Skype Question

14 years ago

I have Windows 7 Home Premium and I just downloaded Skype so I could talk to my grandson . My question is, does windows 7 have a microphone or web cam all ready on it or is these things I need to buy for skype to work?

Thank you. :)

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Comments (4)

mikie_gw
14 years ago
What is your computer make & model ?

Windows 7 may have some software to make a microphone &/or webcam work... but it needs those hardware items seperately. Many laptops will have built in mic & cam = you should physically see the webcam if you have a desktop with a cam. Many webcams do have a built in microphone but you will probably want a headset with microphone if you plan on talking much.
kayjones
14 years ago
I have the web cam sitting atop my monitor and speakers plugged into my computer and Skype works just fine for me - no need for a headset in my case.
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mike_kaiser_gw
14 years ago
It depends on the physical hardware of your computer (Windows would just run the software necessary to make the webcam work).

If you need to buy one, I'd suggest a relatively inexpensive webcam. There are "high definition" cameras available but they're pretty expensive and require a fair amount of bandwidth to work properly.
owbist
14 years ago
Like kayjones above I have my webcam on top of my monitor and it has the mic built in. Works great.

However if you have others in the home who may want to watch television or whatever then a headset is better. Logitech do a very nice headset with mic and speakers for under $25 here. There are many others of course.

A word of caution, do not set a standalone mic in front of your speakers otherwise the sound coming from the speakers goes right back into the mic and can be more than annoying. Not sure that type of mic is still available but just in case.....

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Skype Question

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mikie_gw

kayjones

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