Getting started with Voip.

[blue-eye-boy]

In 2 months time I want to start with voip, and I've never even bothered to learn how it works, so I'm a complete noob on this. My sus is going to Australia, and we will need this to communicate. Now can someone please guide me on a few things?

1. Voice only will be okay, but can I use a webcam too for video?
2. How much bandwidth do I need for one call, with voice only, and with both
voice and video? And which one work better, mobile or adsl?
3. Do I need a provider, or can I just download and use some program?
4. Is it a must to get a voip phone, or will a mic and webcan do?

Thanks in advance

 

[blue-eye-boy]

No one?

 

[mobidick]

firstly you will have use a provider for voice (there are many, i will PM you)
Many providers offer a softphone with webcam, so you can use the webcam as well.

 

[LazyLion]

1. Voice only will be okay, but can I use a webcam too for video?

Skype is highly recommended! It supports message chat, voice and video. Go to http://www.Skype.com/

2. How much bandwidth do I need for one call, with voice only, and with both
voice and video? And which one work better, mobile or adsl?

I strongly suggest you get ADSL. Will be better from both a cost and stability standpoint. Start with the standard 3Gig a month package, it should be just fine for both voice and video up to an hour a day. Then gauge it the first month to see how much bandwidth you are using. You can use both the online ADSL gauge and a tool called "NetLimiter Monitor" to check your bandwidth usage (remember bandwidth usage includes both upload and download).

3. Do I need a provider, or can I just download and use some program?

Skype will be your VOIP provider if both you and your sister are using it. If you want to call her at her landline or mobile you will have to purchase credits in increments of up to 20 euros.

4. Is it a must to get a voip phone, or will a mic and webcan do?

Some type of USB device is highly recommended also. You can start with the mic, but will quickly become frustrated. A generic USB phone (about R150) or a logitech USB headset (R400) should serve you well. Any webcam will do, but the cheaper ones struggle in darker lighting. A better quality webcam (R500 and higher) will give you better resolution and better lighting tolerance.

Hope it goes well... shout if you have any more questions!

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Hell thanks. This helps a lot too. Tell me, so if I do it through skype, it doesn't cost me anything, apart from the internet costs?
I wont call her every day (dont like her that much), so I doubt that 3 gig will be my option. How much data do you think will I use to make an 30 minute call, voice and video?
In my area Mtn is fairly good. You think that might perhaps do? Say 1 gig a month?

 

[HavocXphere]

2 hours voice is about ~50-70mb if I remember correctly. Video just made the voice quality worse last time I tried video (Ask her to switch it off too on her side)

Rumour has it that the quality is better if the foreign dude/dudette calls the SA dude.

I'd recommend adsl over 3g for VOIP. Cheaper & more stable.

The most important part of a VOIP setup is imo the microphone....best clarity is achieved with a headphone style mic. Most soundcards have noise cancellation these days too, which helps if you want to use a standing mic.

 

[blue-eye-boy]

Okay, will the slowest speed adsl (think its 384kb) work then, or must it be faster.

 

[Shake&Bake]

384kb will be just fine - I've used Skype for video calling to London and not had any issue with it

 

[Shake&Bake]

Just thinking now - I wonder how the Neotel users are finding VOIP?

 

[LazyLion]

Hell thanks. This helps a lot too. Tell me, so if I do it through skype, it doesn't cost me anything, apart from the internet costs?
I wont call her every day (dont like her that much), so I doubt that 3 gig will be my option. How much data do you think will I use to make an 30 minute call, voice and video?
In my area Mtn is fairly good. You think that might perhaps do? Say 1 gig a month?

Yes, if you do it Skype to Skype it is free. You only pay for whatever internet or data charges it costs you to connect to the internet.

Like was said above, ADSL is preferred. In our experience, talking over 3G connections is more expensive and more erratic. Even with ADSL you will sometimes get a dropped call or pauses, but not as many as with the 3G.

I would strongly suggest you go with an ADSL 2 or 3 Gig package to start with. But you can try MTN first since it won't cost you much to set that up.