How to Use a Web Camera With Instant Messenger

Most instant messengers allow users to use a webcam while chatting.

Many instant messaging programs allow users to view and share images via web camera. Once your webcam is connected to your computer, using it on an instant messenger is simply a matter of changing the settings in your messaging program of choice. If you're looking for a way to feel closer to family and friends who are far away, chatting with a webcam on an instant messenger is a free and simple way to do so.

Instructions

Yahoo! Messenger

1. Click on "Messenger" at the top of your main Yahoo! Messenger window and select "My Webcam" from the drop-down menu. This opens the "My Webcam" window so that you can see how your webcam image will appear to others.

2. Select "Actions" from the menu in the IM window of the person to whom you want to show your webcam image. Click on "Invite to View My Webcam" from the drop-down list. In some versions of Yahoo! Messenger you must first select "More Actions" to see the option for "Invite to View My Webcam."

3. Close out of the conversation window to stop sharing your webcam by clicking the red "X" at the top right of the screen or by selecting "Close" from the "Conversation" menu at the top of the IM window.

MSN Messenger

1. Click on "Tools" from the main menu in MSN Messenger and select "Audio/Video Tuning Wizard" from the drop-down box. Click "Next" to start the Wizard and preview your webcam image. The setup Wizard will continue through the audio setup options if you wish to connect a microphone as well.

2. Open a conversation window by double-clicking on the person you want to view your webcam. Click on "Actions" at the top of the IM screen, select "Audio/Video" from the drop-down menu and click on "Start a Video Conversation."

3. View your webcam image as it appears to the other person in the webcam box on the right side of your conversation screen. Adjust brightness, contrast and other visual settings for your webcam by clicking on "Tools" and selecting "Webcam Settings."

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

1. Click on "Menu" at the top of your main AIM window and select "Settings..." from the drop-down menu. Click on "Enhanced IM" on the left side of the "Settings" pop-up window.

2. Select the box next to "Video" to place a check mark in the box and select your web camera from the drop-down list next to "Camera" under "Audio & Video" on the "Enhanced IM" tab. Click "Apply" and choose "Save."

3. Open an IM conversation with the person you want to show your webcam to by double-clicking on his name. Click on the video camera icon below your buddy's avatar in the IM conversation window and select "Start a Video IM" from the drop-down list to send your friend a prompt to view your webcam.

References

• Yahoo! Messenger 8 Help Topics: How Do I Start a Webcam Conversation?
• Microsoft: How to Have a Video Conversation with MSN Messenger
• AIM Chat: What is AIM Chat?