Webcam for VP Chat ?

[Sunshine1]

If you have choice and you plan to have VP in same place, then Either Sorenson VP or Dlink VP would be best choice. For those who don't have TV, or want portablity then cam is next choice.
You can have both if you want to.

Oh great .. then I know what to pick. Thank you so much.

 

[Boult]

Big difference!
The true advantage of Dlink VP or sorenson VP over webcam is far superior video quality, and if you want equal video quality using webcam, you have to disable the firewall on your computer which pose greater threats from hackers and viruses against your PC, while VP unit itself is meaningless to most of viruses and hackers.

The router itself, where you can set up firewall setting. If you notice DMZ feature on it, give you an idea... You know these airport security nowadays? Long line for check point right? Same concept with firewall built in routers. Using DMZ is like having airport checkpoint for all airplanes, and there is only one gate without security checkpoint so anyone can barge in that plane, so... Image that, if terrorist want the easiest way to gain access? That gate without security checkpint is most likely for terrorist to barge in. Same idea, with DMZ port it allows free flow of data in and out of that DMZ port, while the rest of the port which you connects your PC to have to go though security checkpoint.

not really, it is not required to turn firewall completely off to allow video connection to get thru. You can have firewall turned on but open ports required for HOVRS or Hamilton. In my case, I am mac user and I use iChat in Mac os X. I already have created setting in firewall to allow videochat to get thru bidirectionally. It does not slow down or choppy.

Keep in mind, I don't use router. If using router just enable firewall in PC. XP comes with firewall software built in. It will notify you that certain software is trying to get thru while attempting to use videochat then you can click "ok" to open the port.

for HOVRS, take a look at those FAQ;
https://secure.hovrs.com/cc/faq.aspx

You still can have secure connection with certains ports open required for HOVRS video chatting.

as for AIM videochat this page will tell you which port to open;
http://aimtoday.aim.com/features/main_redesign.adp?fid=video_im

 

[diehardbiker]

Keep that in mind that MAC faced far less threats with attacks than windows do. So, it won't matter to you much, but it does make difference on window platform. Im not saying that Windows is bad, just that they faced greater risk, that is all. Im speaking generally because most computers are windows based.

not really, it is not required to turn firewall completely off to allow video connection to get thru. You can have firewall turned on but open ports required for HOVRS or Hamilton. In my case, I am mac user and I use iChat in Mac os X. I already have created setting in firewall to allow videochat to get thru bidirectionally. It does not slow down or choppy.

Keep in mind, I don't use router. If using router just enable firewall in PC. XP comes with firewall software built in. It will notify you that certain software is trying to get thru while attempting to use videochat then you can click "ok" to open the port.

for HOVRS, take a look at those FAQ;
https://secure.hovrs.com/cc/faq.aspx

You still can have secure connection with certains ports open required for HOVRS video chatting.

as for AIM videochat this page will tell you which port to open;
http://aimtoday.aim.com/features/main_redesign.adp?fid=video_im

 

[Boult]

Keep that in mind that MAC faced far less threats with attacks than windows do. So, it won't matter to you much, but it does make difference on window platform. Im not saying that Windows is bad, just that they faced greater risk, that is all. Im speaking generally because most computers are windows based.

but it still is good idea to be secure. not from virus but from intrusion. mac os x is secure out of box while windows is not secure out of box. that's why we hear many stories that they got infected within hours of powering up new pc. :roll:

Anyway, It is possible to have smooth high fps video chat with firewall enabled provided that necessary ports. And provided that owner have plenty of rams, in good lighting condition, decent cpu/motherboard. Best results comes out of brand new pc that is released this year.

I highly recommend every windows user to switch to Mac. Check out leopard preview of ichat feature! it is a killer!
http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/ichat.html
iChat works great with HOVRS using HOVRSIM;
https://secure.hovrs.com/hovrsIM/hovrsIM.aspx
(notice the "Top 3 FAQ" )

 

[diehardbiker]

Yea, I am going to do another experiment. Will try Linux with cam see how well it runs. I know Linux is about the same risk as MAC faced. Your right about Windows being easily infested. I have tried my cam on my lappy with HOVRS, not bad! Still, stand alone VP is better anyway. You could have both cam and VP if you want to, who says you can't?

