Video conferencing is something we are using more and more. It assists us to meet with clients for whom distance or time make a face to face meeting difficult.
While we have explored some very sophisticated (and very expensive) options, we have concluded that the best value for money video conferencing is available using the internet and a desktop PC or laptop computer. This gives clients the opportunity to meet with us without having to leave their workplace or home. This means no travel time, waiting time, missed appointments, etc - even for clients who live or work just around the corner.
While we have explored some very sophisticated (and very expensive) options, we have concluded that the best value for money video conferencing is available using the internet and a desktop PC or laptop computer. This gives clients the opportunity to meet with us without having to leave their workplace or home. This means no travel time, waiting time, missed appointments, etc - even for clients who live or work just around the corner.
What You Need
There are two things that you need to use video conferencing. They are:
This page gives you instructions on how to obtain and install each of these.
This page gives you instructions on how to obtain and install each of these.
1. A web camera;
2. A software system.
2. A software system.
Installing Your Webcam
Webcams can be purchased from any reputable electronics store. The top of the range camera is about $100. It comes with a CD which is used to install the camera and the software on your PC.
So, installing the camera really requires little more than you purchasing the camera and then popping the CD into your computer.
If you are having trouble obtaining a camera, please let us know and we will send you one at cost.
So, installing the camera really requires little more than you purchasing the camera and then popping the CD into your computer.
If you are having trouble obtaining a camera, please let us know and we will send you one at cost.
Registering with Skype
We prefer to use a software package called Skype to facilitate internet video-based conferencing. This is a free software that can be installed on your system following this simple process:
First, you need the right computer system. This involves:
First, you need the right computer system. This involves:
Click this link to access
this free service.
this free service.
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System Requirements
PC running Windows 2000 or XP. (Windows 2000 users require DirectX 9.0 for video calls).
Internet connection (broadband is best, GPRS is not supported for voice calls, and results may vary on a satellite connection)
Speakers and microphone built-in or separate.
A webcam, if you want to make video calls.
We also recommend that you have at least 400 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM and 15 MB free disk space on your hard drive.
Internet connection (broadband is best, GPRS is not supported for voice calls, and results may vary on a satellite connection)
Speakers and microphone built-in or separate.
A webcam, if you want to make video calls.
We also recommend that you have at least 400 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM and 15 MB free disk space on your hard drive.
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