Video Chat Parenting
Sunday, 14. October 2007, 03:04:37
Given my heavy use of iChat Video since getting a MacBook couple years ago, this is a wild story illustrating how far good-quality video chat has come.
While a few years ago, video chat was cute to try, no one used it regularly given the horrible quality. Since Apple started including high-quality, built-in iSight webcams into MacBooks and iMacs, (and iChat v3.1 using H.264 compression) it has taken off, I think.
Now, even Skype video is pretty good quality, but if you're using XP/Vista, it still depends if you bought a ~$150 webcam or not. Most cheaper webcams are blurry with pixelated video and static even with fast broadband and the latest Skype release.
If you're wondering why I didn't mention any of the other IM networks' video efforts, do you anyone that's used anything other than iChat Video or Skype more than once?
I thought so.
When you use iChat Video for the first time to do a 3-way video with your Mom an hour away, and your younger brother 2000 miles away, and laugh and joke around, you'll see what I mean. (Skype is still limited to only 1-to-1 video calls.)
And now it appears some are disciplining their kids over video chat, too. What would Dr. Spock have thought? haha.
While a few years ago, video chat was cute to try, no one used it regularly given the horrible quality. Since Apple started including high-quality, built-in iSight webcams into MacBooks and iMacs, (and iChat v3.1 using H.264 compression) it has taken off, I think.
Now, even Skype video is pretty good quality, but if you're using XP/Vista, it still depends if you bought a ~$150 webcam or not. Most cheaper webcams are blurry with pixelated video and static even with fast broadband and the latest Skype release.
If you're wondering why I didn't mention any of the other IM networks' video efforts, do you anyone that's used anything other than iChat Video or Skype more than once?
I thought so.
When you use iChat Video for the first time to do a 3-way video with your Mom an hour away, and your younger brother 2000 miles away, and laugh and joke around, you'll see what I mean. (Skype is still limited to only 1-to-1 video calls.)
And now it appears some are disciplining their kids over video chat, too. What would Dr. Spock have thought? haha.
