# Need advice on videophone

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-videophone/477200>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 15, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-videophone/477200 "2008-12-15T03:42:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-videophone/477200/1 "2008-12-15T03:42:32Z")

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My wife mentioned that she would like some form of video phone to talk to her mother, and let Nana talk with our 2 year old, etc…

Her parents have broadband, and dad is somewhat tech-savvy.

I’m assuming this is simple with freeware and a cheap USB webcam?

Just basically looking for opinions on hardware and software here before i spend any cash.

If making specific recommendations on hardware, keep in mind that wife uses a laptop.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-videophone/477200/2 "2008-12-15T04:04:18Z")

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Skype (an internet phone client with video capability) is pretty good, easy to use, and free to use from one computer to another.

You can use it with any webcam. I’d suggest going for a recognizable brand – Logitech and Microsoft make good webcams. You don’t need something really high end, but avoid cheap no-name hardware.