Tech-Ease: Chat and Conferencing Questions and Answers

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How do I start a video chat in Windows Messenger?

To start a video chat, right-click on a contact and select Start a Video Conversation.

You can also select Actions, Start a Video Conversation.

Actions, Start a Video Conversation

You can add video to a text chat. First, make sure the side bar is displayed by selecting View, Sidebar from the conversation window's menu. Next, click on the Start Camera link on the sidebar that appears on the right hand side of the conversation window.

When you click on Start Talking, your contact will receive a message on their end letting them know that you would like to start a video conversation with them. They will have the option to accept (Alt + T) or decline (Alt + D) your invitation. If your contact accepts your invitation, the video feed from their webcam will be displayed in a small window in the sidebar on the right.

Once you see your contact's video in the sidebar, you can click on the Options button to change how the video from your end is displayed. If you want to see your video feed inset with your contact's, you can select Options, Show My Video as Picture-in-Picture.

Show My Video as Picture-in-Picture

You can also choose to stop sending your video by selecting Options, Stop Sending Video.

The video feed on the other end will freeze and your contact will only see a still image from then on. To end the video chat, select the Stop talking or Stop camera link on the right, above the video window.

If you have a webcam and your contact does not, you can still start a video chat and your contact will see your webcam's feed, but you will not be able to see them. Likewise, if they have a camera and you don't, you will be able to see them but they will not be able to see you. It is highly recommended that both you and your contact have a high speed internet connection for the best performance when using video chat with Windows Messenger or any other chat program that supports video.

Additional Websites

Microsoft.com: Learn More About Windows Messenger

Chat 101

Wiredsafety.org: Chat Room Safety

PC World: A Grown-Up's Guide to Instant Messaging

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Tech-Ease for Windows is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Mac site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse. Funding for Tech-Ease content development has been provided by the USF College of Education and various grants from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2009 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.

			Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	CHAT FAQ	SEARCH
How do I start a video chat in Windows Messenger? To start a video chat, right-click on a contact and select Start a Video Conversation. You can also select Actions, Start a Video Conversation. You can add video to a text chat. First, make sure the side bar is displayed by selecting View, Sidebar from the conversation window's menu. Next, click on the Start Camera link on the sidebar that appears on the right hand side of the conversation window. When you click on Start Talking, your contact will receive a message on their end letting them know that you would like to start a video conversation with them. They will have the option to accept (Alt + T) or decline (Alt + D) your invitation. If your contact accepts your invitation, the video feed from their webcam will be displayed in a small window in the sidebar on the right. Once you see your contact's video in the sidebar, you can click on the Options button to change how the video from your end is displayed. If you want to see your video feed inset with your contact's, you can select Options, Show My Video as Picture-in-Picture. You can also choose to stop sending your video by selecting Options, Stop Sending Video. The video feed on the other end will freeze and your contact will only see a still image from then on. To end the video chat, select the Stop talking or Stop camera link on the right, above the video window. If you have a webcam and your contact does not, you can still start a video chat and your contact will see your webcam's feed, but you will not be able to see them. Likewise, if they have a camera and you don't, you will be able to see them but they will not be able to see you. It is highly recommended that both you and your contact have a high speed internet connection for the best performance when using video chat with Windows Messenger or any other chat program that supports video.			Additional Websites Microsoft.com: Learn More About Windows Messenger Chat 101 Wiredsafety.org: Chat Room Safety PC World: A Grown-Up's Guide to Instant Messaging
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Site Map \| Submit a Question \| About Tech-Ease \| Privacy Policy \| ETC Home Tech-Ease for Windows is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Mac site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse. Funding for Tech-Ease content development has been provided by the USF College of Education and various grants from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2009 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.