Communicate with video and voice
With Windows Messenger, you can go beyond simple text messages to connect with family and friends. If you and your contacts have webcams, you can share video conversations in real time—see each other's expressions, watch a smile light up your sister's face, and see how much the kids have grown. And with Windows Messenger, you can also have voice-to-voice conversations using your computer's microphone and speakers.
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What you need for video and voice communications with Windows Messenger
To use video and voice communications, you and your contact both need Windows Messenger, a sound card, a microphone, and speakers or a headset. You both also need a webcam and preferably a broadband connection to the Internet, such as a cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or local area network (LAN) connection.
Tip: Although it's possible to have video and voice conversations using a standard dial-up Internet connection, the connection may be slow or choppy due to slower transmission rates. For better results, use a broadband connection for video and voice communications.
Tune up with the Audio Tuning Wizard
Before you begin video or voice communications, make sure that your video camera, microphone, and speakers are ready by running the Audio Tuning Wizard. Start the process in the Windows Messenger window by clicking Tools and then clicking Audio Tuning Wizard. The wizard will walk you through the process of setting up your camera and preparing your sound system so that you can communicate clearly.
To start a video conversation:
1. | Start Windows Messenger by double-clicking the Windows Messenger icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, and sign in to the Microsoft Passport Network. |
2. | Double-click the name of a contact on your list. The Conversation window will open. |
3. | Click Start camera in the right side of the Windows Messenger window. Windows Messenger will notify you that an invitation has been sent. When your contact accepts the invitation, a message will appear and the video transmission will begin. Note: If you do not see the video, speakers, and microphone controls, click the View menu, and then click Sidebar. 
Tip: To see your picture inset in your contact's picture, click Options, and then click Show My Video as Picture-in-Picture.
To stop sending your video image, click Options, and then click Stop Sending Video. You will continue to receive the other person's image, but your image will freeze in your contact's instant message window.
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4. | To end the conversation, click Stop talking or Stop camera. |
Plan for various configurations
If a contact does not accept your invitation, it may be because the person does not have Windows XP, a sound card, a microphone, or a camera. If the person you are communicating with doesn't have a camera (and you do), that person will see you, but you won't see your contact. If you invite someone to a video conversation and you don't have a camera, you will see your contact if he or she has a camera. If your contact doesn't have Windows XP, he or she won't be able to accept the invitation.
Start a voice conversation
You can have real-time voice conversations on your computer—with contacts all over the world—using Windows Messenger. What's more, if you sign up with a PC-to-phone service provider, you can use Windows Messenger to call any telephone from your computer. If you and your contact both have sound cards, microphones, and speakers or headsets, you're ready to make the call.
To start a voice conversation with Windows Messenger:
1. | Open Windows Messenger by double-clicking the Windows Messenger icon in the lower-right side of your screen. |
2. | Click the link to sign in, and type your Passport Network e-mail address and password. Click OK. |
3. | Double-click the name of a contact on your list. The Conversation window will open. |
4. | Click Start talking. The Speakers and Microphone controls will expand. Windows Messenger will notify you that an invitation has been sent. When your contact accepts the invitation, the conversation begins. 
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5. | When you are ready to end the conversation, click Stop talking. |
For more information
Watch a demonstration of Windows Messenger video and voice communications in the video Go Beyond Text with Voice and Video Chats. Watching the video requires that you have Windows Media Player.
Broadband: Watch the video now.
Dial-up: Download the video now (instructions).
