Keep in Touch: Setting Up a Webcam

Keeping in touch face-to-face with family, co-workers and friends is not easy. So we often fall back on communicating by phone and e-mail. But there's a better way: video chat. It's easy and virtually free!

When you video chat via your computer across the Internet, you can see and hear the people at the other end, and they can see and hear you -- live! It doesn't matter whether they are next door, or on the other side of the world. In this article, I show you how to do it using instant messaging and an inexpensive webcam.

What is Instant Messaging & video chat?

Instant Messaging (IM) is the ability to use your computer to quickly connect with someone, and type a text-based "conversation" over the Internet (and sometimes via a mobile phone). Video chat adds live pictures and sound to IM, creating your own private two-way TV show. With a computer and inexpensive webcam, you and the other party can see and hear each other. You can do this from a desktop computer, or even from a laptop so you can keep in touch while on the road, from almost anyplace in the world.

What gear do you need?

The type of computer does not matter. A Windows PC running XP or Vista can have video chats with an Apple Macintosh runnong OS X. You need a typical home or office broadband (cable or DSL) Internet connection, because video and voice don't work well with a slow connection.

The main extras you need are a "web" camera and a microphone. A variety of Windows PCs and laptops have camera and microphones built in. If you have a late-model Apple iMac desktop computer or a MacBook laptop, the camera and microphone are built in (the camera is in the top bezel of the display).

If you don't have a built-in camera, don't worry. You can buy an external "webcam" (as they are commonly called) at computer or office supply stores. One benefit of an external camera is you can aim it wherever you wish to show whatever you want, including at a group of people, out the window, or at a new gift, outfit, pet or family member. This is more difficult when the camera is built into the computer. Usually the webcam is packaged with a microphone/earphone headset. Webcams come in many shapes and sizes. For example, the pictures show a ball-shaped camera that sits on top of your monitor, and a laptop with a built-in camera (arrow).

While camera makers brag about all their features, the main camera feature that matters is image quality; the sharper the picture, the higher the price (though software, your IM service, and your Internet connection also affect quality). A webcam with 1.3mp (mega pixels) or 640x480 image size is usually sufficient. While you can pay more than $100 for extra features, several useful camera/headset combinations are $50 or less.

External webcams usually cameras connect via a cable to your computer's USB port, similar to your keyboard or mouse. Be sure to following the webcam instructions step-by-step, because they usually have you run the installation CD before you connect the camera, to ensure that the PC uses the correct software.

Both parties must use the same online instant messaging or telecommunication service. The good news is, the most popular services are free, such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo Messenger, Apple iChat, or several others. So, once you have the necessary gear and connection, there is generally no cost to using video chat (unless your Internet service happens to charge by usage, which very few do).

Once you have the gear installed, you need to install the video chat software. It is provided by the online instant messaging service you use, and usually installed simply by clicking on a a link.

It is important that you select the same instant messaging service as the persons to whom you want to connect. You can use more than one messaging system if you need to chat with people who use different systems.

AOL Instant Messenger, known as AIM (http://www.aim.com), is the most popular service, followed closely by Yahoo Messenger (http://:messenger.yahoo.com). Both can be used by Windows and Mac users.

Apple iChat (http://www.apple.com/ichat) is available exclusively for Macintosh computers (and comes pre-installed on all Macs), but it can connect with AIM users as well as to subscribers of Apple's .Mac service.

Several other instant messaging and telecommunications services can do video chat, including services from Microsoft, Skype, Google, and more. But there's no reason to use a service unless your family and friends do too, and chances are, they use AIM or Yahoo.

Setting up AIM for Windows or Mac

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is available for both Windows and Mac, though on a Mac I recommend you use the compatible iChat. Download the current version of AIM software from http://www.aim.com. AIM version 6.1 is the current version, but if you want to communicate with someone who uses iChat, you might have better results using the older Classic AIM 5.9. You must have an AOL account to use AIM, so while it is downloading, sign up if you need one. If you are an AOL subscriber you can use your existing profile with AIM.

