Best Web Cam Software ??<SKYPE>

[Go2Guy]

Can anybody help recommend the best web cam software? I'm using Skype with my family and it really sucks; the picture is pixilated, freeze-framed and blurry. I've seen pictures from the space shuttle with better quality.

I know most cameras are only 1-MP, but still the quality has to be better. Do you suppose it's the network traffic - we both have broadband connections.

I haven't tried MSMessenger, or Yahoo software, but I'm done with the free stuff and would purchase software if it works.

 

[keepngoal]

We use Yahoo for showing off the grandkids to the grandparents. The key is lighting. The picture quality is much better if the subjects have light on them.

After that, I have had no problems with connectivity or 'freeze frames' with Yahoo. I have Qwest DSL around 7Mb... Dad has I something in CR at only 256k and it works great.

- keep.

 

[CyVeteran]

I use skype all of the type to communicate with my parents(in Iowa). We are in Florida. Most of the time it works really well. I never have problems with the video, but once in a while the audio goes out.

 

[Go2Guy]

We use Yahoo for showing off the grandkids to the grandparents. The key is lighting. The picture quality is much better if the subjects have light on them.

After that, I have had no problems with connectivity or 'freeze frames' with Yahoo. I have Qwest DSL around 7Mb... Dad has I something in CR at only 256k and it works great.

- keep.

Thanks for the info, but I'm disappointed and frustrated I can't seem to duplicate your quality. I'm pretty sure my lighting in the room is sufficient. That's amazing a dial-up connection even works.

I can't even watch someones mouth move when they talk - the picture that delayed and freeze-frame.

I give up with Skype - I guess I have to live with it.

 

[Go2Guy]

I use skype all of the type to communicate with my parents(in Iowa). We are in Florida. Most of the time it works really well. I never have problems with the video, but once in a while the audio goes out.

My parents are in South Texas (for the winter). We turn off the Skype audio because of the issues you cited, and just use our free minutes on cell phone plan.

 

[Wesley]

We use Skype to talk for free overseas to our family. Looks great. Up to 9 Million Users at a time. I use a dual core Intel chip in my computer and the other side has similar. We have Cox.

Use better lighting for the background for your camera. If it is freezing, your internet service may be the problem or your computer is too slow or their computer is too slow.

Skype sometimes bumps off, but it is real easy to re-dial up. We think it is a fine product. My library books show up fine in the background.

TIP. It shows video shots of TV picture fine. If you had to watch a Clone game and it was not on, you could have a friend Skype you the video pictures as a last resort.

 

[Go2Guy]

We use Skype to talk for free overseas to our family. Looks great. Up to 9 Million Users at a time. I use a dual core Intel chip in my computer and the opther side has similar. We have Cox.

Use better lighting for the background for your camera. If it is freezing, your internet service may be the problem or your computer isd too slow or their computer is too slow.

Skype sometimes bumps off, but it is real easy to re-dial up. We think it is a fine product. My library books show up fine in the background.

TIP. It shows video shots of TV picture fine. If you had to watch a Clone game and it was not on, you could have a friend Skype you the video pictures as a last resort.

thanks Wes - Agh, more frustration. Maybe our computers are too slow, what type of processor speed do you think is preferred (not minimal acceptable) ? We both use broadband speed, my ISP is comcast - cable modem.

 

[jumbopackage]

Skype or Gizmoproject. it really just depends. Netmeeting/MSN video seem to work well.

I can tell you that the webcam makes a huge difference. If you go to your "my computer" dealie and see if you can find your camera, and just look at what it looks like. That's the very BEST it will look like, even with a perfect protocol and network.

There's a reason why good VTC equipment costs thousands of dollars.

I can assure you that skype is just as good as any of the other protocols, so if you're running into problems with it, it's likely something either on your system or on your network (or between networks).

Things to look into if you're having video freezing issues:

High bandwidth applications running - i.e. people downloading large files, running torrents, kazaa/limewire/whatever, streaming video via netflix, things like directv on demand etc. etc. especially if it's running on the host computer. Uploading lots of stuff tends to have a far worse effect on the network than downloading, as most connections (mostly cable broadband) are asymmetric, and no matter how much down you have, if you can't send back ack packets upstream, your connection will choke and puke.

Antivirus applications - a MAJOR system hog. I run completely without AV just because it drags all my systems down, and it's largely ineffective in the first place. Try disabling it, just for troubleshooting purposes

If you're using a laptop and a wireless connection, check to be sure that you don't have any cordless 2.4ghz phones running around, or try changing channels on your wireless router.

 

[keepngoal]

have you looked at updating drivers for your webcam?

-keep