Videocamera connection for video conferencing???

[Nugrl]

Hi guys, I wanted to know if you all could give me some help on connecting a regular video camera to the computer to use for video conferencing. How do I do it and what do I need? I was not sure if this was the right forum to ask this question in. If not, please point me in the right direction. : )

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nugrl on 2001-12-26 17:45:13 ]</font>

[Nugrl]

Isn't anyone going to help me here? : (

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nugrl on 2001-12-26 22:49:48 ]</font>

[frostlich]

Check out the Capture Card Winnov Videum AV PCI. It's listed under the Other section for Capture Cards. Also, check out the Tech TV website, and the http://www.winnov.com. I'm still brand new at this, so I hope this helps. (Also, ebay has these capture cards going at about $75 a pop vs. ~$199 new). That is of course if you're willing to roll the dice.

[JHebert]

What kind of capture card and video camera do you have or are you referring to?
You can do video conferencing with a generic Brooktree/Conexant 878 based capture card (like WinTV etc) using Microsoft NetMeeting or other conferencing software. You would need a video camera or camcorder with composite RCA or S-Video outputs to connect to the capture card inputs. You could probably do this with other analog capture cards too, I just used WinTV cards as an example.
It would probably be a lot easier and cheaper however to just get an inexpensive USB webcam such as those from Intel, Kodak, etc. unless you already have a video camera and capture card.
In either case don't expect great results unless you have a high speed broadband connection such as cable modem, dsl, or T1 line. Dialup connection is just too slow for good video conferencing.