How to have a video conversation with MSN Messenger
Published: July 11, 2005
Video conversations using a webcam and MSN Messenger are a popular way to communicate online. Grandparents stay in touch with their grandchildren even when they are miles apart. Members of the military use it to communicate in real time with their families. And parents keep up with their kids when they're away at college. Computer support technicians, graphic artists, and corporate personnel often use MSN Messenger to have face-to-face interaction with their clients. No matter how you use it, video conversations are a great way to communicate.
People typically use a webcam and MSN Messenger to connect with family, friends, and colleagues, but you can also use it in other scenarios. I recently positioned my webcam so it faces my new kitten's play area. Now I can keep an eye on him when I'm in another room. I log on to MSN Messenger twice: once at the computer that has the webcam and again at the Media Center PC in the family room. (I have two different Microsoft Passports.) Then I initiate a video conversation between both. This way, I can make sure he's not climbing the walls or swinging from the mini blinds. You could create a similar set up for security or to watch your small children.
In this article, I'll explain how to use MSN Messenger to have a video conversation. This conversation can be between you and a contact or between two computers in the same house.
MSN Messenger vs. Windows Messenger
MSN Messenger doesn't come with Windows XP—Windows Messenger does. If you haven't expressly downloaded MSN Messenger, you don't have it. If you're confused about the differences between MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger, check out an earlier article I wrote, Communicate with MSN Messenger 6.
I chose MSN Messenger over Windows Messenger for several reasons. MSN Messenger is compatible with both MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger, and offers a version for Mac users. I think it's best to start out with MSN Messenger to avoid the kind of compatibility problems that I run across in the MSN Messenger newsgroup. If everyone is using MSN Messenger, you know you'll be able to communicate with anyone you want. I also like MSN Messenger's additional applications including alerts, games, free radio broadcasts, and the emoticons.
Install MSN Messenger
The first step to video conferencing is to download and install the latest version of MSN Messenger. The second step is to register an e-mail address or obtain a new one. I use my free Hotmail e-mail account for MSN Messenger. Mine is Joli_Ballew@hotmail.com and people are always able to find me there.
To get started then, first visit the MSN Messenger official home page, and follow the directions for downloading and installing MSN Messenger. The sequence of events is as follows:
1. | On the MSN Messenger home page, click Download Now. |
2. | From the download page, click Go to sign up for a free Hotmail e-mail account and register automatically. Or click Go to register your own e-mail account. If you've already registered with either, click Go to get MSN Messenger. (Choose the Go that's right for you.) |
3. | If creating and/or registering an e-mail address, work through the required pages. You'll need to create or enter an e-mail address, a password, enter your birth date, and select your country and state. |
4. | After creating and/or registering, the MSN download will start automatically. If it does not, and you see a prompt to install ActiveX controls, click and choose Install Active X Controls. The figure below shows how to install the controls.  If prompted, install Active X Controls. |
5. | When prompted to install MSN Messenger, click Next, and then select I accept the terms of the use and privacy statement, and click Next. |
6. | Choose the additional features you would like: MSN Toolbar, MSN Search, MSN Home, and MSN Messenger Shortcuts. There is an explanation next to each. Click Next. |
7. | Wait until the installation finishes, and then click Finish. MSN Messenger will open and sign you in automatically. |
8. | If you are new to MSN Messenger, work through the Welcome to MSN Messenger features page, shown below.  MSN Messenger demos the new features for you. |
If you already have a version of MSN Messenger, you should still check to see that you have the latest one and perform an upgrade if necessary. To see what version you have, click Help, and then click About MSN Messenger. You want version 7.0.
Add a Contact
Before you can communicate with someone using MSN Messenger, you'll need to add them as a contact. You can add any number of contacts, and each contact will appear in the Contact list. An example is shown below.
Contacts are listed in the MSN Messenger window.
To add a contact
1. | Double-click the MSN Messenger icon in the notification area. |
2. | Click Contacts, and then click Add a contact. |
3. | On the How do you want to add a contact page, make a selection. You can select a contact from your Address Book, by using an e-mail address, or by using a contact's mobile phone number. Click Next. |
4. | Enter the required information, click Next, and then click Finish. |
Connect and configure the webcam and microphone
Now that MSN Messenger is set up, it's time to connect and configure the webcam and your microphone. Most webcams connect using the computer's USB port. Read the instructions that came with your camera to install it. Some will require that you install the camera driver before connecting the camera. Some webcams will require that you install the driver after. The driver is almost always distributed on a CD that comes with the camera.
Some newer cameras may simply be Plug and Play, which means you have to connect it and wait for Windows XP to recognize it. Whatever the case, read the documentation for your specific camera to install it correctly. To install a microphone, simply plug it into the correct port of the soundcard at the back of your PC.
After your hardware is connected, use MSN Messenger to configure it for the best audio and video possible.
1. | Make sure the webcam and microphone are turned on, if this is necessary. Then double-click the MSN Messenger icon and log on. |
2. | Click Tools, and then click Audio/Video Tuning Wizard. Click Next to start the wizard. (The tuning wizard opens automatically on first run.) |
3. | On the first wizard page, under Camera, click the camera you want to use from the list. Click Next. |
4. | Position the camera so that you can see yourself or the subject in the window. The figure below shows my kitten in his kitty condo. Click Next.  Use the Audio/Video Tuning Wizard to set up your camera. |
5. | When prompted, position the microphone 3-5 inches from yourself or your subject. Click Next. |
6. | Select the microphone and speakers you are using from the choices or select I am using headphones. Click Next. |
7. | Select Click to test speakers, and move the slider up or down to set the volume. Click Stop when finished, and Next to continue through the wizard. |
8. | When prompted, speak into the microphone and move the microphone closer or farther away to get the desired volume. Click Next, and then click Finish. |
If necessary, you can tweak the video again during your video conversation.
Have a Video Conversation
After you've installed the camera and microphone and have them working properly, you can use it to have a video conversation with any one of your contacts. To avoid problems, you'll want to encourage them to get MSN Messenger 7 too. For video conversations each user MUST have MSN Messenger 7 installed. You can share your webcam with someone who is using other versions of MSN Messenger (for example, one-way video only view), but you can't run Video Conversation if you don't both have Messenger 7.
To start a video conversation
1. | Open MSN Messenger and sign in. |
2. | Click Actions, point to Audio/Video, and then click Start a video conversation. |
3. | Select a contact from the My Contacts page and click OK. |
4. | Wait for the other person to accept your invitation. You'll receive a message that your contact has accepted or denied the invitation. If the contact accepts, he or she will be able to see what's on your webcam. An example is shown below.  When a video conversation is taking place, both video and audio are present. |
5. | To tweak how your video looks during a video conversation, click Tools, and click Webcam Settings. Use the sliders to increase or decrease brightness, contrast, white balance, saturation, and gamma, and to mirror the image. You can also configure advanced settings and restore defaults. Advanced settings include sliders for hue, sharpness, backlight composition. |
6. | To end the video conversation, click the Webcam icon. |
 | Joli Ballew is a technology trainer and writer in the Dallas area. She holds several certifications including MCSE, A+, and MCDST. Joli has almost 20 books available, including Degunking Windows (Paraglyph Press), Hardcore Windows XP (McGraw-Hill), and Windows XP: Do Amazing Things (Microsoft Press). Joli is also a regular Microsoft Expert Zone columnist. Joli can be contacted at Joli_Ballew@hotmail.com.
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