Webcam/video confrence help

[airplanedoc]

Currently I live across town from my parents, but am planning to relocate (out of the midwest) when the job market picks up. So I am thinking that it might be nice to setup a webcam at my parents house, and at my end. This way they can see the face of their favorite son once and a while. Since my parents are not the most tech savy people, but my mom has a fair command of using the internet, email etc. I thought I could set this up now while I am still avaliable to them and work the bugs out before tech support ie ME is more than a 15 min drive away.

What should I look at in terms of a camera? My parents will be using a desktop (vista). I have both a laptop (vista) and desktop (xp) if that matters. Also what software do you guys recomend?

Thx in Advance

 

[Topgumby]

My wife used a Logitech webcam to do about what you are after when I was deployed.

It came bundled with software. Some of it was bloatware, but it worked OK for her.

 

[perry]

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/6333&cl=us,en

That's the one we use at work - Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000. Works great! It clips to the top of your monitor.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/6600&cl=us,en

That is the one we use for people that want to take their cameras with them. Logitech Webcam C905. It clips to the top of a laptop or has a little stick stand for if you're in a docking station or something.

Quality is great on both.

Mom and sis setup something like this at Xmas so mom could see the grandbaby. They use Skype. They have far cheaper webcams but I haven't seen the quality.

 

[airplanedoc]

Anybody else use Skype? I have just seen it on CNN haiti coverage.

 

[Dennis]

Just get a decent webcam and use Skype. I talk to relatives all the time with video using it. Very easy to set up. I happen to have a Microsoft cam, but Logitech or any decent one will work fine.

 

[SmoovD]

My family uses Skype. We started to utilize it when my brother was heading back to Iraq. it certainly was pleasant to see his face when speaking with him. My parent are so taken with it that Skype is their preferred communication. I have to admit, it is kind of like sitting around the kitchen table at the old homestead. We normally have a cup of coffee while the whole gang interacts. It is a nice piece of software with a few glitches, but the glitches are minor and can be overlooked for the cost.

 

[pcdad]

I use the logitech 9k webcam..great for Skype or even www.oovoo.com..this site gets u better resolution than skype and upto6 people chat chat at once

 

[airplanedoc]

looks like the webcam might be settled, logitec 9K

Is there a google video chat?

 

[Luc]

I wouldn't know about google...

However, I also have a logitech webcam, works well.

I use Skype (Australia -> Canada) and I have the best results. I tried MSN but it drops a lot. Skype is clearer.

Skype to Skype is free.

 

[StillShaving]

If you only need video between 2 locations, then IM clients like MSN, Yahoo IM, AIM, Skype among others should be fine. Proving IM and voice chat as well as video and basic file transfer.

 

[funkyb]

If you only need video between 2 locations, then IM clients like MSN, Yahoo IM, AIM, Skype among others should be fine. Proving IM and voice chat as well as video and basic file transfer.

^^ Second. And don't worry too much about the webcam, just don't buy one that's too cheap and you'll be fine. You want one that has at least 1.3 megapixels or more; if it just says "VGA" it's only 320x240 which is pretty low quality and it likely has a poor update rate.

 

[airplanedoc]

I can get the Logitech 9000 for $70 with rebate, and sale price, so I figure that is what I will go with.