anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

Since we're moving away from my family, my mom would like to get us all set up with Skype. She insisted it's only $13, but when I looked at the web site, the camera is actually $100 (plus monthly charges, etc.). It's not like we can't do that, but I feel bad that my dad is in for a surprise, especially since I told him I'd like to get it set up, too.

Does anyone else use Skype? Do you see any reason we can't use some other video camera with this, like the one that's already on our laptop, or a cheap one that my parents can hook up to their computer?

What a pain. I wish I were more of a techie type.

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

I am pretty sure you can use any webcam.

I have used Skype a few times but only with the headphones and microphone. It has been great so far. Have not got around to setting up the webcam yet, but am planning to soon so someone correct me if I am wrong!

[alison]

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

Dh and his mother sometime use Skype (between Germany and the US). Aside from some dropped calls, it works great. The thing is, I think it makes a lot of sense if you're calling abroad, but within the US, is there a way to all get on one cell phone carrier and use mobile-to-mobile minutes? Many times you don't "lose" minutes if you have the same carrier.

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

I don't know how it compares to Skype, but we use Windows Live Messenger for video calls to the grandparents. It's free and we have never run into problems with it. You can use any camera with Messenger.

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

I did some more digging around their web site. (They structure it so it's hard to find some of the better news about how cheap it can be.)

It sounds like if we're both set up with Skype, it really is completely free. All they would need is some type of webcam, which I suppose could be expensive. But the one on our laptop should work on our end.

We have a Mac (laptop), so I don't know if Windows Messenger would work for us. Although... our main computer is a PC, so if we got a webcam for it, we could possibly use Msgr on that one.

[Michele]

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

We have Window's Live Messenger, but my sis has a Mac laptop and they aren't compatible. She wants me to download Skype so we can use that together. I just haven't done it yet....she has WLM on her desktop, but is traveling more now. We use WLM all the time (at least 2x/wk) and love it.

[Tenacious_D]

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

We use Skype in the fam. DH's dad loves it and used it for Passover dinner so we could chat with soem family members who couldn't make it up....it was actually pretty cool to have on hand. I also use it for calls at work and with friends who don't have T-mobile.

[Vishenka69]

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

I have a Macbook and have used both Skype and iChat (same login as AOL messenger) to talk to friends overseas. The internal camera, speakers and microphone worked great. It was completely free on both programs. I was told that any kind of webcam and microphone will work.

[moonlight]

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

Skype has been my main source of communication while I lived in the Caribbean and now that I'm in the UK. I only use it for phone calls. I've never used it for web cam tho.

Re: anyone use skype? or other online video phone calls?

we use Yahoo! messenger w/our webcam. and webcams don't have to be pricey. i think dh got both of ours for $75 total.