Messenger / Video

[KPB]

I have Concord 3in1 Mini cam. It works GREAT with NetMeeting, with EyeBall
Chat, with Yahoo, with virtually ANY video/cam application. It WILL NOT
work with Messenger. The Audio/Video Tuning Wizard will always state
"Camera Error" "The camera you selected is not working properly, or may be
in use by another program. Please click Back to try again, or to select a
different camera". This is JUST NOT so.There are NO other applications
using the camera, and the camera does work with all these other programs. I
know the error is with Messenger, I would like to know if there is a fix or
patch or work-around or update/upgrade to correct this problem. Our family
really does prefer to use the Messenger service over and above all other
chat services out there. (I am sure I am NOT alone in this).

Waiting.....

KPB

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings KPB,

A lot of these "3 in 1", "multiuse" etc. cameras simply do not work with Messenger . Among
other issues, Messenger does not support cameras which don't use the RGB standard (ie. the
XJPG standard won't work). Whereas, other applications will, hence why you're seeing this
error.

The only thing I can suggest is that you might try looking for newer drivers that may support
Messenger, although it's not that likely that these are available. You can also check
WindowsUpdate's driver section:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

Finally, there is one patch available which can fix some of these issues, although if you
have Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed and/or have kept up-to-date with Windows Updates,
you probably already have this:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310507.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[KPB]

Greetings Jonathan Kay,

That sounds like a very "thin" explanation. Seems to me this is a
"Cop-Out". If this other, XJPG standard as you say, is the reason why my
camera won't work, yet is virtually the industry standard with all other
WebCam/Video applications, I feel that Microsoft has made the error here in
NOT supporting the XJPG, (If that is truly the reason my camera will not
function using Messenger). Even after receiving the Camera Error during
Audio/Video Tuning Wizard I AM able to see an image from my camera upon
performing the Web Camera Setting function. This tends to be intermittent,
and I have never been able to broadcast my cam over the internet through
Messenger.

It is in my opinion that Microsoft was short sighted when designing
Messenger and it's video support functions and should correct these errors
to the betterment of the product. failing that, at least put back the link
that allows access to NetMeeting from Messenger as it was in earlier
versions. All users with Windows XP have NetMeeting inherent in their
system, and most don't even know it exists. To reinstate this function
would also solve a lot of issues. (ie. the RGB standard vs the XJPG standard
to say the least).

I don't feel that the world should be forced to buy one type of hardware
simply to operate within one application when other hardware will operate in
dozens of applications all doing virtually the same task. I really feel
that Microsoft blew it here and the ball is in their court to rectify the
situation.

I truly hope they make the right choice.


KPB