How to Use a PC Camera on AIM

Virtually any USB webcam works with AIM video chat features.

AOL Instant Messenger, often referred to as AIM, was first introduced in 1997 and is one of the oldest Internet chat programs in use today. While no longer the most widely used messaging application, AIM still boasts millions of loyal users. Like other messaging apps, AIM supports the use of a PC webcam for video chats. Configuring your camera to work with AIM is relatively simple and takes only a few minutes.

Instructions

Install AIM

1. Open your Web browser and navigate to the AIM website (link in Resources). Download the latest version of the AIM application and save it to your computer.

2. Click "Computer" on the Start screen, then click "Downloads" in the left navigation pane of the File Explorer window.

3. Scroll down to and double-click the AIM setup file. Accept the user license agreement, then follow the remaining prompts to install AIM on the computer. Restart the computer if prompted to do so.

Install the Webcam

1. Connect the mini-USB end of the data cable to the webcam.

2. Connect the flat end of the data cable to an empty USB port on the computer. Wait a few seconds for Windows to recognize the webcam and initialize it.

3. Insert the driver installation disc for the webcam in the optical drive if Windows prompts you for a driver. Click the "Install Driver" or "Setup" link in the installation wizard window after it displays on the screen, then follow the prompts to install the webcam driver in Windows. Restart the computer if prompted to do so.

Using the Camera with AIM

1. Launch AIM and log in with your username and password.

2. Click "New IM" in the AIM window, then select the buddy or friend with whom you want to chat using video.

3. Click the "Options" drop-down arrow and select "Start Video Call." Click "Allow" if an Adobe Flash Player Settings message box appears in the chat window, then click "Close." A "Waiting for other party to join" video screen appears in the Video Chat window. When the other party accepts the video chat request, his or her face appears in the Video Chat window.

4. Look into the webcam and speak directly at it to communicate with your friend. Adjust the sound of your friend's voice using the volume control on your computer speakers. Alternatively, click the "Settings" button in the Video Chat window, then adjust the volume using the slide control on the Sound tab.

Tips & Warnings

• Windows does not require a driver for the webcam, in most cases, as it contains built-in drivers that should work for most models. However, with some cameras, Windows may prompt you to use the installation disc that shipped with the webcam. If you don’t have the installation disc for the webcam, you can download the latest driver for the device from the manufacturer's support website.

• If you would rather use a microphone other than the one integrated into the webcam, connect it to the "Mic" or "Mic In" port on the computer before launching AIM. With the microphone connected to the PC, click the "Settings" button in the "Waiting for other party to join" window that displays, then select the microphone as the default device on the Sound tab.

• After your friend's face appears in the Video Chat window, a small thumbnail image also displays in the lower left corner of the screen showing what he sees on his screen. If the thumbnail image does not display your face, adjust the position of your webcam until it does.

• You can turn off the sound from your microphone at any time during the video chat by clicking the "Mute" button. If you click the "Mute" button, the other party cannot hear your voice or sound from your end of the conversation until you click the button again.

References

• Mashable: A Brief History of Instant Messaging
• AOL Help: How Do I Install AIM?
• AOL Help: How Do I Start an AIM Video Chat Session?
• AOL Help: Message - To Fully Use AOL Video Messenger, You Must Have a Camera Installed

Resources

• AIM: Chat, Share, Connect