BT Broadband

Ready to turn your computer into a video phone? With a live, one-to-one video connection you can see your friends and family as well as hear them, anywhere in the world.

All you need is a web cam and a bit of software and you can set your video phone up in the time it takes to have a cup of tea.

So put the kettle on and find out just how easy it is to set up video chat with your BT Broadband connection and our step-by-step guide.

Print this page



	Get yourself a web cam

	Along with your BT Broadband connection, this is essential to set your computer up as a video phone.

	A web cam is a small video camera that plugs into your computer so you can broadcast live images using your broadband connection. Visit our Exclusive Offers section on www.bt.com/btbroadbandstart and you can get an exclusive 25 percent discount on a complete web cam package.

	If you haven't already got one, you'll need to set up an account with an instant messaging service, such as MSN Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger. This is so that you can connect to people who have the same instant messenger software with their web cam set-up.

	These instant messaging services are free.You can find the software simply by typing MSN Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger into an Internet search engine and following the links to the download page.



	Set up your web cam.

	First, plug in the web cam. Make sure that all the connections are secure.

	Now install the software that comes with the web cam. This is what you need to get the web cam talking to your computer. You'll probably need to restart your computer when the software is installed.

	Once you've restarted, connect to your BT Broadband service.



	Connect your web cam to the Internet.

	Now you have the web cam talking to your computer, you need to make your web cam connect to the Internet.

	You make a live video connection to your friends using the instant messaging software we mentioned you should install and set up in Step 1. The two most popular free instant messaging applications are Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger.

	Again, it's best to check and find out exactly what instant messaging software your friends are using and download the same application, otherwise it won't be possible for you to make a connection with them using the web cam.



	Open the instant messaging application to connect to your friends.

	You'll probably need to enter a few details to set up your messaging account. This is so you can connect with your friends listed in the instant messaging application directories.

	And now it's almost showtime!



	Connect with your friend.

	Select the name of your friend from the directory listing. You'll be able to see who's available to chat on your instant messaging network by using the directory service or looking at your list of available contacts.

	From the menu on your instant messenger window, select to begin a video chat meeting. Double-click into the name of your friend (or type in their email address) to invite them to a video chat. This will open an instant messaging conversation window that will request your friend to respond to your invite. If they accept, this will create a live video connection between you and your friend.

	Now you're in the picture, you've opened up a whole new world with BT Broadband.

Close window