Stanley Kubrick was one of the first to show the concept of "video communication" in "A Space Odyssey: 2001". In the film, the caller occupied a special chair in a kind of "telephone booth" in order to call relatives on the ground. The idea was then innovative and so fantastic that the director could hardly have imagined that today for a video call, all that is needed is to have access to the Internet and a cheap camera.
Instructions
Step 1
Find out as much as possible about the type of Internet connection from both interlocutors. Skype adjusts the call parameters based on the signal speed. So, if you have a very slow connection, then the video quality can be automatically reduced to minimum values. Another situation is also possible: the incoming speed is sufficient, while the outgoing speed is extremely low. Then your interlocutor will be in an uncomfortable position due to poor picture resolution.
Step 2
It doesn't make sense to buy an expensive camera if your connection can't justify it. Minimum allowable values: resolution 640x480 pixels, 30 frames / sec. Starting with a connection speed of 2-3 Mb / s, it makes sense to take more expensive and high-quality models.
Step 3
Regardless of the technical characteristics, the camera must have a number of additional functions. It is highly desirable to have autofocus (which will give a sharper image) and a "night view" function. The latter may seem unnecessary, but in practice, such an improvement only gives confidence that the image in the frame will be less exposed during the day.
Step 4
Consider buying a camera with a microphone. Its main advantage will be in "directionality": you, as a user, do not need an additional expansion microphone, you just need to sit in front of the lens and speak freely - which is certainly more comfortable.
Step 5
Keep in mind that you can use almost any device as a webcam. So, for these purposes, a digital camera and a mobile phone are suitable: you only need to download special software.
Step 6
In order to select the one you need from several connected devices in Skype, go to the "Settings" menu. Inside, pay attention to the item "Video": there will be a column "Device by default". The proposed list will reflect all devices connected to the PC and correctly recognized, among which you can choose a camera for communication.
