Question about webcams and mics/speakers etc...

NeilF · 16 Jul 2008 at 11:52

Just in the process of setting up a webcam on a machine so my girlfriend can chat to a friend in Australia...

Now, the webcam has a built in mic, so I assume given the right software (eg: Skype) my GF's image and voice can be beamed across the planet... Fine...

Now, when the audio returns from here friend, isn't that going to come out of the speakers and be picked up by the mic, thus causing an 'echo' effect?

This is common practice so someone should be able to explain what's going to happen?

melbourne720 · 16 Jul 2008 at 14:21

Turn down the speakers should do the trick. Or use a headset, as the audio quality will be about 1000x better than a built in microphone.

split · 16 Jul 2008 at 14:44

i use skype a lot but not cam.
I use headset and its very clear...I even use skype out for calling abroad land lines (of cos the kids are on phone) and that works pretty good.

If you have a cam plugged in just makes sure to tell skype that your using your soundcard if you use a headset.

Tools > options > audio settings.

NeilF · 16 Jul 2008 at 14:58

split said:
i use skype a lot but not cam.
I use headset and its very clear...I even use skype out for calling abroad land lines (of cos the kids are on phone) and that works pretty good.

If you have a cam plugged in just makes sure to tell skype that your using your soundcard if you use a headset.

Tools > options > audio settings.

Have you ever tried using speakers instead of headphones?

split · 16 Jul 2008 at 15:58

My friend in Canada uses a web cam, and she had to use the mic on it the other day as her normal headset broke. (mic at least)
It's easy enough to do, but the mic on a web cam isnt that good.

I expect mic would pick up chat as well if you used speakers.

cams are best used as cams IME.

gareth170 · 16 Jul 2008 at 16:35

what webcam is it? some webcams have echo cancellation options.. my Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF as the options.

NeilF · 16 Jul 2008 at 19:06

gareth170 said:
what webcam is it? some webcams have echo cancellation options.. my Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF as the options.

*looks at box*

Logitech QuickCam chat!?

gareth170 · 16 Jul 2008 at 20:27

NeilFawcett said:
*looks at box*

Logitech QuickCam chat!?

check in audio tuning wizard

james.miller · 16 Jul 2008 at 20:30

there are various ways to combat it. webcams with mics usually have some sort of noise suppression. soundcards with mic inputs do as well (its called Acoustics Echo Cancellation on my xonar d2). of course, you can always move the mic further away from the speakers too....

NeilF · 16 Jul 2008 at 22:18

OK! Got the option... Guess the thing to do now is wait and play...

Thanks for the advice