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Setting up a video chat in Gmail

The chat feature in Gmail allows you to have a video conference with another Gmail user. To use the video chat feature in TU Gmail, you need to have a webcam and install the Gmail voice and video plug-in. You can then send a chat invitation to any of your contacts who have also installed the plug-in for Gmail or their personal Gmail account.

Note: When using any video chat program, it is important to follow basic security practices such as:

  • Verifying that your video chat program is turned off when you finish a chat session.
  • Accepting a chat invitation only from someone you know.

In addition, some webcams include a modesty shield which you can flip down to cover the lens. For added security, you can also disconnect your webcam after a chat session.

The following instructions provide Gmail video chat information:

Note: Google is in the process of introducing a new view of Gmail. The following instructions apply to the previous view.

To install the voice and video plug-in:
1. Log in to your TU Gmail account.
2. Click the Gear icon and then select Labs. Gear icon
3. Click Chat. chat
4. In the Chat window, go to "Voice and video chat" and click Learn more. learn more
5. Then click Install voice and video chat. install
6. At the Application Run window, click Run to install the plug in. run
7. Click Restart Browsers Now. restart
8. Log in to your TU Gmail account.
9. A prompt to run Google Talk ActiveX Plug in from 'Google Inc' displays at the top of the TU Gmail window. Click on the message and select Run Add-on. run add-on
To check the webcam settings  
1. Click Settings > Chat > Verify your settings. verify settings

2. If you do not want your chats saved, go to "My chat history" and select Never save chat history.

Next, go to "Verify your settings" and check your video, microphone, and audio settings. In addition, you can change the default settings for Chat options such as auto-add suggested contacts, sounds, emoticons, and AIM.

Note: If your webcam includes a video chat service, such as the Logitech Vid service, go to Settings and turn off the option to have the software automatically load at Startup. Some manufacturers automatically log you in to use their service which interferes with Gmail video chat.

Finally, click Save Changes.

 

 verify settings
To start a chat session  

1. If your status is Invisible, go to Chat, click the down arrow next to Invisible and select Available.

 available

2. To invite a contact to a video chat, place the cursor on the name of the contact and select Video & more > Start video chat. An audio signal alerts your contact that you are initiating a chat session and a chat window displays. The invitee has the option to accept or ignore the request.

A green camera icon (camera) displays next to your name and next to each contact who has also installed the video plug-in and is available to chat.

A red camera icon (red camera) indicates that your contact has set the status to "Busy." If you initiate a chat session, the following message displays:
"Username is busy. You may be interrupting."

 invite
To end a chat session  

To end a chat session, click End. The following message confirms that you ended the chat:

"You ended the video chat with contact name at time.

  

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