Hello

I am emigrating to Perth in April and wanted to leave my PC behind to give to my mum so we could chat to each other on Skype and see each other on webcam. However, she has never used a computer in her life and is resisting this idea, despite having a husband who had some idea of using one.

Probably a very stupid question but I was just wondering, in this technologically advanced world, is it possible to link up with a webcam without using a PC, something that can perhaps be plugged into an ordinary phone line.

I keep telling her that although it will be tough being apart, it makes things so much easier being able to see each other than just hearing each other's voice.

Am interested to hear if such a gadget exists. Many thanks.

This'll get moved. But before it does I'll make a suggestion.

You can get Skype phones but I'm not sure how they work. What you can certainly do is put a webcam on a router and access it from a remote PC. You'll need a router with a USB port, or a network web cam.

Your big problem is that your mum won't be able to see very much without a PC.

I suggest you get her a MacBook. She won't have a problem.

The real issue is that your mum doesn't want to learn how to use a computer.

You need to convince her that computers are not evil otherwise your webcam idea may struggle.

Mothers + computers = pushing water uphill

I'm sure there is a way of doing this. I've been looking to no avail. I think I remember seeing something where you hook your tv up to the phone line. Although I feel you would need a router at the very minimum. Which I assume would have to mean an Internet connection.

However all is not lost.

Look at a 3 mobile telephone with video conferencing. Tis slighty pricey though..... although that may only work in Major cities.





Mods move this thread to the Lab, the OP will get more help in there. Query the Cisco IP phone ?

This can be done where a webcam goes directly into a router of sorts and goes directly to a website , they use the same deal with security cameras, so if they nick your puter you still images available of the offender.

I reckon your looking at 500 to 1000 dollars for a decent camera and everything else.

However doing the reverse is harder, at some point mumsy would have to cope with some sort of technology...

Hi to everyone

Just wanted to thank you very much. I must admit I'm not that great with technology myself and a straightforward link to a webcam through my laptop that I want to leave behind still seems the simplest thing to me. I think I will leave it with my mum as I have use of my hubby to be's computer over in Perth, and hopefully one day I will convince mum to get of storage, dust it off and fire it up and have a go.

My sister who also lives in Perth and I would be more than happy to pay for a monthly internet connection but I think my mum must be the most stubborn mum to ever walk the planet. She will not be moved. I cxan only hope that once I have been gone a few months I might be able to turn her round to my way of thinking.

Thanks again for all your advice. xx

Something like the D-Link DVC-2000 VideoPhone, not sure if this is available outside USA though.



No computer needed, but it does need broadband.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=dvc-2000



or, in Australia, the DVC-1000, to turn your TV into a Broadband Videophone.

http://www.dlink.com.au/Products.asp...Sub2=14&PID=91

That's brilliant. Many thanks - good to now that there are alternatives.