Free Video ‘Phone Calls’ Presented to SIR Area 2 CAT by Barry Brown & Derek Southern 16 January 2014

How many people? 1:1 you have several free choices –FaceTime –Skype 1:1, 1:2 or more; free choices –TeamView/TeamMeeting (up to 25) –Google+ Hangouts (up to 10)

At Home, or Mobile Windows Mac iPhone Android Other

Software Browser based - cloud Installed on your computer

Usability Must be easy to set up Must be easy to use If more than 1:1 you need management controls eg scheduling Multi-OS is an advantage Support – documentation Video plus call-in audio

Webcam factors #1: Image sensor CCD –For high quality video –Lower video noise –More expensive than CMOS

Webcam factors -2 Definition –320x240 pixels OK for Skype –640x480 pixels OK for small video clip for uploading to YouTube –1920x1080 pixels is the highest definition –1080p or 720p?

Webcam factors -3 Sensitivity of image sensor – low sensitivity degrades video quality dramatically Microphone – noise cancelling is useful Autofocus – tracks and focuses on the face (look for OFF switch) 360° rotation or fixed For video: how many FPS? High quality usually needs >30fps

Webcam lens Glass or plastic –Plastic lens sufficient for video chatting –Glass lens for high quality output, up to broadcast quality –Glass lenses are more expensive

TeamMeeting

My Video