How to Do a Video Conference Call
Skype offers free, online video-conferencing between Skype users on the computer, mobile devices and Skype-enabled televisions. To get Skype, first download the free Skype software on your computer. Install the Skype software and create a Skype account. To use video conferencing, you need a working Web camera, either built-in on your computer or plugged-in as a separate device. In addition, you also need a working microphone and speakers, or a headphone with built-in microphone.
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Instructions
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Primary Instructions
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Launch the Skype application from your desktop.
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Sign in to Skype with your username and password.
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Scroll through the list of Skype contacts with a green arrow; click on the contact you want to communicate with in the video conference. The green arrow next to a contact means that the contact is available to chat. The chosen contact will appear on the right side of the screen.
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Click on the "Video Call" button, to initiate a video conference. You will hear a ringing phone while your Contact picks up the Skype call. When your Contact answers, his video will appear above yours, and you can begin conferencing.
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Click on the "Full Screen" button above your contact's video, to view the conference in full screen.
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Click on the "End Call" button, to end the conference.
How to Add a New Skype Contact
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If you do not yet have a Skype Contact, click on the "Contacts" menu item, followed by "Add a New Contact" sub-menu item. An "Add a Contact" screen will appear.
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Enter the Skype name of your potential contact in the "Skype Name" text box, if you know it.
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Otherwise, enter the full name of your Skype contact in the "Full Name" text box. If the contact exists in the Skype database, you will see a message indicating the number of matches found. If there is more than one match, you have the option to view the matches by clicking on the "View" button next to the message. If you find the exact match, the contact name and picture will appear on the bottom. Otherwise, you will get an error message next to the text box saying "No matches found. Try entering other details instead."
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Click on "Add," to add the new contact to your contacts list.
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Tips & Warnings
Before making your Skype video conference call, make a free test call to check your audio and video equipment.
Set your privacy settings within your Skype application, if you only want people in your Contacts list to contact you and not any random Skype user. You can also block certain Skype contacts from contacting you.
Resources
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