How to Create a Chat Room With Video

Video chat room

An online chat room is a popular way of instant messaging in real time with several people at once because it costs nothing, and users may enter or leave at any time. Adding video allows participants to see each other. The easiest way to implement this is to use a video chat site like Tinychat.

Things You'll Need

• Internet camera
• optional headphones
• optional microphone
• Chat website like Tinychat

Instructions

1. Make sure your video camera is functioning by activating its software. If you want to use audio, activate your microphone.

2. 

   Browse the Tinychat website. (See below in References.)

3. 

   Enter a descriptive name for your chat room and click the "Create Your Room" button. A "Nickname" dialogue appears.

4. 

   Type in your nickname and click the "Enter" button. The "Room Starter" dialogue appears. Enter a topic, such as a question. Then choose how you want to share the room and whether to "Tweet" (broadcast on Twitter) the address for this room. Click the "Done" button. The Chat Room appears.

5. 

   Click the "Start Broadcasting" button to display the "Select Your Camera" dialogue. A pop-up asks for confirmation. Click the "Allow" button and the pop-up disappears.

6. 

   Click the thumbnail of the camera you want to use. (That thumbnail should be broadcasting your current images.) The "Microphone" dialogue appears.

7. 

   Choose the microphone you want to use and then click on the "All Done" button. Your video now appears in the chat room.

8. 

   Invite your friends to the chat room by clicking the "Invite Your Friends" dialogue. You can then use Twitter, Facebook or Myspace to send an invitation. You can also email them the URL to your room. As they join the conversation, their videos appear on-screen. If you made your chat room public during the setup, other participants may also appear.

9. Communicate with other users by typing in messages or by talking on the microphone.

Tips & Warnings

• For the best camera image and the fastest frame rate, light yourself brightly and evenly. Encourage other users to do the same. To minimize echos during audio chats, turn off your speakers and use headphones. Note that the button on the upper left of the chat room allows you to stop and start video and audio, adjust settings, and record video.

References

• Tinychat