I have a webcam optimized for low-light video chatting and i don't know how to use it can someone help me?

Whether your holding a video business conference, having a personal video chat with a friend or recording video with your laptop webcam, image clarity plays a huge factor in the quality of the video.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the image quality, including available lighting and screen resolution settings.

Adjust your webcam settings, such as brightness contrast, hue and saturation to accommodate the lighting in the room. In order to access your webcam settings, click on "Start" and open the "Control Panel."

Choose "Hardware" and then choose your internal webcam from the hardware menu.

Select the "Properties" tab to open the setting controls and slide each bar until you achieve the ideal visual settings for your broadcast.

Increase the available lighting behind you when conducting a webcam chat, but do not increase the lighting close to the webcam.

A lack of back lighting not only creates a darker image projection, but can cause graininess. Too much light close to the webcam can blanch the image, making it difficult to see.

Adjust your screen resolution.

When the image quality is blurred and distorted during a webcam broadcast, lowering your resolution can sharpen the image projection.

To lower your resolution, right-click on your desktop and click "Properties." Choose "Screen Resolution," from the available prompts.

Lower the screen resolution one step below where it is currently set and test the image quality.

If it needs further sharpening, repeat the process until you achieve the desired clarity.

Adjust settings in the video chat program you are using.

For example, if you are using Skype, select "Tools" and click on the "Video" icon in the left toolbar.

Select "Webcam Settings" and adjust your visual and camera function settings, such as the hue and saturation, as well as lighting compensation.

Test your bandwidth settings.

If the traffic on your network is high, and multiple users are sharing the same Internet connection, it can affect your bandwidth and lower the quality of your video projection.

In order to conduct a quality video session, you should have minimum bandwidth connection of 128 kbps.

To check your bandwidth, visit an online test site like SpeedTest and run a bandwidth check.

Dust off the lens to free dust particles with an air can.

Dust particles can cloud the clarity, but you don't want to wipe them away with your fingers or a rough cloth.

Blasting the lens with a burst of canned air will blow away debris and help improve picture clarity.

Hope this helps

Its is very hard to setup low-light for video chatting if you don´t have a webcam that have a good sensor, i would personal get the logitech c920 hd pro, i own one and its good for low-light.

Hi,
The WebCam Companion 3 may be used for the following activities:

Photo and Video Capturing
Smart Video Enhancement
Pose Detection
Masking your photos
Editing Snapshots
Managing Albums
Intelligent Video Surveillance

As you can see this application enables you to utilize your Web Camera for a wide variety of picture and video functionality.
In order to chat with someone, you may please use any web based chat and IM utilities (Eg. Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, Skype etc.)

I will look forward to your feedback.

How does a webcam work?There are two different ways to use a webcam at home — through e-mail and with instant messaging programs.
E-mail your video filesTouse a webcam with e-mail, first launch the software that comes with thecamera. Depending on the model, the process of e-mailing and recordingyour video messages may vary. Press Start or Record to begin the videomessage. Click Stop and then preview the video. You can then clickE-mail or Send, which will automatically open your default e-mailprogram (Outlook 2007).
When sending a video e-mail, the longerthe video message recorded, the bigger the attachment will be, so makesure the recipient’s computer can handle the size. The recipient of thee-mail does not need special software to see your video message; he orshe simply chooses to open the attachment and the mini-movie will play.
Instant MessagingA popular way to chat with webcams is in “real-time” with instant messaging programs such as Windows Live Messenger. Note that both ends must have a webcam to chat visually.
Duringa chat, there will be an option to start the webcam right on thescreen, or under the Options or Tools pull-down menu. In Windows LiveMessenger, click Actions > Video > Start a video chat. If youhappen to have a Microsoft LifeCam, starting a video chat is eveneasier.
The Windows Live Call button is similar to speed-dialingon your phone. Pressing the Call Button — located at the top of theLifeCam — will automatically bring up your buddy list, showing youwhich contacts are online. Simply pick one and start your video chat.
Youcan also blog your webcam photos. For example, the LifeCam one-touchblogging feature allows you to take a still photograph with yourLifeCam and post it directly to your Windows Live Space blog. Instantshow and tell, if you will.
To show off your favourite webcam pics, head to the Windows Live Spaces homepage, click Create your space, and start expressing yourself!
Helpful hintsBefore you start using your webcam, follow these tips on security, operation and webcam etiquette.

• It’s highly unlikely — but not impossible — that someone would try tohack into your webcam to tap into the conversation or use the webcam tospy on you, says Payette. Sending recorded video messages via e-mail ismore secure than real-time Internet chatting.
• Here’s alittle-known fact about some webcams: the user has the option to turnon a motion sensor function that transforms the device into a “nannycam” so it’ll begin recording once it senses movement.
• Don’t expect terrific video quality. It’s often possible to adjust theresolution by toying with the webcam’s software settings. But thehigher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates.
• Some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio, so check before buying.
• Adjust your camera’s focus, point it towards your face and, mostimportantly, look right into the “eye” of the webcam so your friends onthe other end see more than just your forehead.
• Webcam netiquette and dress are just like real-life: be polite, be courteous, and wear something casual but presentable.

