Re: Web cams

Thanks for that information Jonathan. Your comments have made me look again at buying a headset. I was considering it, but kept putting it off. But if, as you say, audio quality is not that good from the microphone on the webcam, i think i may as well invest in a USB headset.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy, reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this mail/post..

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <msnewsreplies@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:80D95F53-761A-43F2-8C92-2B8DBC4680F3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Greetings Norman,

As John already said, the webcams come with a built-in microphone which you can use for PC to PC calls fine (you don't need to use the video part).

Personally, I refuse to use the built-in microphone in a webcam because they don't typically produce very good audio on the other side and there's even with Messenger (or competing products) echo cancellation, there's generally a bit of an echo for your contact.

If you're serious about PC to PC calls, I highly recommend you get a USB (doesn't matter the brand) headset. It's generally high quality, no echo, easy configuration that "just works".

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--


"Norman Kaye" <norman.kaye@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:4f62h.75081$6C2.71092@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Can someone clarify a point for me.
If I purchase a webcam do I need a head set similar to the one I would need to make PC to PC phone calls or does the webcam come with its own headset or other equipment. Put another way, what are the major differences between making PC to PC calls via MSN Messenger and using PC to PC webcamming.
Don't want to be spending money unnecessarily
Norman




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