Need to use webcam for video conferencing

Hi again, I've got a webcam fitted at the top of my laptop screen which I'd like to learn how to use for video conferencing so as to avoid a lot of travelling, especially as I'm usually too busy to spare the time. Also it would save a bomb on petrol too !

However never having used one before I've no idea how to start or what to do next so would very much appreciate some help and pointers....

Thanks in advance :)


Compaq CQ 50 Home premium Win 7 64 bit

Thanks very quick reply ! :) Yes I'd seen this but couldn't find QuickPlay in All Programmes....?

All ok apparently, just been told by neighbour I should be using Skype for video conferencing !! ....

Skype is pretty much the the standard for video calls, if you need to hold a conference with screen sharing etc then google hangouts are pretty good.

Many thanks ! :)

Bit lost, does Skype video conferencing mean single individuals face to face i.e. screen to screen ? Also, and I'm definitely not complaining lol !, if it's all for free that's amazing as I would have thought that would be their main source of income, or is there a financial catch hidden in there somewhere ?

And for Hangouts what does screen sharing mean, several people on line at once....?

Better safe than sorry I think

Yeah with Skype it's face to face video - they see you and you see them.

It's worth a look at the youtube channels to see some videos of how it's used - https://www.youtube.com/user/skype

You can have several people online at once with skype but I'm sure that's a premium paid feature, you can do it for free and share presentations and screens etc on Google Hangouts.

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...be.KSCb2L2jOsQ

This has all been really great many, many thanks to you both ! I had'nt a clue that this unknown and unused webcam option plus coming on here this morning would eventually save me so much time, effort and expense in the future as I've never had the time or inclination to go into it all, dreading the endless Google searches that usually draw a blank....unbelieveable !

Thanks again !