Can anybody shed some light on this problem? Trying to use instant video chat via windows messenger for the first time last night, linking up with the in-laws in Spain. We could see and hear them for only a few seconds at a time, the image we received would move very quickley for a second or two then stop still like a photo; the sound was much the same - could hear their voices for a few seconds and then got what sounded like static.
I'm no expert but could it be that if they do not have broadband where they are then the information is compressed and thats what we're seeing - short bursts of info. I spoke to my brother in law earlier in the month about their lack of broadband but he said it shouldn't be a problem.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

If you're trying to hold a video AND audio chat over a broadband link it can be a bit hit and miss but if one or both ends is using a normal phone modem then yes, it's likely to get the sort of performance you're seeing.

You could try reducing the framerate on the video to a very low rate to get a better continuity but in all honesty broadband would be the only way to resolve the issue...

Hope that helps..

Alternatively get EyeBall Chat www.eyeballchat.com you can lower the resolution/framerate/audio quality etc to meet your needs.

MSN's Web Cam function sucks big time, it also doesn't work with a large amount of Internet Routers.