How to Enable Video Chat On Facebook

In case you haven't heard, there's most definitely a battle taking place between Facebook as well as Google - as well as its only just started. With all the current hype and buzz walking around the Internet about Google+, Facebook determined that they had to take action to get back right into the spotlight; so they've now partnered with Skype to bring its customers video calling - How To Enable Video Chat On Facebook.

This suggests that you and also any of your friends can see each other face-to-face using your cams and chat using your voice. Seeing that Google+ simply came on the scene with their video talking function called Hangouts, this "brand-new" attribute on Facebook seems instead unoriginal. Yet, Facebook's video calling attribute is really very outstanding and also functions a little bit in different ways.

If you're like me, the majority of your non-tech savvy relative and non-geeky friends have not even come across Google+; if they have found out about it, more than likely they're not willing to try it out. So that indicates you're stuck still using Facebook as well as may also welcome the new attributes (because there will most definitely be more to come in this war) with open arms.


How To Enable Video Chat On Facebook


Allow's have a look at the best ways to allow as well as make use of Facebook's new video chat.

Getting going

Prior to you could start video calling your friends, you will certainly should enable it. This can be done by going to the Facebook Video Calling page as well as clicking on the green "Get Started" switch. You'll then be triggered to download as well as run the Java application needed to utilize this attribute. Don't worry, this is an extremely quick process.


Note: The alternative to use this new feature is not readily available for everybody. When I asked my partner to go to the web page, he was not able to see the green switch. It mentioned that the function had not been yet offered to him. In this situation you'll require somebody who can access the feature to launch a video call with you. From there, they'll be triggered to install and run the Java application.


How to Call A Friend



There are two means to call your friends.

First Method

You can enter into a chat home window and also click the camera icon from the top bar of the home window. This technique lets you call any of your friends.

If they haven't made it possible for the attribute, they'll be motivated to do so. If they typically aren't on-line, you'll be able to leave them a video message.

Second Approach

The various other method is by clicking the "call" button on your pal's account web page. The "call" button will appear appropriate beside the message switch, in the top right of their account page.

If you happen to call them as well as they're offline, you'll have the ability to leave a video message.


Note: The "call" button will only appear if you're signed right into Facebook chat and if that friend has the featured enabled. So if you don't see a phone call button, you'll need to make use of the very first approach to make sure that they'll be motivated to enable the attribute.

Setup as well as Quality

The high quality of the video chat is pretty remarkable. I have actually attempted Google+ Hangouts as well and I have to confess that the quality of the camera was not nearly as clear as Facebook's video calls. There also weren't virtually as many "hiccups" (i.e. window cold or hold-ups).

If you have actually done a video chat in Skype, then you'll identify the arrangement; there is a little home window in the leading right edge of the primary home window so that you can see on your own. Once you're made with a phone call, you can simply close the window to end it.

Below is the camera sight without the controls. The home window can be enlarged, however this is the tiniest size. Also at complete screen sight, the quality continued to be excellent.


Here is the camera view with the controls. While I am composing this on Windows, I did examination out the feature on the Mac OS. So, your home window may look a little different from mine. The only option available below is to alter the source of your microphone (i.e. net or headset).


Final Thoughts

I do want that there were more alternatives. For example, there is presently no other way to silence your microphone from the video call window; so you would certainly should enter into your computer system setups to do this or make use of the mute switch on your headset (if it has one).

Also, unlike Google+ Hangouts, there is presently no chance to do team video chats-- something that makes certain ahead in useful for catching up with numerous friends and family, team projects, meetings, conferences, as well as more. In the meantime, you can still use Skype for that. Considering that every person is currently on Facebook as well as are not likely to really download Skype (if they have not currently), this is absolutely something that must be carried out ASAP. However, you can do group text talks within the regular chat window.

What are your thoughts on Facebook's brand-new video calling attribute? Do you think it's a needed function? Is it something that you can see on your own and/or family and friends making use of in any way? Feel free to tell us your ideas in the comments listed below.