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We list some of the basic questions with answers on the solutions we recommend so you can get up and running fast and know what some of the capabilities of the solutions are and how to best exploit their use for your needs.

Skype:

Q:  How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Windows

Q:  How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Mac

Commercial Solutions:

Q:  Are there any Commercial solutions you recommend ?

Q:  Are there any SightSpeed support sites ?

FireFox Browser Tips:

Q: Is there good starter articles for using FireFox ?

Q: How about advanced settings for FireFox ?

MSN Messenger:

Q:  I want to use MSN Messenger for Audio and Video - Do I need to do anything ?

Q:  How do I completely remove MSN Messenger to re-install ?

Q:  Can I force MSN Messenger to use Port 80 ?

Q:  Some of the functions within MSN Messenger are not working.  Do I need to open some ports on my firewall ?

Troubleshooting and Tips:

Q:  How do I test my Internet Speed ?

Q:  How fast does my Internet Connection have to be ?

Q:  Any tips for performance issues ?

Q:  Do I need to configure my firewall ?

Q:  What about lighting ?

Q:  Can I use these solutions over a Wireless connection ?

Q:  Can I use these solutions at my office behind a Firewall or Proxy server ?

PocketPC:

Q:  Can I use these solutions on a PocketPC handheld ?

Q:  How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Windows

1.  Close Skype - Make sure you have the latest version.

2.  Open "config.xml" with notepad which is found in "C:\Documents and Settings\your_windows_user_name\Application Data\Skype\your_skype_name

3.  Find <Video> and add the following 3 lines above and below your webcam entry

<Video>
     <CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight>
     <CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth>
  <Device>Quickcam Pro for Notebooks</Device>
     <Fps>25</Fps>
</Video>

It is HIGHLY recommended you use a Duo Core PC when using 640x480 video for fast frame rate.

Q:  How do I set Skype for 640x480 Video Calls for Mac

1. Close Skype - Make sure you have the latest version.

2.  Open "config.xml" which is found in ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/your_skype_name/".  Go to your Home folder, and then the Library folder, then Application Support, then Skype.

3.  Find <Video> and add the following 2 lines above your webcam entry

<Video>
      <CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth>
            <CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight>
      <Device>Built-in iSight</Device>
</Video>

It is HIGHLY recommended you use a Duo Core Mac when using 640x480 video for fast frame rate.

Q: Is there good starter articles for using FireFox ?

I found this site which has a very good beginners article on how to use FireFox.

• http://www.bytecave.net/anders/guide/Guide-SinglePage.html

Q: How about advanced settings for FireFox ?

Here is a site that discusses advanced settings to make FireFox an even faster browser.

• http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1299854/posts
• http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2005/02/04/firefox_speed_boost_tweak_tips.htm

Q:  How do I test my Internet Speed ?

There are many sites on the Internet to test your Internet connection speed, but the one I like best as it gives both Upload and Download speeds is:

• http://www.dslreports.com/stest?more=1

1. You will need Java installed in your browser for this speed test to work.  The test will work with any browswer; IE, Opera, Mozilla and Firefox.
2. Scroll down to "USA" Select any "Speakeasy.net" site and press the "Start" button and wait for the results.
3. If you have Windows XP Service 2 - you may experience problems with this site - use the one below.

We have also provided VisualWare's "MySpeed" testing application.  It gives you upload and download speeds AND tests your Voice over IP (VoIP) capability.

• http://myspeed.visualware.com/

Another speed testing application we recently discovered from Robin Good's email list.

• http://speed-test.net/

Q:  How fast does my Internet Connection have to be ?

In order for Personal Video Conferencing or Video Calls to work you should have a high-speed connection of at least 128Kbps Upload and 500Kbps download speeds.  This is a general target we tell people to shoot for or when troubleshooting for performance issues.  It will obviously work over faster connections, but may have delays over slower connections.  Do not try a Video Call over a modem.  You will not be happy with the quality and the connection will disconnect regularly.

Q:  Are there any Commercial solutions you recommend ?

There are two products that we recommend you look at and try for an all-in-one application; SightSpeed and iVisit.  They have great pricing models and do both Audio and Video in one application and has a "Works anywhere" configuration.  SightSpeed has a VERY cool Browser based option that does NOT require the other user to have the SightSpeed client and is VERY easy to use.  SightSpeed does require a VERY fast connection to work properly, so you may have mixed results.  There are new features coming out in Nov that we look forward to trying and we will continue to test and offer test calls for SightSpeed as it is clearly the BEST designed solution, just seems to have some heavy bandwidth requirements.  You can get read more about them at:

• http://www.sightspeeder.com/forum/
• http://www.ivisit.com

You can test the SightSpeed Browser option by selecting the picture in Internet Explorer 6.0 and giving us a call.

