NooB with MSN webcam - what do I need to know?

[Miklos73]

Hi All,

I have a long lost brother who lives in the UK. His wife recently recommended to me about getting a webcam. This would work out much better than just plain old emailing.
I don't know much about webcams and instant chatting on the Interweb, all I know is I have MSN on my 'puter, and things look simple enough so far...

I am waiting on receiving my web camera in the mail, but I have a microphone installed now. I'm trying to find someone who will talk to me via MSN (or whatever).
I'm just a big NOOB who just doesn't know how all this works. Are there big costs involved? Yearly subscriptions, or is it just plug in and go?

Sorry about all these silly questions, I just hope I don't get silly answers.

[Sinnthetik]

It's pretty much just plugin and go, no costs or fees, you might have to install some software that comes with your webcam but other than that MSN would usually just pick it up automatically. You will see a little webcam pic in the msn convo and u click it and select 'show my webcam' or I think theres something else 'start a video call' - either way the other person just clicks accept and few seconds later voila!

[Miklos73]

It's pretty much just plugin and go, no costs or fees, you might have to install some software that comes with your webcam but other than that MSN would usually just pick it up automatically. You will see a little webcam pic in the msn convo and u click it and select 'show my webcam' or I think theres something else 'start a video call' - either way the other person just clicks accept and few seconds later voila!

Really? Wow...I'm stoked. How come then on the Net I find that it can cost lots of money to videochat with others? I read somewhere, just now that the cost of a single video chat costs the same as the camera. I guess they are always on the lookout for a sucker.

[Sinnthetik]

I dunno where you are looking...porn sites have cams you gotta pay for.. LOL but if you are using MSN it doesn't cost anything. Heres a bit more info for you - about MSN Messenger not the porn sites :P

[CoopsOz]

If you want better quality video, download skype....it is also free. I think they have their own proprietary codec's which are a cut above the rest. Exactly the same deal as msn, accept incoming call and then click start video.

[mate]

2nd for skype