Video Conferencing with Windows Live Messenger
Submitted by powlesla on Tue, 2007-03-20 15:28.

Introduction
Requirements
Installing
Accounts
Send Us Your Live ID
Launching

Contacts

Calling
Editing Your Profile
Custom Configuration
Getting Help

 

Introduction

 

Windows Live Messenger is a more fully featured version of Windows Messenger that also adds live video and audio capability. The following instructions explain how to use Windows Live Messenger for video conferencing.

 

Requirements

 

  • Pentium 233 MHz processor minimum (500 MHz recommended)
  • Windows XP or Vista
  • 128MB RAM (256 MB recommended; more for Vista)
  • 50MB free disk space
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
  • Internet Connection (broadband recommended)
  • Windows Live Messenger
  • USB compatible camera (microphone recommended)
  • Headphones with microphone are optional or
  • Speakers can be used if Microphone is built into camera or in computer

1.  Installing

 

Before proceeding, make sure the Camera/Microphone, Speakers and/or Headset are installed.  If not, install them now, following the instructions accompanying the equipment.

 

If you already have Windows Live Messenger installed, skip to Step 2

 

To install Windows Live Messenger, go to the following link: http://get.live.com/messenger/overview

 

Follow the on-screen instructions to install.

 

2.  Accounts

 

If you already have a Windows Live ID account, skip to Step 3

 

To use Windows Live, you will also need to obtain a Windows Live ID account.

https://accountservices.passport.net/reg.srf

 

Follow the on-screen instructions.


3.  Send your Windows Live ID account to info@biblicalcounselingcenter.com

If you've already done so, skip to Step 4

 

This will ensure that we can register your ID in our list of contacts

 

4.  Launch Windows Live Messenger

 

If the Windows Live Messenger window isn't already present, it can be launched by either clicking on the icon in the system tray, clicking on the Windows Live Messenger icon on the desktop or selecting it from Start Programs

 

livemessenger1

 

5.  Contacts

 

Before you start a video call you will need to add the other party to your contact list.  You will be given the Biblical Counseling Center contact information by e-mail.

To add that contact:

 

  • Click the Add a contact button.
  • Enter the contact's Windows Live ID information.
  • When finished adding the contact, click Save.

 

6.  Calling (note that you must be logged in to Windows Live Messenger):

 

Placing a Call (Note: you should not use this feature, since Biblical Counseling Center will place the call to you)

 

To place a call:

  • Open an instant messaging window by double-clicking on your a contact's name.
  • Click on the Video Call button to initiate a call.

Receiving a Call  (Note: Unless you are otherwise instructed, Biblical Counseling Center will place the call to you)

 

If you do not already have an open chat window with the caller, one will open.

 

To receive a call:

  • A request will appear in your chat window.
  • Click Answer to start the call.

 

Ending Call:

To end a call (Note: This will normally be done by the Biblical Counseling Center)

  • Click Hang Up (or close the chat window).

7.  Editing Your Profile

To edit your profile:

  • Click on your name/status in the main Live Messenger window.
  • Select 'Options'
  • Select 'Personal'
  • When finished editing, click OK.

  • 8.  Custom Configuration


If you're using a headset, or stand-alone microphone, be sure that you select the correct devices in Steps 1 & 2. This procedure can also help in setting up your camera frame.

To configure the camera settings:

  • Go to Tools and then Webcam settings

If you are unhappy with the picture displayed by Windows Live Messenger; use these settings to adjust the picture to fit your surroundings. If your adjustments have taken the picture too far from normal, try clicking Restore Defaults to even out the picture again. By clicking Advanced you will enter you will enter the specific settings of your camera, these are not part of the WLM program, but rather part of the camera's setup on your computer.

 

9. Getting help

 

To obtain help with Windows Live Meeting, select Help on the menu bar followed by Help Topics.