Those who cam, do: but which cam should you use for Skype calling?

By Stephen Pinches on November 2, 2006 in Webcams.

Sometimes the answer to a problem is right in front of you. Today on a Skype call I was trying to describe to a colleague a problem I was having with a phone, and something was getting lost in translation. In a (rare) flash of inspiration, I flicked on video, showed him the phone, and the problem went away. A picture, as they say, is better than a thousand words.

Video has been available on the last few Skype releases, but the question is: which camera will show you off to best advantage?

Several Skype-certified options are available ranging in price between around £20 and £80 (or $29.99 to $129.99 in the US, €30 and €100 in France), with a variety of features. So what's the difference?

In my opinion, the main variables with webcams are quality of moving pictures, quality of still pictures, quality of microphone, styling and size. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as comparing numbers: quality of picture is not just about the resolution of the camera (which is normally measured in megapixels and also in the amount of frames of moving picture the camera can show per second, which is normally a maximum of 30-35fps).

It is also about a number of other factors including the quality of the lens, the quality of the sensor (a good CCD sensor will generally perform better vs the cheaper CMOS sensors when there's lower ambient lighting in the room), and even the quality of the software drivers that the cam comes with. WIth cheaper cameras, VGA (ie 640x480) reoslution is achieved through the software enhancing the picture, which is generally OK, but a decent, true VGA resolution camera will almost always provide a better picture. It sounds silly but also look out for a decent length USB cable; it's quite handy being able to move the cam around easily, so if the cam of your choice comes with a short cable it might be worth investing in a USB extender cable.

There are also a number of fancy features the more expensive cams offer such as automatically tracking you if you move a lot (handy if you tend to gesticulate a lot on phone calls, or are doing web-based salsa lessons...), headsets, and special stands designed to wrap around your monitor.

So to the cams. There are a few companies who really specialise in webcams: Logitech, Creative, and AMT are three notable ones who have been Skype certified.

Good, basic webcams

SImple cams to use at home include the Logitech QuickCam Chat for Skype, styled in blue and achieving a respectable 640x480 resolution via software enhancement and 30fps, or the AMT pro|SERIES®, which packs an enhanced CMOS sensor, manages an impressive 35fps for moving images, and also comes with 60 free SkypeOut minutes. At the moment these are available 2 for the price of 1 in the Skype webstore as well, making them excellent value for money. For notebook users at this price range, the Creative Live! Cam Notebook Pro is powered by AA batteries, leaving your laptop battery to do more important things like keep Windows running, weighs just 40g, and offers true VGA resolution and 30fps.

More advanced cams

Moving up a price bracket, the Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX is a futuristic-looking jet black cam which offers true VGA, a very clear mic and a very handy blue light on top to tell you when the camera is broadcasting: handy to avoid those nasty "was the camera still on when I did that?" moments you can get when letting off steam after a heated videoconference. I've used this cam for a good few months and been very pleased with it; it's in the Skype Shop, priced at £33.45 / href="http://accessories.skype.com/item?SID=aa3c350b4a60373a174ae34d8b13163dcb5:4530&sku=961410">€49.95 /$49.99. For notebook users, the Creative Live! Ultra for notebooks (£59.95 / €89,95 / $89.95) offers a CCD sensor promising better low-light pictures, and an ultra-wide-angle tracking lens; perfect for getting more into the field of vision, or also for web chats with larger members of your family...

Top of the range

The Creative Live! Cam Voice looks a little like Johnny 5, and just like the famous robot packs a lot of features into a small body. A wide-angle glass lens and true 1.3 megapixel sensor delivering 1280x960 resolution video mean unbeatable video quality, so long as you have a fairly chunky PC which won't let it down.

Also, integrating not 1 but 2 microphones potentially means much truer reproduction of sound, especially coupled with Creative's Adaptive Array Microphone technology, which aims to only reproduce noise from the webcam's field of vision. Available for £63.95 / €64.95.

From Logitech are offering their Quickcam Orbit MP in the States, for $129.99 which has a mechanical pan and tilt to follow you around no matter where you go. This, coupled with a 1.3 megapixel sensor and software-based low light compensation mean you can run, but you can't hide. This is a high quality camera, but really does need a decent Pentium 4/Athlon PC to get the best out of it.

