web cams and mics

[lesch2k]

so i want to talk via video chat for free to a friend at school.

we'll probably talk an hour a day all summer and would be willing to pay for a phone if need be, but since we both have broadband i thought we could use some sort of web cam chat set up

any ideas?

what works well?

 

[airfoil]

Any decent webcam & mic (consider getting a headset with a microphone on it) anda Yahoo/MSN account is what each of you will need.

 

[CJP]

A headset is the best but a desktop mic works fine for voice chat or commands (like in Dragon Naturally Speaking) and is what I use. For dictation a headset is necessary I think.

I've read good things about the Sennheiser PC150. I bought a cheap set of Plantronics .Audio 90's for my laptop but I've read they're prone to breaking (especially the mic).

 

[vladbot]

You can talk through AOL Instant Messenger 5.5

 

[Hav0k99]

Any programs to chat and display video for free? I'm using my PS2's USB Camera and it looks great on a PC even under low light.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
Any programs to chat and display video for free? I'm using my PS2's USB Camera and it looks great on a PC even under low light.

NetMeeting is pretty good, and is pre-installed on W2K and XP. MSN and Windows Messenger are both pretty decent. Some people prefer YIM. There are quite a few free apps out there...