Well, it's very easy for you to use a web camera. First you have to decide how do you want to use it.. means you can use it for video chatting through Paltalk, Yahoo messenger, MSN messenger, Skype etc. For video chat you will need to install it in your PC.

To install first connect the web cam with PC. Insert the installation CD in CD/DVD-ROM, run Setup.exe and install it. Once setup is successfully completed you may need to restart the PC.

Now open and sign in your chat client (MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, Gtalk messenger, AOL etc.) For example: If you want to start share your web cam in Yahoo messenger, just Login with your ID and password....click on Messenger choose option My Webcam.One warning message will appear...click OK....your webcam will start....Now if you want to invite someone to view your webcam, simply click on his/her ID and open IM window....click on Actions, choose More Actions from down of the list....and click on Invite to view my webcam....if he/she accepts your invitation...he/she will able to see you....again if you want to see someone who having Webcam....open the IM window by clicking his/her ID.... follow option Actions > More Actions and click on View webcam....yahoo will send the request to him/her...if he/she accept your request....you will able to see him/her....

For MSN messenger....sign in to your messenger and click on Actions and from list choose option Video and click on Show my webcam to view your webcam to others from your contact list.....or click on Start a video call to start video chat.....

To see others webcam click on View a contact's webcam....if the person accept your webcam....you will able to see his/her webcam....

Same to other chat client too...just little different in options....

I think you can get it easily...

For further help please be with us.
Thanks for joining Fixya community...
All the best

It sounds like your webcam software is hanging on to a program somewhere, and the chat program thinks its already in use.
This is unusual, insomuch that the webcam continues to transmit - almost as if its being forced by another program.
I always disconnect and re-connect the webcam to reboot it before going into chat, but its never had the light on.
Have a good scan of your programs to ensure you have no redundant webcam software creating conflicts.
I would suggest you uninstall the software - disconnect the webcam and install new software

http://www.dynexproducts.com/pc-692-10-dynex-13mp-web-cam.aspx

check the settings in your camera and in AIM to makem. sure it has permission to access the camera on your syste

There is option somewher in your messenger
that asks you to give the other person permission.
Could possibly be somewhere in the chat box when you open that.
I don't go on chat so I can't tell you exactly where but it is there.
Open your chat box and try in there first.Should say tools video or options.
Hope this helps.

I could help but would have to get on Skype and talk you through it. Its not difficaut but helps to have someone to talk you through the setup. Bud

Many factors can affect the image quality of your pictures. If you are experiencing blurry images, please try adjusting the focus ring located around the lens. This will allow you to focus the camera image on objects at different distances. Also, make sure there is good lighting. Improving the lighting conditions can improve the image quality considerably.
Connection Issues:
If the image quality is poor while transmitting video over the Internet using video enabled programs such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo! or AOL Instant Messenger, your connection speed to the Internet directly affects the image quality of the transmitted video. Corporate LAN, DSL/cable modem connections will result in the best image quality experience, while dial-up connections may result in choppy and overall poor quality because of the slower connection speed. Even broadband connections such as DSL/cable modem may experience choppy video at times because of Internet traffic or slow upload speeds. If the image appears clearly in the camera software, most likely your Internet connection may be responsible for the poor image quality in your video program.
Changing Display Adapter Settings:
If you are still experiencing a distorted, fuzzy or grainy image, you may need to change the settings for your display adapter. For optimal image quality, please make sure the video display adapter is set to display at least 16-bit high color or higher. To change the color palette please perform the following steps:

1. Click on "Start," "Settings," and "Control Panel."
2. Double-click on the Display icon.
3. Click on the tab labeled Settings.
4. In the dialog box labeled Color Palette, verify the video mode is set to 16-bit (high color) or 24-bit (true color).
5. Also, check with the manufacturer of the video card for updated video drivers.

Low Light Boost:
If you cannot do anything to improve the lighting situation, some Logitech video cameras have an option for "Low Light Boost." If there is an option for "Low Light Boost," try enabling the "Low Light Boost" in the QuickCam software. To do this:

1. Open the QuickCam software.
2. At the bottom right hand corner of the camera image box, click on the arrow next to the QuickCam icon.
3. Choose "Advanced Camera Settings".
4. Under the Image Enhancement box, place a check mark in the "Low Light Boost" option.
5. If that does not improve the image quality, try adjusting the other image settings, such as contrast, saturation brightness, gain and white balance.
6. Click OK when your are done.