January 1998

FIRST LOOKS

Say How-R-U With Video Email

The camera also has a built-in microphone which can record audio along with the video if you have a sound card. The PCI video capture card is Windows 95 plug and play compatible. Produce high quality two-minute videos with audio in a compressed executable file (an .exe extension). The recipient doesn't need special software to see the video. There's no unzipping or opening the video in Quick Time. Just run the file you were sent and voila, you have video email.

The kit comes with everything you need to start sending video emails in the box. It contains the Tekram model C210 PCI full-motion video capture card, the Desktop Color Camera from Phillips and VDOPhone video conferencing software.

The video card supports both full motion video and still image capture. It generates full screen (640 x 480) or window size displays on PC monitors. It's shipped with a TWAIN driver, and a full motion video playback utility.

The software is plain and simple to use. All of the important features are included. With the software you can pick the resolution and number of bits you want the video to be in. You can also adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation and hue.

An important feature, if you want smooth video, is the ability to drop the resolution and color depth. With this software you can experiment and find just the right combination of speed and picture quality you want in your video emails.

At $300, Tekram's How-R-U kit is a simple way to send video emails over the Internet. Just plug in the card, install the software and you're ready to go.

Once I had this equipment working I had loads of fun sending video email to my close friends and coworkers. I also used it to add a digital video to my own Web site.

I now find scanning my picture and sending it to my online buddies boring. Why send a picture when you can send a video complete with audio and a heck of a lot of personality?