E-mail, chat, & VoIP : The best IM client for webcam communication
The best IM client for webcam communication
by stoavio - 8/19/05 1:35 PMI recently purchased the Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000 for me and my girlfriend who now lives about 4 hours away. We agreed this would be a good way to keep in contact. After much time spent reading reviews on all the different cameras in our price range, I came to the conclusion that this would be best. Now I’m concerned that there isn’t a program out there that will allow us to use these cameras to their full potential. This camera is host of many notable features such as being able to take 1.3 mega-pixel images, 640x480 resolution video, 30 fps video, and the ability to adjust itself in low lighting conditions, producing a vivid image, and having high response times. I don’t want my IM messenger of choice to be the bottleneck as far as quality and responsiveness are concerned. I’ve read that Yahoo! Messenger has drastically upgraded its webcam capabilities for broadband users like myself, however it still only allows 24fps when my camera is capable of communicating 30fps, and a maximum resolution of 320x240 when my camera is capable of displaying twice that size. This really bothers me. I’d like to be able to use our cameras to their maximum potential and not half of what they’re capable of.
By the way, I’ve tried the audio out on MSN, AIM, and YIM and they’re all very sub par compared to Skype. Maybe I’ll couple Skype (for audio purposes) with something else like YIM for video.
Can someone suggest a good IM/Webcam client that will produce nothing less than clear, crisp, vivid video and sound with no delay? Does the camera come packaged with a program like this?
I need to know what my options are.
Thanks in advance,
Mason
No delay?
by R. Proffitt
- 8/19/05 1:57 PM
In reply to: The best IM client for webcam communication by stoavio
Sorry, that's part of the bargain when we push stuff over the internet.
Minimal delay
by stoavio - 8/19/05 8:06 PM In reply to: No delay? by R. Proffitt
Sure, I understand that. I may have gone slightly overboard but I think you understand what I'm after. Something that delivers a clean and crisp image with minimal delay.
Can you recommend anything?
She'll look just as good:))
by ramiller1976 - 8/22/05 12:42 PM In reply to: The best IM client for webcam communication by stoavioOk, now as i have been through the same as you, yet my SO was 9 time zones away and on a crappy pc, she still looked the same in person as she did on the webcam.
I tried MSN and Yahoo- Yahoo seemed to come out a little better. Its ben a while but Yahoo had some special booster thing you could use- look in the options for it. You both had to have it activited to use it. Made the speed higher and resolution better. I saw some wonderful things on that webcam and it seemed awful good to me 
MSN and Yahoo
by stoavio - 8/23/05 12:15 PM In reply to: She'll look just as good:)) by ramiller1976Actually I just got my cam yesterday (she still hasn't received hers) and I tried out both MSN and Yahoo. Yahoo is a pain because it's only worth using if Super Cam mode is activated. I was disappointed in Super WebCam mode because on the Yahoo website it advertises 24fps and a resolution of 320x240. That isn't exactly true. At 320x240 you get about 10fps. The only way to achieve the maxium advertised FPS is by turning down the quality and resolution of the image. I found this to be quite misleading.
MSN is nice but I'm not entirely satisfied because the audio isn't syncing up with my lip movements. There is a slight delay.
I just know there has got to be an application out there some there, free or not, that allows you to take full advantage of your camera's capabilities. So far it seems I could've gotten away with spending 25.00 on a webcam instead of the 70.00(x2) I spent on our Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000's.
-Mason
New MSN Messenger 7.5 released 8/24/2005
by glenn30 - 8/24/05 7:45 AM In reply to: MSN and Yahoo by stoavioReportedly added some security features. Installed but no experience yet.
Glenn
Upgraded
by stoavio - 8/25/05 12:12 AM In reply to: New MSN Messenger 7.5 released 8/24/2005 by glenn30I was running 7.0 and upgraded to 7.5 today. I'll give it a shot later but I highly doubt they've upgraded the cam feature because this woulud be a very notable change and would certainly be posted on their website.
If anyone has any success with other instant messengers, please post here. I'm looking for something that can transfer at least 24FPS at 220x240 resolution. Yahoo Super Webcam is only capable of transfering 10FPS at that resolution, which in my opnion is pretty weak.
A lil info....
by Terp - 8/26/05 5:53 AM In reply to: Correcting typos* by stoavioHi,
While I do not have a clue about the technical aspect of this, I do have a little insight that MAY help if you haven't tried it. I use MSN almost always and have found that if I go under actions, and then under more, then choose ''start a video conference'' you get a better picture and there is no lag in the pic or sound. Not sure if you have tried this, or if it meets the specs you are looking for, but thought I would throw it out just in case.
Good luck!
A
if it;s still around
by mngmikes - 8/26/05 6:03 AM In reply to: A lil info.... by Terpa while back i went thru the same thing you are we used paltalk... we would make a password protected room and go in it.. it has decent sound and about the best video i've ever tryed. you may want to check it out?
Paltalk
by stoavio - 8/26/05 11:43 AM In reply to: if it;s still around by mngmikesI read about Paltalk and meant to give it a whirl but totally forgot. I'll test it out tonight and post my results back here.
Thanks!
Thanks
by stoavio - 8/26/05 11:42 AM In reply to: A lil info.... by TerpThis is what I've been using. I appreciate your input
IM for webcam
by srnkaufman - 8/26/05 8:37 AM In reply to: The best IM client for webcam communication by stoavioMy husband is in iraq, and we've been using plain ol' Yahoo IM for a year, with 50.00 Creative Cam on my end. Minimal delay, and the camera he has access to over there is about the same quality. I've been very happy with this system (though i'm happy to see him regardless of the quality!) The audio we seem to have problems with, but that's mainly due to his location.
A possible solution to your audio woes
by stoavio - 8/26/05 11:47 AM In reply to: IM for webcam by srnkaufmanI think skype is the application that would resolve your audio issue. I'll go ahead and throw that out here in hopes that you'll return to this discussion but if you don't I'll try contacting you directly. Skype far surpasses MSN, AIM, Yahoo and any other messenger out there as far as audio is concerned. It's even better than phone quality.
You can download skype free of charge at www.skype.com. It's free to make PC-to-PC phone calls but requires you to deposit money if you'd like to use it as a regular telephone service (Skype Out).
Good luck. Thanks for your input.
Google Talk
by rbmeek - 8/26/05 3:28 PM In reply to: The best IM client for webcam communication by stoavioThe early word on Google Talk is that it far surpasses anything out there. It's far too soon to know if there are issues but.....a)it's free and b)it's google. They do have a reputation for quality stuff.
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