This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with Windows 7.

In addition to an instant message, you can conduct a video call using your webcam and microphone. To do this, at least one person will need a webcam and microphone, and both parties need the same software and version of software. It does not matter if you have a built-in (integrated) or an external (USB) webcam.

There are many video chat programs which are free to download and use. Some of these programs are:

• Windows Live Messenger
• Yahoo Messenger
• Skype
• AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

Windows Live Messenger

To set up and use your webcam in Windows Live Messenger, follow the steps below. Be sure to upgrade to the latest version of Windows Live Messenger from http://www.download.live.com/messenger .

1. Log into Windows Live Messenger.
2. Double-click a person also logged into Windows Live Messenger from your Contact List to begin an instant message.
3. Click the Menu icon, mouse-over Tools , and then select Audio and video setup to set up your microphone, speakers, and webcam.
4. Click the webcam icon and select the option Show my webcam to use the webcam or Start a Video Call to use the webcam and microphone.
   Figure 1: Webcam startup

   

   1 - Menu to Audio and video setup

   2 - Webcam icon

   Image of the webcam start screen.
5. An invitation will be sent to the other person. To start the webcam, the other person must click Accept . A video image will display in the instant message.
   If the other person wishes to share their webcam with you, they will need to click their webcam icon, and you will need to accept their invitation when prompted.
6. To end the video chat, click the camera icon again.

Yahoo! Messenger

To set up and use your webcam in Yahoo! Messenger, follow the steps below. Be sure to upgrade to the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger from http://messenger.yahoo.com .

1. Log into Yahoo! Messenger.
2. Double-click a person also logged into Yahoo! Messenger from your Contact List to begin an instant message.
3. Click the Video Call icon . You may be prompted to run a Call Setup Assistant to set up your microphone, speakers, and webcam.
   Figure 2: Yahoo setup screen

   Image of the Yahoo setup screen.
4. After finishing the setup, an invitation will be sent to the other person to begin the video call. To start the webcam, the other person must click Accept . A video image will display in the instant message.
   If the other person wishes to share their webcam with you, they will need to click their Video call icon, and you will need to accept their invitation when prompted.
5. To end the video call, click End call just above the video image.

Skype

To set up and use your webcam in Skype, follow the steps below. Be sure to upgrade to the latest version of Skype from http://www.skype.com .

1. Log into Skype.
2. Double-click a person also logged into Skype from your Contact List to begin an instant message.
3. Click the Check settings icon to set up your microphone, speakers, and webcam.

   NOTE:

   Sometimes, Skype does not recognize the HP default microphone. If the microphone is not working, go to Device Manager and select the Integrated Microphone Array .

4. Click the Video Call icon to begin a video chat.
   Figure 3: Skype video chat

   Image of the Skype setup screen.
5. An invitation will be sent to the other person. To start the webcam, the other person must click Answer . A video image will display in the instant message.
   If the other person wishes to share their webcam with you, they will need to click their Video call icon, and you will need to accept their invitation when prompted.
6. To end the video chat, click the red telephone icon .

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

To set up and use your webcam in AIM, follow the steps below. Be sure to upgrade to the latest version of AIM from http://www.aim.com .

1. Log into AIM.
2. Double-click a person also logged into AIM from your Buddy List to begin an instant message.
3. Click Menu , Settings , and Enhanced IM to ensure that the correct audio devices are selected.
4. Click the camera icon and select Start a Video IM to begin a video chat.
   Figure 4: AOL video chat

   

   1 - Menu to Settings

   2 - Camera icon

   Image of the AOL setup screen.
   An invitation will be sent to the other person. To start the webcam, the otherperson must click Accept . A video image will display in the instant message.
5. To end the video chat, click End Session .

Tips for using HP Webcam with your favorite messenger

For a successful instant message webcam experience, consider the following tips.

• Make sure you and your friend use the same instant messenger software and latest version to obtain the newest features.
• If the software has a problem recognizing your webcam or microphone, go to Device Manager and select a different driver that does work.
• If you are having trouble with the webcam quality, such as lighting, use HP MediaSmart YouCam's settings to adjust the webcam quality to your preference. See HP Notebook PCs - Using HP MediaSmart Software Webcam Feature for further information.

See Also

HP Notebook PCs - Testing a Webcam in Windows 7