Skype/Webcam

Snugster

My baby is leaving home (well 19yo) and I would like to keep in touch with Skype - Will any webcam do? They seem to range in price vastly - It doesn't have to be fancy and I don't want to use the headphone type - Any pointers or should I just buy the cheapest? (I've seen one in Wilkinsons (Texet) For £7.
TIA

davester

have you the link from Wilkinsons for the camera.

Also what computer will you be using, specifications /model/brand ??

Snugster

Sorry it doesn't seem to be on the Wilko website, I saw it in the shop.
I'm at work and can't remember the spec of my PC.
It's Hewlett Packard running Vista and has 1MB ram if that's any help?

davester

Was Vista on it from new? and I guess its a desktop system.

Snugster

davester wrote: »

Was Vista on it from new? and I guess its a desktop system.

Yes & yes.

davester

do you have a microphone? You will need a way to talk , headsets are easy to plug in. Other than suggesting an extra 1GB of RAM if you have only 1GB now, thats only to make Vista happy. But any webcam that has Vista on the specifications should work. like with all cameras you have to look at the resolution some are very poor. without knowing the model specifications of the webcam I couldnt advise on if it will be a good one or just something that is the same as the first Mobile camera phones.

Snugster

Cheers Davester I don't have a microphone but the Texet had one built in.

davester

Snugster wrote: »

Cheers Davester I don't have a microphone but the Texet had one built in.

If you can find the cam somewhere else on the net then will help, what other stores are easy to get too, Wilkinsons is not the kind of shop people associate with computers

nottseagull

[QUOTE=Snugster;361050...and_has_1MB_ram_if_that's_any_help?[/QUOTE]
1MB of ram is of no help to anyone!

Aiadi

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9753170/Microsoft-LifeCam-VX-2000-Webcam/Product.html


http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=argos&catalogId=1500002451&productId=1500801577&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fwebapp%2Fwcs%2Fstores%2Fservlet%2FProductDisplay%3FstoreId%3D10001&cmpid=COJUN&langId=-1&referrer=COJUN&storeId=10001&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674|prd%3A1546795


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6755782/Trail/searchtext%3EMIKOMI%20WEBCAM.htm?storeId=10001&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduct%2FpartNumber%2F6755782%2FTrail%2Fsearchtext%3EMIKOMI+WEBCAM.htm&jspStoreDir=argos&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674|prd%3A1546795&referrer=COJUN&cmpid=COJUN

buglawton

I bought a Microsoft Lifecam a while back - solid results and no driver issues. It has a built in microphone that delivers a 'loud' signal to the computer unlike some other mikes where you need to place them inches from mouth to get a decent result.

e.g.
Around £16 inc P&P off Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MICROSOFT-LIFECAM-VX-5500-WEBCAM-1-3MP-PHOTO-/120613277161?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_Webcams

PS the play.com one linked above by earlier poster is also a Lifecam with mic, should be fine too.