know much about web cams but I use skype almost everyday. I use the "Skype Out" capability quite a bit. It allows me to make unlimited calls to the US and canada for a flat annual fee. because I make the calls through skype installed on my computer it allows me to call from either the office or home (with my computer connected via a broadband connection). Skype to Skype calls are always free I use that a bit but not as much as calling regular phone numbers.
I don't know how Vonage works so I can't compare but I quite like that I can skype from just about anywhere.There will be no parking in my shopComment
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Max,
I did a little more research last night and it will probably be the webcam. I thought about video capture and I am set up for it but the inlaws are not. The video quality is also less important than ease of use/portability. The other question I had was what to use for the actual conversation - skype, etc. I am looking hard at Windows Live - the inlaws already have .Net passports and at least for now Windows Live is free.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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I've used Video on MSN messenger, Yahoo Messenger, CUSeeMe and Netmeeting. They all work none are great. Mostly it depends on both parties having good stable high speed connections with low ping times.Opinions are like gas;
I don't mind hearing it, but keep it to yourself if it stinks.
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Another alternative is a Mac with a built-in camera, which IIRC is most of them nowadays....
g.Smit
"Be excellent to each other."
Bill & TedComment
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