If you are technology-challenged (like a few people I know) then the task of video-calling anyone can seem quite daunting, so I thought I would try to layout a step-by-step guide - making no assumptions about how much anyone knows. If you find this useful, then great !
Step 1 - The Basics
What do you need to have a video conference call ? Well the most important thing is some sort of camera and a microphone to speak into - and there are a number of options here:
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Most modern laptops have a camera (webcam) and microphone built into them, so you need do nothing except skip to the section on "sort out the software" lower down.
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Desktop computers don't come with a camera (webcam), so you need to locate one ! They come in a variety of shapes and sizes:
- The all need to be plugged into the PC or laptop (see below) - Most of these cameras have a microphone built into them (rare to have one that doesn't) - which is great. Normally a standard webcam costs around £20, but with everyone working at home during the Covid-19 crisis they have become much more expensive and hard to get hold of. |
Step 2 - Connecting the camera
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If you have a webcam - it will have a cable and a plug. This is called a "USB" plug, and you can happily plug it into any port on your computer or laptop it will fit into (computers will potentially have several "ports" you can plug it into - it doesn't matter which you use)
(I mentioned earlier that laptops have their own camera built in - that doesn't prevent you from adding an external webcam.) |
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Step 3 - Sort out the software
Once you have the camera and computer sorted out, we need to move on to the software. There are a number of options here - the over-riding factor is that you must use the same software as the person you wish to video-conference with !!
Rather than reproduce some excellent guidance notes here - I thought I would include the links to websites related to these products below:
Skype (Microsoft)
Skype has been around since 2003 and became part of Microsoft in 2011 - consequently if you have any type of account with Microsoft, then you can use that ID and password to access Skype as well. The link below is to a website with a "step by step" guide to implementing it on a PC or Laptop.
Skype can also be installed on a Smart-Phone or Tablet - by locating it in the "App Store" and installing it from there.
Skype is free to use - if you are calling another Skype user anywhere in the world. You can use it to call land-line numbers, but that does involve a cost.
Rather than reproduce some excellent guidance notes here - I thought I would include the links to websites related to these products below:
Skype (Microsoft)
Skype has been around since 2003 and became part of Microsoft in 2011 - consequently if you have any type of account with Microsoft, then you can use that ID and password to access Skype as well. The link below is to a website with a "step by step" guide to implementing it on a PC or Laptop.
Skype can also be installed on a Smart-Phone or Tablet - by locating it in the "App Store" and installing it from there.
Skype is free to use - if you are calling another Skype user anywhere in the world. You can use it to call land-line numbers, but that does involve a cost.
Zoom
Zoom was founded in 2011 and has some nice features - and is (like Skype) free for up to 100 people on a single call ! The free version does have a time limit of 40 minutes though.
Zoom is available for the PC, Laptop, Smart-phone and Tablet (the same as Skype), and I have put a link below to a nice "step by step" guide produced by the Independent in Ireland.
Zoom was founded in 2011 and has some nice features - and is (like Skype) free for up to 100 people on a single call ! The free version does have a time limit of 40 minutes though.
Zoom is available for the PC, Laptop, Smart-phone and Tablet (the same as Skype), and I have put a link below to a nice "step by step" guide produced by the Independent in Ireland.
Facebook Messenger
For all of you using facebook - you have video-conferencing (Skype in fact) "built in" and this maybe the easy way forward. It is free to use for chats with up to 50 people (should be enough for anyone !) - and it is available through whichever technology you use facebook (no install required).
For all of you using facebook - you have video-conferencing (Skype in fact) "built in" and this maybe the easy way forward. It is free to use for chats with up to 50 people (should be enough for anyone !) - and it is available through whichever technology you use facebook (no install required).
WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a messaging and video and voice conferencing system based on your mobile Smart-Phone. It is owned by Facebook and is built around your mobile phone number and if your phone is connected to your home WIFI, then any calls using WhatsApp are free (for up to 8 people chatting at once). WhatsApp uses the camera, speaker and microphone in your phone - so there is nothing you need to connect up !
WhatsApp is available for the PC/Laptop - and instructions on this are detailed by clicking on this link.
WhatsApp is a messaging and video and voice conferencing system based on your mobile Smart-Phone. It is owned by Facebook and is built around your mobile phone number and if your phone is connected to your home WIFI, then any calls using WhatsApp are free (for up to 8 people chatting at once). WhatsApp uses the camera, speaker and microphone in your phone - so there is nothing you need to connect up !
WhatsApp is available for the PC/Laptop - and instructions on this are detailed by clicking on this link.
Facetime
Facetime is exclusive to Apple products (iPhone, iPad etc) so it can be a little limiting. It is free to use (if your phone or iPad is connected to your WIFI) and as with all Apple products, it is really easy to set-up and use. You can use it to video conference with up to 32 people at once - but let me just re-iterate, they all need to be using an Apple device.
Facetime uses the camera, speaker and microphone in your iPhone or iPad - so there is nothing you need to connect up !
Facetime is exclusive to Apple products (iPhone, iPad etc) so it can be a little limiting. It is free to use (if your phone or iPad is connected to your WIFI) and as with all Apple products, it is really easy to set-up and use. You can use it to video conference with up to 32 people at once - but let me just re-iterate, they all need to be using an Apple device.
Facetime uses the camera, speaker and microphone in your iPhone or iPad - so there is nothing you need to connect up !