I've just downloaded and want to start using Skype. Problem is, I don't have a webcam or microphone at present and am trying to decide whether it would be better to buy a new PC monitor (I'd like a larger screen anyway...) with a built in webcam and microphone or buy separate webcam and microphone. A built in webcam and microphone would be neater and cut down on peripherals but I suspect the quality and adjustability would suffer as a result and wouldn't be as good as separates..............

What do you guys have/use for Skype, what are the advantages/disadvantages and what would you recommend?

Cheers

Phil

I have no experience of monitors with bild in webcams, but I have found the more expensive webcams are well worth the money - I have a Microsfot lifecam cinema which was about £35 and is very good.

Stu

someone told me one that you could connect up a video camera for video calls but dont know if that would be possible on your set up.

we run some low cost video conferences and my thoughts on that would be that camera quality doesnt need to be amazing to get decent results, laptop built in cameras seem to do an ok job face to face (they are no good for more than one to one communication) the key is to get good quality sound. i've interviewed people using skype and mainly that was with either built in jobs, or cheap peripherals and had no problems at all.

colleagues with a small conference room and a big screen use a microsoft life cam which they swear by for small conferences, using skype.

I'd agree with Swanny, the picture is a novelty but you have to have good microphones and speakers to make it work. We have full teleconference facilities at work, with massive 50" screens on the meeting room walls so it looks like you're in the room with the people in another country. It's still virtually impossible to understand them because the sound quality is awful!!

I'd probably suggest a clip on webcam for the monitor (Microsoft's HD camera is quite decent), and perhaps a decent headset with microphone?

The thing I dislike most about the builtin cameras is if you are both looking at the screen and not the camera, it's like talking to someone who's not looking at you (which I find irritating). With a separate camera, you could mount it in the middle of screen and at least they'll think you're looking at them

ATB

Simon

only reason laptops have inbuilt is so it is still mobile, I can't see any point (unless you REALLY don't like the look of wires) having it on a desktop computer, just get an external one, then you can move it around to show people stuff.

Thanks for the input guys. After reading a few reviews I finally decided on the Logitech C920 HD Pro.

Cheers

Phil