For notebooks users looking for a really high quality cam, the Logitech Quickcam Fusion offers a true 1.3 megapixel camera in a teensy weensy shell, including the same RightSound™ and RightLight™ technology as the Orbit MP to ensure crisp images at low light levels and excellent sound reproduction. It also has the handy blue light to let you know when the cameras are rolling, and is available for £79.95 / €99.95 / $89.99.

Whichever cam you choose make sure you take the time to set the colour and other settings within Skype to get it just right. For more information, I highly recommend checking out Bill Campbell's excellent guide to webcams and Skype from Skype Journal, as well as the Skype Forum on Webcams which carries the full lowdown on which cams work best with Skype. Also check out the more general reviews offered by the genial and very cowboy-like Cowboy Frank...

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Comments

Stephen, Thank you for running down a list of cams. However, the Skype Certified Creative Live Ultra Webcam doesn't work on either my Notebook or my Media PC. Simiarly I bought the latest (2.0 megapixel) Microsoft Webcam (approx $100) and it doesn't work with Skype.

I do have a Logitech Quickcam Fusion that works... however I'm yet to find a high quality webcam that works with my T40 1.5ghz / 1024mb memory IBM Thinkpad.

However, I'm tired of wasting money and returning cams that don't work. I'm not alone I've checked in the forums on the Creative cam.

So why not tell us what to do when they don't work? Plus tell us how to return a cam to a retailer... without losing out on the restocking fee.

Stuart - sorry to hear you've had so many problems. Obviously difficult for me to identify exactly what's going on here, especially as I've used several cameras including the one mentioned with no problems. However, a bit of digging in the forums and I did see there have been quite a few problems reported on Skype 2.5 with video. Three suggestions seem to have come out of the forum posts - 1) Downgrading to 2.0 (obviously not ideal), 2) Upgrading to the 2.6 beta, or 3) using a small tool called splitcam which is available at http://www.splitcamera.com/ . Obviously I can't warrant whether you should use this, but it might be worth a look...hope that helps a little bit at least.

Hi, I'm really new at this and have used skype only a few times. I want to add a web cam, and am looking at the Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX you mentioned. I'm in the US and the one I looked at today doesn't say anything about being "skype certified" as the ones on this site do. Do you need a specific cam for skype? Or will one that mentions AOl, Yahoo etc..instant messaging work? Thanks for any help!

Hi Svea,
Welcome to Skype...Most webcams should work with Skype, however there are always quirks in the software (either Skype's or the webcam manufacturer's) which may mean some don't. Choosing a Skype certified camera such as the logitech one you mentioned mean it's been fully tested to work with Skype on different PC configurations. If you're using a Mac, make sure you check that the camera is Mac-compatible, as many are not at present.

Where does the US Robotics webcam come in respect to these cameras?

Can I use a microsoft lfecam vx3000 with Skype. I am looking to replace my present logitech with one.

Patrick

Hi
I'm using a logitec webcam the people who i'm calling can see me but I cant see them

any ideas?

ray

Hi I have just discovered skype & raced out & bought & installed a webcam on our laptop (Toshiba 3yrs old). The webcam is a Microsoft notebook NX3000 @ $89-Software was easy to follow & all the tests went well. I then called a skype buddy & clicked on start my video, we could see ourselves up in the cnr & she said she could see & hear us. Although after about 10 secs it froze & a red message appeared that said "Skype is unable to access your webcam, please close all applications using video"... When I try again the cam lights come on like it is trying to work.... Can MICROSOFT block it somehow ? any help / advice appreciated,Sandi.

Having the same problem of, Skype cannot access your webcam. Why. karenjean3

can someone please offer a solution to the "red line message "skype cant acess your web cam etc etc , please.

MY SKYPE AT HOME IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM: SKYPE CAN'T ACESS YOUR WEB CAM....CLOSE ALL APPLICATIONS....VIDEO. CALLERS CAN'T SEE ME. ADVICE, PLEASE?

I have the logitech 9000 and when I start a call and try to use the cam Skype closes. when I go into tools and then video settings it does the same thing, closes out. A few times (because my computer is slow) I was able to click the enable, as suggested in the skype suggestions, but that didn't help and today I actually got an error pop up from skype before it closed. Also my computer asked if I wanted to block skype, to which I said no. What's going on?? I want to use the cam!!! Pleeeze help me.

