| RonC |
| (new user) |
| Fri Jan 04 2008 08:52 PM |
Webcam Connection problems
|
I have recently installed a Logitech Messenger webcam and sent an identical one to my son and family in Cyprus. Our attempts at contact via Windows Live Messenger have so far had varying results. The picture quality is good - albeit with a second or two lag - but the audio quality is unusable. There is no clear speech and a lot of feedback. I also get some 'repeating' speech from the other connection. I do get a warning message, "The network appears to be slow, which may reduce video quality" occasionally.
I have used the webcam with a friend in the UK with little or no problems. I have checked and re-checked the audio settings for the camera and Messenger both of which appear to be OK. Is this as good as it is going to get or are there some tweaks - or an alternative to MSN for contact. I did try to connect with Yahoo Messenger but as my family are on MSN this did not work.
I am using XP Home as is my family in Cyprus.
Can anyone assist please.
| RonC |
| (new user) |
| Tue Jan 08 2008 08:33 PM |
Re: Webcam Connection problems
|
I have come to the conclusion that the fault lies with a slow broadband connection speed, probably at the Cyprus end since I have no problems within the UK. I have experimented with Skype and certainly got better results than I did via Windows Messenger (within the UK). All audio settings seem to be OK here and at the other branch of the family. We will try Skype and see how it goes. I had wondered if anyone else had better success with other programmes but I will keep experimenting to see what results. Thanks.
| urbalizer |
| (new user) |
| Mon Feb 04 2008 08:05 PM |
|
Re: Webcam Connection problems
|
Who is your Internet service provider and can you do a speed test on this link http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html
The feedback you are getting is probably because one of you is using speakers, speakers and a microphone dont mix well as the mic picks up on the sound from the speakers and creates a loop.
Buying headphones will resolve this issue.
Messenger can be problematic with slow network speeds and file transfers, i would suggest that you try a dedicated video conferencing software to use at both ends, this will increase video quality.
Make sure you have set your Fps correctly in the webcan settings, need a minimum of 15 fps for decent quality, 60 fps and above will give blur free images when moving, this all depends on the quality/specification of your webcam.
If your speedtest results come back lower than 0.5mbps d/l and 0.1mbps u/l then i would contact the internet service provider and tell them you have a unnacceptable broadband speed, which no doubt they will mess you about for months before they resolve it BT and ISP's love batting you between them passing the buck.
Close any unnecesary applications that use up your bandwidth when video conferencing.
Cytanet in Cyprus are usually pretty good, so the problem is probably at the UK end with regards to broadband speed, but still need to check out the broadband speed at the cypriot end to be sure.
Make sure you have enough available ram in your computer also, you really need a minimum of 1 gig in this day and age.
Clean up your computer of all spyware etc.. using spybot S&D and avg anti spyware, i find that using these 2 manage to catch most of them, check your processes running, these can use up your available memory, if you are unfamiliar with processes then leave them alone or you can damage your computer.
Everything depends on the health of your computer.
You may have a variable line, which means on some days you can have good internet connection and on others bad, so on the days you Video conferenced with a UK party with no problems, that could have been a good speed day, so do not assume the problem is with Cyprus.
A problem at one end creates a problem for both parties.
There are many factors to take into account, but be aware that with new high spec computers at each end, fresh install of all latest software and drivers, good Broadband speed & headsets, then there would not be any problems, get yourself a friend to come round and locate the problem for you is the best solution, but i hope i have given you some insight into what the problems could be.
last thing, is be wary of windows vista you may have problems obtaining drivers for your webcam(for future reference).