My lappy have built in CAM, I haven't done much experiment yet. need to learn more. Gonna work on it this coming Winter at RIT. :-D

but it still is good idea to be secure. not from virus but from intrusion. mac os x is secure out of box while windows is not secure out of box. that's why we hear many stories that they got infected within hours of powering up new pc. :roll:

Anyway, It is possible to have smooth high fps video chat with firewall enabled provided that necessary ports. And provided that owner have plenty of rams, in good lighting condition, decent cpu/motherboard. Best results comes out of brand new pc that is released this year.

I highly recommend every windows user to switch to Mac. Check out leopard preview of ichat feature! it is a killer!
Apple - Apple - Mac OS X - Leopard Sneak Peek - iChat
iChat works great with HOVRS using HOVRSIM;
https://secure.hovrs.com/hovrsIM/hovrsIM.aspx
(notice the "Top 3 FAQ" )

 

[Y]

One of my relatives is sharing with me
my own place who always use
D-Link on a 32" TV all the times
but I have PC in my own room.
I am thinking about getting
webcam for my own PC in my own room.

I wonder if it is possible if my relatives can use D-Link
chatting with someone else at the same time while
I use the Webcam chatting to a different person
at the same time at my Condo ?
Or, Do I have to wait until my Guest (or a Relative)
is finished with D-Link VP Chat first ?

 

[diehardbiker]

Good question! Actually, it all depends on the specific networking traffic, and how much upload speed limitation does this particular ISP offered? If they offered more than 500kbps upload speed then going both at same time is real possible. But if less than 500kbps upload then you will see slowdown. Remember, all ISP always offer slower uploading speed than downloading speed, meaning all the advertising speed is really downloading speed not uploading speed. I have done two VP running at same time with upload speed of 400kbps and I see some problems with them.

One of my relatives is sharing with me
my own place who always use
D-Link on a 32" TV all the times
but I have PC in my own room.
I am thinking about getting
webcam for my own PC in my own room.

I wonder if it is possible if my relatives can use D-Link
chatting with someone else at the same time while
I use the Webcam chatting to a different person
at the same time at my Condo ?
Or, Do I have to wait until my Guest (or a Relative)
is finished with D-Link VP Chat first ?

 

[Y]

Good question! Actually, it all depends on the specific networking traffic, and how much upload speed limitation does this particular ISP offered? If they offered more than 500kbps upload speed then going both at same time is real possible. But if less than 500kbps upload then you will see slowdown. Remember, all ISP always offer slower uploading speed than downloading speed, meaning all the advertising speed is really downloading speed not uploading speed. I have done two VP running at same time with upload speed of 400kbps and I see some problems with them.

Therefore I'm sure there will be some
technology improvements in the future
for "multi-VP users" under the same Roof.

 

[dkf747]

I wonder if it is possible if my relatives can use D-Link
chatting with someone else at the same time while
I use the Webcam chatting to a different person
at the same time at my Condo ?
Or, Do I have to wait until my Guest (or a Relative)
is finished with D-Link VP Chat first ?

It is possible to do this. As long as one is VP and other is webcam. There are other factors as well.

 

[FreeWoman77]

I just got back here from the Staples store
I saw Webcams for sale with different kinds
and different prices Confusing !! I cannot
tell which one is BEST for VP chat ?
Any kind of Webcam is no matter at all, Right ?

I am thinking about buy Webcam
but I am NOT sure which kind of Webcam to
purchase suitable for VP Chat ?

