Facebook VideoCalling Feature Reviewed

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced last week that the company had planned to “…launch something awesome” this week. Finally we know what he meant by saying this. Facebook has unveiled a new feature that allows you to make video calls right from your browser, just like Google+ does It with its Hangout feature. It was in news that something was cooking between Facebook and Skype, and now we know what that was.

The new video calling feature has been made possible with the partnership between FB and Skype. Now, don’t worry because you don’t need to install Skype but a small add-in will do the job of integrating Skype video calling feature within your browser. On the hardware front, you need a webcam, a headset or speakers and a microphone. Off course this is what a basic hardware need to do any video calling.

How To Set-UP?
Open http://www.facebook.com/videocalling.
You will be directed to the main page which has a video explaining the feature.



Get Started button on the left of the screen will let you start the feature.
A chat window will pop up on the right hand side, listing all your online Facebook contacts.

Click on one of them to proceed.



If this method does not suit you, Try out this alternate method:

You can start the chat directly from your online friend's profile by clicking on the Call button located on the right hand side of the screen near the top.



After chat window is open, click on the camera icon to initiate a video call.



For first time users Set up Video Calling?



Dialogue is necessary. Click on Set Up to continue.

When prompted, install plug-in. This will help you integrate with Skype video calling feature.



Once the installation is complete, the call is made automatically.
If your friend does not have this plugin he will be prompted to install the same. After he finishes installing the plug-in, the call gets connected.

As the feature is still in Beta stages please don’t expect smooth ride. You can expect few roadblocks before finally getting connected.
But finally when it once it works, you are going to get addicted to it. Your friends can be seen in a large video window, while a smaller thumbnail of your video feed can be seen near a corner of this window, which is similar to the Skype video chat window. The overall quality is satisfactory, but not that good as Skype. Audio quality is as good as Skype.

Posted in: How-Tos