Camera and Microphone Requirements

• We recommend the iREZ K2r web camera for PCs with USB 2 ports or the  iREZ KX web camera for PCs that have only USB 1ports, if you are not sure the iREZ KX camera works in both USB 1 and USB 2.0. These can be purchased, together with microphones, headsets and stands by clicking on our "Recommended Products Store" button. 

   For Users of FaceToFaceMeeting service outside of the USA, if the iREZ cameras are not available for distribution locally or cannot be shipped directly, we recommend the Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 for desktop PCs and the Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro for laptop PCs which should be available at retail stores.  These Logitech web cameras are USB 1 only and will work with both USB 1 and USB 2 ports.

  
  

• To produce the best quality FaceToFaceMeeting™ experience, you will need to have a separate, inexpensive, external, unidirectional microphone.  EVEN IF your web camera comes with a built-in microphone, you will achieve significantly better results with an external microphone.  External microphones are available at the national chain stores above for $10 or less, and are also available by clicking on our "Recommended Products Store" button above.

Headsets and Other Considerations

While Microsoft's XP operating system does contain acoustic echo cancellation, there is no echo cancellation in Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, or NT operating systems.  To overcome this lack of echo cancellation in Microsoft 98, 2000, and NT, FaceToFaceMeeting has included echo suppression in its software.  While this considerably improves the experience it does not entirely overcome it, and Windows 98, 2000, and NT users should consider using microphone headsets, which are available in the kits that can be purchased by clicking on our "Recommended Products Store" button above.

Microphone headsets are also very useful, and recommended during three to 10 person face-to-face video conferencing meetings.  This ensures that participants are not troubled through any avoidable echo that may emanate from one of the other participants’ systems.