Rob Freeman, Click's very own Mr Fixit, troubleshoots your PC problems and helps you get the most out of your computer. This week he shows how to change the settings to get a larger image from your webcam when you go from narrowband to broadband.
K Kemal from Mumbai, India says: "I've used my webcam for years and I've recently got broadband so I can get bigger and better video online, but why is the size of my webcam picture so small?"
Thanks K. Great question.
The answer is that your webcam software still thinks you are on narrowband internet, so you need to change a setting manually to get a larger image.
Let us assume you are using one of the main instant message applications. We will start with Yahoo Messenger.
Now this should be simple, but it is one of those settings which software designers like to hide away.
For instance, if you thought you should be looking in the Messenger > Preferences settings where all the other options are, then you would be wrong!
Nope, actually, you need to start by being online and logged into Yahoo, then select Messenger >My Webcam, to start your webcam. Obviously, you will need to have the camera connected when you do this. On the top of the webcam window there is another Webcam menu, click that, and you will see the image size selector. You are right - it could be a bit easier to find.
It is not all about size
There are a couple of other options I will explain while I am here, because they will help with your image quality.
If you choose File > Preferences, you find another camera menu where you can choose between having your camera sending more frames per second, so the image appears smoother, or a better overall quality of the image, which will mean it slows down and gets a bit jerky.
If you are using the Windows Live Messenger, then the image size is actually fixed, you cannot change it, although you can alter other camera settings, like the colour and brightness, and the control for that is in Tools > Webcam Settings.
Sometimes it is about speed
Your broadband connection should make the image much smoother; but remember that just because you are paying for a broadband link that runs at say 1Mbps, does not mean that you are getting that all time.
Internet service providers typically share their available bandwidth between their subscribers, so you could be sharing that 1Mbps with as many as 50 other people. If they are all using it at the same time as you, then your connection's going to be slow!
There are some bandwidth speed checks online. I have even managed to find one based in India, although nowhere near you unfortunately, so it may not be completely accurate.
The web address is www.calcuttatelephones.com/bandwidthmeter/initialmeter.php - but if you are in the UK, you can try the speed tester at www.thinkbroadband.com/html.
These are only a guide, and you will get different results at different times of the day as the number of people on the internet near you fluctuates. You might also check the homepage of your internet service provider to see if they have their own test.
There are other useful things you can do with your webcam. How about using it to protect your home while you are out? Try http://dorgem.sourceforge.net or www.supervisioncam.com.
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