Cannot detect camera

[Charlotte]

G'day,

I am trying to get a video chat up and working on MSN
messenger. When I use the video/audio tuning wizard, I get
picture and I get sound, but when I actually want to start
a chat with audio and video, the video won't work. I get
the message: messenger cannot detect a camera...
I have a Nikon coolpix 4300 hooked up to the composite
input of my ATI Radeon 9200 video card, and I'm running
everything on XP.
When I try webcam options it gives me the same no
detection message. What can I do about this?

Cheers,

Chrltt.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Charlotte,

Are you just clicking the "Webcam" button? There are actually two different video functions
within MSN Messenger 6.x. The first, the
"Webcam" function, which is tested by the "Web Camera Settings" dialog, basically supports
actual "Webcam"s only. It does not support DV/firewire cameras, digital cameras, or video
card inputs. The second, the "Video Conference" function is tested by the Audio/Video Tuning
Wizard, supports most devices including DV cameras and video card inputs and uses the same
functionality as Windows Messenger does.

The Video Conference and Audio/Video Tuning Wizard will only be available on Windows XP (and
both you and your contact must be using Windows XP in order for it to work). Assuming both
of you are using Windows XP, try using the Video Conference feature instead, by clicking the
Actions menu within a conversation window and choosing 'Start Video Conference'.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Charlotte]

Hi Jonathan,

I have tried starting a chat with the video conference
feature, and unfortunately my contact couldn't see me.

Indeed we are both running on XP. The audio/video tuning
wizard gives me a great pic, but it ain't coming through
on the receiving side (I get the message that the other
person's computer is having technical difficulties). I
suppose a faster connection might solve this?!

You mention messenger supports mostly 'just' webcams, but
surely connecting a digi-still cam to a USB port would
work? Or does one need to temporarily disable the video
capture card in order for messenger to recognize the
input source being USB?
My contact has there DV cam hooked up to a USB port as a
webcam and it works...

Hope you might be able to advise me on this.

Thanks!

Charlotte.

-----Original Message-----
Greetings Charlotte,

Are you just clicking the "Webcam" button? There are

actually two different video functions

within MSN Messenger 6.x. The first, the
"Webcam" function, which is tested by the "Web Camera

Settings" dialog, basically supports

actual "Webcam"s only. It does not support DV/firewire

cameras, digital cameras, or video

card inputs. The second, the "Video Conference"

function is tested by the Audio/Video Tuning

Wizard, supports most devices including DV cameras and

video card inputs and uses the same

functionality as Windows Messenger does.

The Video Conference and Audio/Video Tuning Wizard will

only be available on Windows XP (and

both you and your contact must be using Windows XP in

order for it to work). Assuming both

of you are using Windows XP, try using the Video

Conference feature instead, by clicking the

Actions menu within a conversation window and

choosing 'Start Video Conference'.