Hi there, since we are here in NJ away from all of our family and friends, I thought it'd be nice if the kids could communicate with the grandma's and other extended family via webcam. We have the equipment needed but and not sure what messenging program to use ( I guess that is what it is called). I just wanted to see if anyone else did video web cams and what you used to do so.
Thanks so much!
We first tried yahoo messenger since yahoo was common in each household but now we are doing skype! The boys and grandmas love it! My mom is coming in kind of fuzzy -- she says on her computer she looks fine, so I am not sure about that. Also on skype last night we had several lost calls, but my DH says he things it was the connection (sometimes the wireless network comes and goes. Thanks for all the input. It is so nice for my mom to read the boys books and sing songs to them!
When my husband was in Iraq we used yahoo messenger. It was easy and the kids loved seeing and talking to Dad.
T.
I use a webcam so my mom can see my daughter. It depends on which webcam you have. Most of them say right on the box which messenger program works. Usually it's either Yahoo messenger or MSN.
I have both Skype and Yahoo. The Yahoo is very slow with their video connection. Skype works really well and if you're calling another person who uses Skype the call is free. Also, it's a free download at www.skype.com
Skype is great (and free!) and works on all operating systems. Check it out here --> http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/
and if you are a mac user, iChat (which is like AOL instant messenger) is also free and SUPER easy to use. http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/ichat.html
One other option is signing up for a gmail account if you don't already have one. They recently launched onboard videochat capabilities which you can read more about here --> http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=100173
I know you have already received many responses, but I wanted to make a new suggestion as well.
I like Skype and we use it alot, but we have also used Oovoo (www.oovoo.com). There is a free version and a version that you have to pay for. The benefit of Oovoo is that you can have multiple households on the same call (think conference call!). It's been great to have our home, family in Idaho and family in Virginia all on the same call!
Have fun with it!
It looks like you have already solved your problem and had many responses, but I had to mention the one I use. I use Sightspeed.com . It is supposed to be better than skype for connections that are slower. I can't belive there were no mentions of it on the replies.
skype (www.skype.com) works really well, and so does
windows live instant messanger
We use a Logitech webcam, and Skype freeware (www.skype.com). DH and I are both computer people, but it did not take much to set it up; in fact, I just installed the webcam and then the software on my laptop on Saturday, and it was flawless! (The trick is to install the webcam software first, and install it EXACTLY AS IT SAYS - don't connect the webcam until it tells you to - and it worked on the first try.) We actually used it for about 2 hours Saturday night and then about 4 hours last night with friends of ours who moved back to Michigan this summer...it was great.
HTH
L.
If the people in your family also have cameras built into their computers, there is a free service called Skype. You just go to their website, download the software and you can make free international calls to anyone else who has also downloaded Skype. You will see them on your computer screen, and they'll see you, too.
You can use Yahoo messenger or Skype.
Personally, i prefer Skype because the voice production & video is clearer & you can enlarge the screen to the full size of your computer screen.
Since you already have the webcam & a computer, all you need to do is download the Skype or Yahoo messenger (or both) & hook up your webcam.
You may also need ear-phone with mic, if its not in-built in your computer.
Its called messaging not messenging.
All the best!
We use gmail! (Just go to www.gmail.com) It's free, and they have a new video chat that works well. And did I mention that it's free?? :)
Skype is great and free! You just download the program and your computer "calls" your friends and family. We talk to our friends in Florida on it all the time rather than pay for a phone call.
If you want live video messaging SKYPE is the best if you live where you have good bandwidth and you don't get dropped calls. I recently discovered a company that has an excellent product used a bit differently. I send emails that have video content or just audio. I can include pictures, several videos all on one easy email. Sometimes getting people live is not easy and sending video is wonderful. You can also include other favorite videos or podcasts in that email. It's been fun. Live streaming video or even your own webcast is easy. www.vmdirect.com and the new product is www.attainresponse.com I use these for personal and my business as video marketing is becoming very powerful in a highly competitive world. Connecting with customers in a more personalized way is here to stay. YouTube is getting millions of hits/day and our children for sure are used to video as away to learn as well.
Best,
C.
We use Skype and love it! It's free and very easy to set-up. We Skype my parents in Florida 3-4 times per week and it's clear and in "real time"... no lag b/w when we talk and they hear!
It's great and they have been able to watch our munchkin explore and learn new things. It's not as wonderful as living nearby, but at least they haven't missed his smile, wave and learning to crawl!
Hi
My husband and I are from the UK and all our family is there - so we use Video WebCam a lot - and it is great!
We started of using the WebCam facility with MSN Messenger, that works pretty well but can get a little busy especially at the weekend. Now we use Skype - it is a free service for the webcam and we downloaded it at www.skype.com. It is a little better quality and more reliable.
We use the WebCam for a couple of hours each weekend with my parents - we set it up and let our son play, he knows that Granny and Grandad will be on the Webcam and waves and blows them kisses. It makes the time between seeing his Grandparents a lot easier.
Have fun
we have tried all sorts of video messaging applications and found that skype works the best from a sound, picture and connection standpoint. yahoo messenger and AIM (aol) have also worked. they are all free services. good luck
Skype is the free way to go. We also post videos on Facebook for people to check at their convenience.
Hi M.,
I use a webcam to be able to talk to my dad in Florida. I use skype to communicate. It is free software.
Good luck.
J.
HI M.
We use Skype all the time. You can use it for free if the people on the other end have it on their computers too. You can call phone numbers (Where they don't have Skype) and it's incredibly cheap. If you are calling someone else with a camera so it's video-to-video you should definitely go with Skype. It's really fun. We bought cameras for both sets of grandparents this Christmas. Good luck!
P.
I live in NY and my Mom lives in Arizona. We use Skype to call her via the computer. You just go to skype.com to download whatever stuff you need. It was pretty self explanatory. In terms of the web cam, for my laptop, we bought some type of logitech camera at best buy. But newer computers, like our Imac, have a camera built in and the camera is much better. My kids love being able to talk to their Grandmother. In fact, my 5 year old can dial up on Skype herself now, so I don't even have to be around! And by the way, Skype is free...
Skype works for me. You can download it at skype.com. Good luck.
I use Skype- we also use it internationally (free!)
We use skype. It's free and really easy.
We set up messenging via skype.com. It's free to use and user friendly to install!
M.,
try to download Skype onto your computer... go to www.skype.com , it is a free download - just follow the steps on the screen... we use that to communicate with my family overseas and it works just fine and like I said - it's free..... no extra cost attached!
hope that helps..
have you tried skype?
Hi M.,
I have been a NICU nurse since 1976! I am now working in a NICU in the Atlanta area.
My family has been using webcams via AOL IM with pretty good success.
D.
SKYPE is a great program and is FREE!!!
It's call SKYPE. It's a free download and as long as both parties have a camera, the video call is FREE too. Enjoy!
M.,
My ex husband is in CA so my son calls via web cam daily.
We downloaded Skype. It is a freeservice and so far has workedvery well for us.
Good luck.
N.
We use skype and have recommended it to lots of friends. It's free and easy to use. Good luck.
hi M.,
so i see that everybody already told you...yeah SKYPE!!! It is great!
Another option is a video phone, which runs through your high speed internet. You can also take it with you when you travel & use as a digital photo frame. Also much cheaper than traditional landlines. If you'd like more info, let me know ____@____.com.
I use both Skype and gmail - both are excellenr!
