OT:Need to find a video chat with high quality. Little help?

[blakepro]

Okay, as most of you know, I live in Alaska. Some of you may also know that my wife and I recently had our first baby.

Well, we are the only ones in our family (both sides of the family) that live in Alaska. Naturally, our families want to see our baby and while we post pictures and videos to facebook quite frequently, they really like online video chat with webcams the best.

Problem is, they always complain about the quality of the picture. I know my webcam is capable of a pretty decent image because if I just capture video or pictures to my Hard Drive its very crisp and detailed, but when we connect online to talk to family, the quality is terrible.

First off, let me say that I have a decent internet connection. 8mbps download and .5mbps upload. I know the upload speed isn't the fastest in the world, but it should be able to handle a better image.

Second: If I video chat with my brother over the Playstation 3 using the Playstation Eye, the quality is fantastic, so I know its not my internet speed. (my brother is the only one in the family with a Playstation 3 so its not the solution either)

Considering these two things, and that my webcam captures decent video to the hard drive lead me to believe its a problem with the software we are using to actually have the chats.

We were using Yahoo messenger at first, but eventually switched to Google video chat because it was marginally better and doesn't require a install. (just uses a browser plug in.)

Anyway, does anyone know of any video chat software that is capable of high quality video transmissions? It doesn't have to be HD or anything but we would like something that doesn't make everything look all blurry and have a choppy frame rate.

Also, one more thing, if possible, we would prefer to use something that doesn't cost us money every time we use it. (or a per minute charge) We are okay with purchasing software, but don't want subscription charges or whatever.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[rosacer]

Hi blakepro

Install Skype, it's free and tell all your family to install it too. Skype is use by millions of people all around the world, companies included. The voice is some times not too fast but you get used to let the time to the other to speak and all is good.

You can chat, speak, have video, send pictures and big files with Skype and even call to a real phone (that one is not free ).

Enjoy

Rosie

[Julie]

Skype is THE answer!

[blakepro]

Thanks for the suggestion Rosie, Has anyone here used Skype? I've been googling it and I'm hearing mixed reviews about the video quality.

Skype seems like a very good multifunction communication platform that has a lot of different functions, but I'm not sure if it has the video quality we are looking for.
Our parents are hoping to be able to see the subtle details of babys smile, or amusing glances he might give them.. the little things you miss out on when the picture quality isn't as sharp as it could be. I know, it sounds very picky.. we are just trying to accommodate our families as much as possible since we are so far away from everyone.

[rosacer]

I have Skype if you want you can show me your baby and I tell you if I can see his smile and all the small details.

No kidding if you want I can PM you and give you my Skype name.

I used Skype to speak with my brother in Panama and I was able to see him and the kids very clearly until my younger niece destroy the camera

Rosie

[blakepro]

I installed skype yesterday. Will try it with the in-laws tonight hopefully.

I'm hopefull because the latest version of Skype talks about how they have just recently added a high quality video mode, so here is hoping its good!

Thanks to those who responded. I still welcome any other suggestions in the mean time as well.

[mickletz]

I found OOVOO is really good and free right now anyway good luck finding one