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albionmoonlight
08-01-2008, 12:53 PM
The in-laws want to buy a webcam so that they can video chat with us an see their grandson.

But they (and I) know nothing of such technology. I have a couple of quick questions.

(1) Are all web cams pretty much compatible with each other? There is no problem if they have brand X and we have brand Y, right?

(2) What are the best web chat programs to use, and does the type of program used raise any compatibility concerns?

(3) What is a good quality camera that will hold up but not break the banks. Don't really need bells and whistles. Just something that will let them see the grandkids.

Thanks a ton.
JediKooter
08-01-2008, 01:13 PM
1. Which web cam you have doesn't matter, it's the program you use to see each other that's important...which is question 2 of yours.

2. Yahoo chat should work fine. As long as both computers are able to run it. There are a bunch of chat programs out there though. Most you probably have to set up an account with them first (a lot are free).

3. Don't actually have a webcam, but, I would find one that has a built in microphone so you don't have to wear a headset or have one of those Burger King microphones you have to talk into.
gstelmack
08-01-2008, 01:29 PM
Get Yahoo accounts and whatever Logitech QuickCam you can find and you'll be set.
Passacaglia
06-21-2010, 09:55 AM
bump

I'm in the same situation as albionmoonlight. My mom got a computer with a webcam built in. I don't know what kind, but that probably doesn't matter right. So I need to get something, too. I'm looking at this one that's $7, but does anyone know if it's missing something crucial that I should have if I spent $20 or so?

Amazon.com: USB 6-LED Night Vision Web Camera for PC Laptop Notebook: Computer & Accessories (http://www.amazon.com/6-LED-Vision-Camera-Laptop-Notebook/dp/B001LJIQ32/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1277131591&sr=1-5)
DanGarion
06-21-2010, 01:02 PM
Yes she will private chat you, but you usually have to pay with a credit card.
DanGarion
06-21-2010, 01:02 PM
Didn't read question.
Doug5984
06-21-2010, 01:05 PM
Don't go to chatroulette...
Mizzou B-ball fan
06-21-2010, 01:23 PM
We use Skype for our grandkid-grandparent chats. Very easy to set up and it's free. Would recommend it to anyone.
Passacaglia
06-21-2010, 02:25 PM
bump

I'm in the same situation as albionmoonlight. My mom got a computer with a webcam built in. I don't know what kind, but that probably doesn't matter right. So I need to get something, too. I'm looking at this one that's $7, but does anyone know if it's missing something crucial that I should have if I spent $20 or so?

Amazon.com: USB 6-LED Night Vision Web Camera for PC Laptop Notebook: Computer & Accessories (http://www.amazon.com/6-LED-Vision-Camera-Laptop-Notebook/dp/B001LJIQ32/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1277131591&sr=1-5)

I figured out what that one is missing -- a microphone. Now I'm looking at this one:

Amazon.com: Flexible 5.0 Megapixel USB PC Camera Webcam with… (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M5092G/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A3KCG0NFGFK0O0)

This is 5.0 megapixels -- is that ridiculously low for a web cam? Does brand name matter?