When the download is complete, run the program, usually called "Install_AIM" (or similar) most likely via a link on your desktop. You can elect to install additional items, such as toolbars, during this installation process, but they are not necessary and can junk up your computer. If you will be using AIM exclusively, let the installer set AIM as the primary instant messaging program. As the installation finishes, it will ask you to sign-in, using your AIM account. You can set AIM to start when Windows starts, which makes it easy for your family and friends (AIM calls them "buddies") to see that you are online and contact you.

Setting up Yahoo Messenger for Windows or Mac

Yahoo Messenger is available for both Windows and Mac. Download it from http://:messenger.yahoo.com. While it is downloading, sign up for a free Yahoo account, if you don't already have one.

On Windows, run the setup program, called something like "msgr8us.exe" which is probably on your desktop. During the installation, you can select several options, such as setting Yahoo.com to be your home page; if you don't desire these options, just say no. On a Mac you can drag the Yahoo Messenger icon into your Applications folder. From there, double-click the icon to start.

Once the installation is complete, Yahoo Messenger will automatically start. Enter your account info, and you are ready to go. On the first screen you have the option for Yahoo Messenger to remember your password, or to sign in automatically when you start your computer.

Setting up iChat for Macintosh

Apple's iChat software comes pre-installed on all Macs, so there is nothing to download or install. You can go to AIM (http://www.aim.com) to get a free account, or sign up for the paid .Mac service (http://www.mac.com), which gives you a number of additional benefits. Once you have an account, open iChat. If this is the first time, you'll enter requested information.

You can have more than one iChat account (such as personal and business); on the iChat menu go to Preferences >> Accounts. You can have iChat store your password, and choose which account to use when the program starts.

To have iChat start when you turn on your computer, select System Preferences >> Accounts >> Login Items tab. Click the plus-sign button below the list of items, select iChat, which will be added to the that are automatically opened.

Who's your buddy?

After you have the software installed, you're ready to make contact! IM/chat software shows a main window, a list of people you have entered as potential chat buddies, and whether they are currently online and available to chat with you. To add someone to your buddy list, click on the new contact icon. The pictures show two examples IBM screens.

On the add a person/contact/buddy screen, enter the person's exact user name, buddy name, screen name, or whatever it is called. Like e-mail addresses, an instant messaging user name is often cute, cryptic or peculiar -- but it's theirs!

Make the connection

Once a person is on the list, you can see whether the buddy is available or offline. To start a chat session, double-click the name of an available person. A box will open where you can start sending them typed messages and read what they type back.

Tip: It is good etiquette to begin with a text chat before jumping into a video session.

Luckily, your camera doesn't go online until you decide to start a video chat. Usually the other party's camera doesn't go on until and unless the other person agrees to video chat with you. The point is that each party controls their own camera, so don't worry about a wardrobe malfunction.
After you start the text chat, click the camera or video icon or word. Depending on the software it might be next to the buddy's name, or by right-clicking the buddy's name, or in the main buddy list window or menu. If you are using AIM or iChat, once the other person accepts your invitation, you will immediately see and hear them.

However, Yahoo Messenger starts a one-way video; it's up to the other person to elect to see you. Yahoo does not automatically transmit audio, but on a Windows computer you can take an extra step to initiate a PC-to-PC call, or stick to typing text.

At this point, you're on -- chat! The video chat services let you send text messages, and even send files, during the video session. This way, you can share pictures or other documents during the conversation.

Alternatives

Some IM and telecommunication services do video chat, but add their own unique features.

Skype (http://www.skype.com) lets you make voice phone calls to other Skype users, and even to standard telephone numbers around the world, replacing long-distance service. You can buy special Skype-capable telephones or use your computer with a headset. Connections to other Skype users are free (including conference calls), but calls to and from regular telephone numbers carry costs, though often quite low compared with standard telephone service.

Google Talk (http://www.google.com/talk) can run in your Web browser or as a stand-alone program, and it integrates with Google Gmail.
Make it a small, instant world

With your webcam-equipped computer, you can stay in touch with family, friends, even business colleagues, live, with the intimacy of face-to-face meetings. And, without the hassles and costs of traveling, you can stay in touch more often!