Hardware and Software Required for Videoconferencing over the Internet

FrenchSounds, LLC offers you live, one-on-one tutoring over the Internet through videoconferencing. To obtain good results, you must have broadband access to the Internet, such as a DSL or cable connection. FrenchSounds, LLC is connected to the Internet by a wide-band cable modem.

You will also need headphones and a microphone connected to your computer, which must be equipped with a full-duplex sound card. For one-way videoconferencing (from your Instructor to you), you do not need a video camera. However, two-way videoconferencing will require either an integrated camera or a simple videocam that plugs into a USB port on your computer.

Currently, FrenchSounds, LLC uses Skype™ as its main videoconferencing software. Skype™ is a well-known videoconferencing tool that works with both Mac and Windows. Point-to-point connections are safe and encrypted. The software is available for free, if you use it only for connections between computers. You can download the version of Skype™ you need (Mac or Windows) from http://www.skype.com.

If you are not yet familiar with videoconferencing software, FrenchSounds, LLC will be glad to assist you in setting up a trial conference.

If you have another type of conferencing software and want to know if it is supported, please click here to ask:

Skype™ is a trademark of Skype Limited.