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Videomail/WebCam

WebCam is an optional feature of SiteKiosk and included in the Plus and Pay licenses of SiteKiosk.
You can use the free trial version to test all features extensively. Please note that some shareware restrictions apply.
When used in combination with a webcam, SiteKiosk's email client allows you to send photo, voice, and video mail messages.
Important:
You must configure and enable the SiteKiosk email client before you can send multimedia files.
1. Overview of features
The actual challenge you face when you want to send video greetings by email is to keep the size of the data you are sending small and the related online costs for the recipient low.
The high compression rate of the videos (80 MB avi equals approx. 300 KB of video mail) is mainly achieved by means of modern compression codecs like the "Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V3," the "Windows Media Audio V2," or the "MPEG Audio Layer 3 Codec."
Here is what you can do with the webcam feature if you have a webcam and a microphone:
Video emails
Record videos and send them by email.
Photo emails
Take pictures and send them by email.
Voice messages
Make voice recordings and send them by email.
2. Charging for multimedia email messages
If using the payment module (except SiteCafe Manager), you can charge your users for sending multimedia email messages. You will find the settings for this option under Payment Module / Advanced / Service Rates.
3. System requirements
3.1 PC system
The webcam feature was developed to run on Windows Vista, 7, 8. If you want to take full advantage of this feature, your computer should at least meet the system requirements recommended here.
3.2 Necessary software components
We licensed the latest Microsoft technologies in order to achieve optimum file size and quality levels. While the actual compression of messages is performed with the help of Microsoft's DirectMedia technology and VfW (Video for Windows), Microsoft's DirectShow is used for both recording email messages and playing them back in the SiteKiosk email client.
The following software components have to be installed:

- Microsoft DirectX 8.0a or better
  http://www.microsoft.com/directx
- Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 or better
  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia
- Internet Explorer version 8 or better
  http://www.microsoft.com/ie

All the recipients of your emails messages need is Windows Media Player, which comes with almost all Windows operating systems. Files with the .exe extension will not be sent!
3.3 Webcams
You can basically use any ordinary webcam (e.g. made by Logitech, Phillips, Dexxacam (identical to Logitech)).
Whether a camera will work or not depends on the driver that ships with the device. Always download the most recent driver from the Web. However, if the newest driver does not work, try an older version.
Properly install the camera on your system following the manufacturer's instructions. Unless it works with the applications that shipped with it, the camera will most likely not work with SiteKiosk either.
Note:
We cannot guarantee that webcam you want to use will work without a problem with SiteKiosk. Please make sure that your camera works with the trial version of SiteKiosk before you use it with the paid version.
The following devices are known to cause problems:

- Creative Web Cam 3 USB
- Creative Web Cam 4 USB

Customers have found these cameras to work properly:

- Creative Web Cam 5 USB
- Logitech Web Cam Pro
- Microsoft Lifecam HD

4. Configuring the webcam feature
As you will not have to do more than simply turn on these checkboxes, configuring the webcam is a "ONE-CLICK" process in the majority of cases. SiteKiosk will detect the connected devices automatically. Additional adjustments will not be necessary in most cases.
4.1 Allow user to send video email
Provided your system meets the necessary requirements, you can tick this checkbox. If the box is checked, a button will automatically be displayed in the SiteKiosk email client, allowing the user to record videos.
The file format for the created videos is .asf.
4.2 Allow user to send photo email
Provided your system meets the necessary requirements, you can turn on this checkbox. A button will then be available in SiteKiosk's email client, allowing the user to take a picture and send it to a recipient.
The file format used for pictures is .jpg.
4.3 Allow user to send voicemail messages
Provided your system meets the necessary requirements (sound card and microphone), you can check this box. If the box is checked, a button will automatically be displayed in the SiteKiosk email client, allowing the user to record voice messages.
The file format used for sound recordings is .wav.
4.4 Source
SiteKiosk will automatically detect any existing (and properly operating) video sources(usually webcams). You can select the webcam of your choice if several webcams are connected to the system. In addition, you can adjust the settings for your preferred model below your selection.
SiteKiosk will automatically detect all existing (operational) audio sources. If several audio sources are available (such as webcam micro, sound card, etc.), you can select the audio source you want to use. In addition, you can adjust the settings for your preferred model below your selection.
Note:
If you want to use an external microphone for audio recordings, select your sound card as the audio source.
5. Advanced settings
The predefined settings should be sufficient for most applications.
5.1 Image size settings
The default image size used for recordings is 640x480 pixels. Use this option to scale the image to any size that is supported by your webcam.
5.2 Settings for audio/video recordings
The default length of video recordings is limited to 10 seconds, which, depending on the compression method used, translates to a file size of approx. 300 KB.
The default length of a sound recording is limited to 30 seconds, which corresponds to a file size of approx. 200 KB, depending on the compression method you use.
5.3 Custom compression settings
The actual challenge you face when you want to send video greetings by email is to keep the size of the data you are sending small and the related online costs for the recipient low.

The high compression rate of the videos (80 MB avi equals approx. 300 KB of video mail) is mainly achieved by means of modern compression codecs like the "Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V3," the "Windows Media Audio V2," or the "MPEG Audio Layer 3 Codec."

We recommend that you leave the preset compression as it is. If you select a different compression rate factor, be sure to take a look at the finished recording before sending it by email in order to make sure the quality and file size are to your satisfaction.

5.4 File saving settings
Turn this option on if you want to store copies of the media files you recorded on your local hard drive. The files are saved to the subfolders photos, videos, and voice in the directory ..\SiteKiosk\SiteCam\Recordings, where they will be stored for 30 days.
Note:
Please observe the legal requirements for storing this type of data that are applicable in your country.

See also

On-Screen Keyboard
Content Filter
Telephony (SIP)

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