If you don't have a webcam at home, why not try your local library? Here's a list of participating libraries around the UK which are offering webcam facilities to The Morning Show viewers.

Have your say in sight and sound. Here's how to record, encode and send a video message

How to record a message:

If you have a camera attached to your computer and microphone, or a digital camera with audio, you can have your say, in your own words and in your own voice!

We can play back most media formats. Here are two we use all the time:

RealMedia - encode with RealProducer

Windows Media - free encoder

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We can also play back Quicktime, AVI files and most of the MPEG file variants, eg. MPEG-1, MP3, etc.

Please use caution before encoding media in a format that can only be played back with the hardware used to create it. It is unlikely that we would have exactly the same hardware that is on your computer and therefore we will not be able to play your file unless you use a standard method of creating it.

Please note that we cannot provide support for any of the software listed here, or your hardware. We suggest you contact the manufacturers.

Your message can be in any style you like. Here are some useful tips.

File parameters

Make sure your file isn't any bigger than one megabyte, or it may not e-mail to us correctly. Your picture size should be no larger than 320x240 pixels. Tell us which software you used to create the file, in case we have trouble playing it back.

Making a good recording

For the best audio quality set the recording level of your microphone correctly. If it is too high your voice will be distorted, too low and we won't hear you at all.

For good video quality try to stay still in front of your camera and ensure that you are well lit. Aiming a light towards your face may help, though not too close or you will just look pale.

Although you may choose to write down your comment beforehand, try to record it as if you were speaking to someone, not reading off a sheet of paper. Remember to look into the camera, if you are using one.

How to send your message

When you have your correctly encoded file that is under one megabyte in size, e-mail it as an attachment to:
themorningshow@bbc.co.uk

Please write "Webcam Contribution" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Remember to include in your e-mail, your name, and the town or city and the country you live in.