1) Creative Live! Ultra Webcam $79.99

CCD image sensor with 640x480 (VGA) resolution
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection
Full-motion video at 30 frames per second

2) Creative WebCam Live! $49.99

Still resolution: up to 1024 x 768, Video resolution: 640 x 480
Video capture at up to 30 frames per second (fps)
Dedicated microphone for superior audio

3) Creative Webcam Live Pro $79.99
Still and video resolution: 640 x 480
Takes 1.3 Megapixel still images
Integrated, flexible base

Why not try to apply for free Webcam, Logitech 5000, from HOVRS https://secure.hovrs.com/equipment/requestform.aspx? I have one and works fine on camfrog and others so far, there's also free isight webcam for MAC as well.

 

[Y]

Why not try to apply for free Webcam, Logitech 5000, from HOVRS https://secure.hovrs.com/equipment/requestform.aspx? I have one and works fine on camfrog and others so far, there's also free isight webcam for MAC as well.

well, HOVRS refused to distribute WebCam to me
because I already have VP at the other Room.

Therefore, I think HOVRS is WRONG for "refusing" to
distribute WebCam even though I explained to them
about how much I need it for another room. Sigh.

 

[FreeWoman77]

well, HOVRS refused to distribute WebCam to me
because I already have VP at the other Room.

Therefore, I think HOVRS is WRONG for "refusing" to
distribute WebCam even though I explained to them
about how much I need it for another room. Sigh.

really? wish u apply earlier before 2 or 3 months ago they did give out but now convert whoever already have Sorenson VP they can add HOVRS.tv in their Sorenson VP :/

 

[Y]

really? wish u apply earlier before 2 or 3 months ago they did give out but now convert whoever already have Sorenson VP they can add HOVRS.tv in their Sorenson VP :/

Yeah I am NOT too happy about it at all and
it looks like I ALWAYS missed something all of my Life

 

[Y]

really? wish u apply earlier before 2 or 3 months ago they did give out but now convert whoever already have Sorenson VP they can add HOVRS.tv in their Sorenson VP :/

Yeah I am NOT too happy about it at all and
it looks like I ALWAYS missed something all of my Life

 

[diehardbiker]

Yes, some ISP offer faster uploading speed and that is one solution, however it comes with price. My isp wants over 120 dollars a month if I want upgrade to 750kbps upload speed. I wanted 750kbps because that would enable me to do three VP at same time, hence true video conference.

Therefore I'm sure there will be some
technology improvements in the future
for "multi-VP users" under the same Roof.

 

[LakeTahoe]

Me too! They turned me down because I have VP as well. UGH! What if VP is down and I need to use Web Cam. RME!

well, HOVRS refused to distribute WebCam to me
because I already have VP at the other Room.

Therefore, I think HOVRS is WRONG for "refusing" to
distribute WebCam even though I explained to them
about how much I need it for another room. Sigh.

 

[Y]

Me too! They turned me down because I have VP as well. UGH! What if VP is down and I need to use Web Cam. RME!

Exactly ! Thats why HOVRS is making a big mistake
for doing this to us. Sigh.

 

[LakeTahoe]

Yea true...sometime Sorenson can be down for upgrading or repair, how can I use VRS? So I'll use AIM relay, better than nothing. GRIN!

Exactly ! Thats why HOVRS is making a big mistake
for doing this to us. Sigh.

 

[dkf747]

well, HOVRS refused to distribute WebCam to me
because I already have VP at the other Room.

Therefore, I think HOVRS is WRONG for "refusing" to
distribute WebCam even though I explained to them
about how much I need it for another room. Sigh.

You should have told them you want to switch to their service. They won't give it out just so you can have one in anothr room.

 

[Y]

You should have told them you want to switch to their service. They won't give it out just so you can have one in anothr room.

I guess that's probably too late because
HOVRS already turned me OFF. HOVRS should
have done a better service rather than
treated me like this in the first place.
That's their Biggest Loss.

I mean it's almost like a traumatic
Bad experience with HOVRS. Therefore
I wouldn't want to deal with them
ever again.

HOVRS does owe me a Real Apology.

I will let you know IF I ever hear
from them with a real sincere apology.