Q:  Are there any SightSpeed support sites ?

Yes, Jason hosts "SightSpeeder.com" for the SightSpeed community.  I nice site to connect and talk with SightSpeed users.  We also host two Mail lists on Yahoo and MSN that you can join as well and ask questions.

• http://www.sightspeeder.com/forum/
• Our Mail Lists

Q:  Any tips for performance issues ?

If you are using a Logitech Webcam, we recommend you disable "Full Auto Mode".  You might also try not sending picture in picture if you have the option in your solution, like SightSpeed and you might also slow your frame rate down.

Q:  Do I need to configure my firewall ?

If you are using Skype and MSN Messenger for Video Calls, you do not need to configure anything for a software or hardware router.

Q:  What about lighting ?

Lighting is important for good video quality.  Be sure to light yourself from the front and turn off all lights from behind or above you.  You may need to move you computer so that it does not have a light source behind you.  I have attached a pic from Logitech showing proper lighting.  Logitech software also allows you to control the brightness, so you may be able to improve the quality by changing the brightness as well.

Q:  Can I use these solutions over a Wireless connection ?

If you have a Wireless 802.11a,b or g home network or are in a hotel or Wireless hotspot that has Wireless high-speed Internet access you can use this solution just fine.  Make sure you have at least a 50% signal strength and the upload speed is adequate for the task.  128Kbps upload and 500Kbps download.

Q:  Can I use these solutions on a PocketPC handheld ?

Both Skype and MSN Messenger work on the PocketPC platforms.  You must use PocketPC 2003 and have a 400Mhz XScale processor and 128Meg RAM for Skype to work, so newer PocketPC's only.  Though Skype is testing a solution for non-XScale processors.  MSN Messenger will only act as an Instant Messaging client and cannot do video on a PocketPC device.

There is however a software from Microsoft Research called "MS Portrait" that can perform video on a PocketPC device over wireless.  You can get it from:

• http://research.microsoft.com/~jiangli/portrait/

Q:  I want to use MSN Messenger for Audio and Video - Do I need to do anything ?

If you are using a hardware router like those made by Linksys, DLink, Netgear and others, you will have to enable "uPnP" on the router to allow MSN Audio to work.

Q:  How do i completely remove MSN Messenger to re-install ?

If you want to uninstall MSN Messenger and remove all the saved settings, either because of issues, or due to it holding onto Proxy settings from your workplace do the following:

1. Uninstall MSN Messenger normally through the "Add or Remove Programs" Control Panel Applet
2. Launch RedEdit and delete the following Keys:
   • HKLM/Software/Microsoft/MSNMessenger
   • HKCU/Software/Microsoft/MSNMessenger

This will delete all the settings for the current user and the entire machine.  Re-Install MSN Messenger and now you have a clean install.

Q:  Can I force MSN Messenger to use Port 80 ?

This tweak no longer works with MSN Messenger 7.5.  If you want to force MSN Messenger to use Port 80 for firewall reasons, you can make a Reg Hack (warning: Hacking the registry can cause systems to become unstable):

•  Click on Start --> Run
  Type in "regedit" (without the " ) and then click OK
• Navigate through the registry editor to:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger
•  Select the "Server" key, Right click, and select "Modify"
• Change the value data to:
  gateway.messenger.hotmail.com:80
  
  This will connect MSN on port 80, the http port.

Q:  Some of the functions within MSN Messenger are not working.  Do I need to open some ports on my firewall ?

If you are using some the other functions of MSN Messenger, some ports are required to be forwarded on hardware routers like those from Linksys, Dlink, Netgear and others.  Here is a list of all known ports used for MSN Messenger:

Q:  Can I use these solutions at my office behind a Firewall or Proxy server ?

If you want to use this solution at your office, you may be able to if your network is configured to allow the use of MSN Messenger and Skype.  One thing that should be checked is if you are using a Proxy Server in your office.  If you are, you will need to specify the specific name of the Proxy Server and do not use the "Automatically Detect Settings" and do not use "Use automatic configuration script".  To find and change these settings, go to:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Select "Tools" from the Menu Bar and choose "Internet Options"
3. Select the "Connections tab and click the "LAN Setting" button
4. Under "Proxy Server" enter you actual Proxy Server name and Port.
5. Uncheck "Automatically Detect Settings" and "Use automatic configuration script"
6. Select OK twice and close Internet Explorer

MSN Messenger and Skype will now use the Proxy Server and should work if this traffic is allowed in your office.  You can play with these settings to see what combination works for your office network.  You may be able to have all three items selected as these settings are not a concern when you are not behind a company firewall like at home or a hotel.

Recommended Books:

Everything you needed to know about Personal Video Conferencing by Michael Gough.

Everything you needed to know about the popular Voice over IP / Telephony application 'Skype' by Michael Gough.