I am new to Skype. Is the Microsoft LifeCam compatible? Looking forward to your comments.

Anyone get an answer to using Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000, but cannot seem to get Skype to recognize it. It's connected and I can see myself on the cam, but unable to get Skype to recognize it. Anyone have similar issue.

Moderator, Sir/Ma'am,

It seems there have been many repeat problems and I have one: When I open my videocam software, I can see myself without a problem. The camera and driver are working perfectly. However, Skype will not recognize that there is a working camera. Please assist all of us... options please!

I use logitech E3500 and it doesn't work too. If Skype does not help with this I have no choice but to switch to Windows Live Messenger! I prefer to support software not under Microsoft family but Skype is proving too difficult to use.

Hi,

I'm having problems with Microsoft Lifecam on Skype too. We start a video conversation and after 3 or 4 seconds my camera freezes and both incoming and outgoing sound stops. I can hear and see my friend's webcam when I don't use my cam, so we've resorted to him vido calling and me just normal calling. Any ideas?

Like a number of you, I too am having problems using my Microsoft Lifecam VX5000. Skype dosn't recognise it and/or tells me to switch it on. Could this be because I am on dial up - not highspeed? Can you advise what I should/could be doing.
Thanks

Skype opens with my computer turn on, but only with "call". To make it recognize my webcam, I have to "reinstall" Skype after turning on the Computer...why?
Until this newest version installment I did not have that problem.

I got a Logitech 'webcam contact E2500' as a Christmas gift. Shortly after that, we used it and the audio & video etc. worked well. However, recently when I tried to use it, I get the video from the external source (caller), but the caller can't see my end [video signal]. AND - Skype now gives me the error message: "Skype can't access video. Shut down other camera s/w."

But I don't have any other camera s/w!

I have tried removing & uninstalling then re-installing the latest webcam s/w (v.11.8) by religiously following the Logitech installation instructions. Result: no change. No luck.

I have tried un-installing and re-installing the latest Skype S/W. No change. No luck.

What other programs might interfere with Skype's access to video? E.G. Real Player? Is there a bug? I noticed that others have had similar problems.

I have a Logitech QuickCam Communicate Deluxe. It worked fine with skype for a couple of weeks, then it quit working. I can still see my daughter from her built-in web cam in her laptop, but she cannot see us. It only has a black box where my picture should be. It says the video is working, but it isn't. The camera even lights up like it comes on, but still, the black box. Any suggestions?

Looks like everyone has the same problem. Good camera and good Skype but can't keep them connected. Any thoughts?
Pete

Just like skypekaren4 dated Feb 26; camera works great - Skype doesn't recognize it!

Have there been any answers to this thread? If so, where do I find them?

My Logitech S5500 worked in the beginning but now Skype doesn't think it is connected, getting same error message as everyone else. Could my Anti virus software be interfering?

Looks like Skype can't answer the question about the Microsoft Lifecam!!!.

I guess it either means it doesn't work with Skype, in which case we have all wasted our money, or, Skype can't answer because they haven't got a clue why it doesn't work!!!. In which case why are WE using Skype???

I look forward to someone ther having the curtisy to answer all of the questions raised, unless they don't give a damn!!!

Right, I think I have found the answer to the Microsoft Lifecam VX 3000 problem.
I uninstalled the latest version and then downloaded version 3.8.0.188.
When I ran the setup to install it, it immediately found my camera and after testing it tonight it works perfectly.
Give it a try with the other model cameras and post the results here, I would be interested in seeing if it works for others.
Good Luck!!

Can I use the PS3's camera with Skype?

Hi,

I've used Skype only a few times and I really like it, but for some reason I cannot get my video to work. I can see people and they can hear me but they cannot see me.

The webcam I have is a Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000. I know it works because I use it for work, and MSN but for some reason it doesnt work with Skype.

I have tried connecting it for video calls on Skype and it says unknown error..... is anyone else having this problem? and if you have fixed it can you please tell me how, because WOW!! is this ever going to cut my cell phone bill in half!

Thanks!