A User's Guide for Skype Video
Skype, in the company's own words, "enables the world's conversations." Skype provides a free software application that allows users to communicate by instant messaging, audio call, webcam and phone with other Skype users all over the world. The company boasts of providing 6.4 billion minutes of phone calls in the first six months of 2010, with a further 88.4 billion minutes in Skype-to-Skype communication. For the best quality out of a Skype video call, ensure that your equipment and software meet the requirements. Then follow some simple steps to contact other users via webcam.
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Skype Video Requirements
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To ensure the highest possible quality of Skype video call, make sure you have the latest version of Skype for your computer. Skype is available free on both Mac and PC (Windows and Linux). You'll need a webcam, and you'll also need to properly install the accompanying software. You need a broadband or similarly speedy and reliable connection in most cases; dial-up is usually too slow to cope with the bandwidth demands of a video call.
Skype Video Call
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To make a video call, select a contact's name from your contact list. When the contact screen appears, click the green "Video Call" button rather than "Call." Once the contact answers, both your video screens will appear in your Skype window. Change audio settings, such as volume, by clicking "Call" then "Audio Settings." You can change your video settings, such as brightness, contrast and color, directly from your webcam control panel or in Skype, by clicking "Tools," "Options," "Video Settings" and "Webcam Settings."
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Skype Video Tips
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You can combine a video call with instant messaging by clicking "Show Messages." This comes in particularly useful if you want to share links, for example. You can change the size of your contact's video by clicking and dragging the bottom right corner of the video screen. You can also use click-and-drag to resize your own video or move it around the screen.
Troubleshooting Skype Video
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If you have problems sending or receiving video through Skype, first check that both you and your contact have the latest version of Skype installed. If your webcam is not sending pictures, check your settings by clicking "Tools," "Options" and "Video Settings." Skype may not have detected your webcam, or, if you use more than one device, Skype may be set to another webcam. Select the webcam you want to use from the drop-down menu to rectify. You should also check that other applications are not using your webcam. Even if that's not the case, shut down as many other applications and software programs as possible, as they may be causing Skype to lag by draining your bandwidth and computer memory.
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References
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- Photo Credit webcam image by Régis Verger from Fotolia.com
