Say what? Hooking the sound up

Posted by arlene

Almost every computer comes with speakers, which are connected to a sound board inside the computer. These speakers are what make the various noises that your programs make (like the “You’ve got mail!” announcement of AOL). Most sound boards also have a jack for a microphone. (Check your computer manual or ask almost any teenager for help with this.) If you don’t have a

microphone, you can get one that works with almost any computer. A mike should cost less than $20 at your local computer store or at online at stores like PC Connection (www . pcconnec t ion . com).

To test your mike and speakers on a Windows machine, run the Sound Recorder program; try recording yourself and playing it back.

1. Choose Start-All Programs-Accessories-Entertainment-Sound Recorder in Windows XP or Me.

2. Click the red Record button to start recording, and the square Stop button to stop.

Talk, sing, or make other noises in between your Start and Stop clicks.

3. Then click the triangular Play button to hear what you just recorded.

Click Record again to add onto the end of your recording. Choose File* New to start over and throw away what you recorded.

4. Choose File-Save to save it as a .WAV (audio) file.

We like to make .WAV recordings of our kids saying silly things and e-mail them — the recordings, not the kids — to their grandparents.

You can adjust the volume of your microphone (for the sound coming into the computer) and your speakers or headphones (for the sound coming out) by choosing Start-All Programs-Accessories-Entertainment-Volume Control. If a volume control for your microphone doesn’t appear, choose Options-Properties, click the Microsoft check box so that a check mark appears, and click OK.

If you want to test how voices from the Net sound on your computer, type the URL net . gurus . corn/ngc .wav into your browser and see what happens. You may need to click an Open or Open with Default Application button after it downloads. (Yes, that’s John’s mellifluous voice.)

If you can record yourself and hear the recording when you play it back, you’re ready for Internet-based phone calls or chats!

I see you!

If you want other people to be able to see you during online conversations, consider getting a webcam. This is a small digital-video camera that can connect to a computer. Webcams come in many sizes and shapes, and prices run from $50 to $500. More expensive webcams send higher-quality images at higher speeds, and come with better software. On the other hand, we’ve had great luck with a $60 webcam for chatting with friends and participating in videoconferences.

Most webcams connect to your computer’s USB port, a little rectangular plug on the back of the computer. Older computers don’t have USB ports. The better cameras connect to special video-capture cards, which you have to open your computer to install.

If you own a digital video camera for taking video of your family and friends, you may be able to connect it to your computer for use as a webcam. Check the manual that came with the camera.

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