April 20, 2007

Skype and Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX

Are you tired of your high phone bill? Or do the grandparents keep asking for more pictures of your children? You can solve both problems with a $40 camera and some free software from Skype. We recently purchased the Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX and we've been using it to call up our friends and family around the country.

Using the Skype service is very easy. Simply download the software and sign up for a new account. You can find your friends and family by searching for their name. We were able to find some of our contacts right away -- we didn't even know they had Skype installed! Your private details are always protected though -- you have to approve all new contacts before anything is shared with them.

Hooking up the camera was equally easy. I simply plugged it into a free USB slot. Windows recognized the hardware immediately, and went off to download the latest drivers. It claims to be compatible with Windows Vista, but you'll have good luck with Windows XP as well.

We've made several calls since then, and I have to say that I'm really amazed with the quality. The sound comes through loud and clear. And the video, while choppy sometimes, gives a fantastic picture. It even works well in relatively low light.

So, the next time you visit the grandparents, be sure to bring a camera with you and get this set up for them. It's tremendously easy to use, and is a great way to keep in touch. You get to make free calls to other Skype users, and you even get to see eachother!