Computer or Dedicated Video Phone Device

Computer or Dedicated Video Phone Device To use a computer or not is the ?rst question that needs to be addressed. If so, Windows or Mac? (Those of us who have been around a while call all computers from Apple Macs, from the highly successful Macintosh series of computers from the 1980s and '90s, even though some models go by other names now.) For around US $250 for each location that wants to participate in a video phone call, you can ?nd video call solutions that do not require a computer.You can also add the needed hardware and software to existing computers, or buy a new computer and out?t it to perform video calls. If you make the decision to use a computer, the next steps are to upgrade an existing computer if necessary or purchase a new computer. I recommend starting with a computer-based solution, since computers are readily available these days and most people have them.Though other solutions are discussed in this book, most of the video call solutions we talk about are based on using computers. Existing Computers If you and the other party with whom you will participate in video calls already have com- puters, you already have the base investment to build on. Now all you need to do is ?nd out if the PC or Mac is capable of performing video calls. The general rule of thumb is, if your computer is less than three years old, it probably can handle video call requirements. Of course, you can just try it, and if you have issues, upgrade the item that gives you problems.All that is required to out?t an existing computer to perform basic personal videoconferencing are the following: ■ A full-duplex audio card ■ A good video card capable of 1,024 x 768 24-bit colors or better ■ A Webcam ■ A combination headset/microphone or a microphone and speakers ■ Video call software The ?rst two items, the audio and video cards, are probably already in your system and good enough if they are less than ?ve years old. Most computers come with a sound card that can perform full-duplex audio, which is nothing more than the ability to send and receive audio at the same time. Most video cards installed in computers today can provide a good image for video calls.

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